| Free check | Full check, £9.99 coming soon | |
|---|---|---|
| MOT history and advisories | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mileage timeline with drops flagged | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tax and MOT status | ✓ | ✓ |
| EV battery health and range guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance | – | ✓ |
| Insurance write-off (Cat A, B, S, N) | – | ✓ |
| Stolen (Police National Computer) | – | ✓ |
| Scrapped or exported | – | ✓ |
| Previous keepers, plate and colour changes | – | ✓ |
Why outstanding finance matters
On hire purchase and most PCP deals, the finance company owns the car until the last payment. If the seller sells it before settling, the car can be taken back, and getting your money back from the seller is your problem.
It's more common than people think on nearly-new EVs, because so many are bought on PCP and sold before the deal ends.
What our finance check shows
Every finance agreement still registered against the car: the type of agreement, the finance company and when it started. The same report checks write-offs, stolen records and scrap and export markers too.
- Outstanding financeWhether a finance company still owns the car.
- Insurance write-offCategory A, B, S or N, and when the loss happened.
- StolenChecked against the Police National Computer.
- Scrapped or exportedFrom the DVLA record.
- Previous keepersHow many, and when it last changed hands.
- Plate and colour changesSo you can match the V5C to the car.
If the check finds finance
- 1Don't hand over any money yet.
- 2Ask the seller for a settlement letter from the finance company showing the amount owed.
- 3Pay the finance company directly to clear it, and the seller the rest, or walk away.
- 4Run the check again before you collect the car to make sure it's gone.
Questions
How much is a car finance check?
£9.99 for the full history check, which includes finance, write-off, stolen, scrapped and exported checks, keepers and plate changes.
Can I check for finance for free?
There's no free source of finance data in the UK: it comes from the finance companies' shared register, which is why every finance check costs something. Our MOT and mileage check is free.
Does a private seller have to tell me about finance?
They shouldn't sell a car that's still on finance without settling it, but some do. A check is the only way to know.
More checks before you buy
Check a car now
The MOT and mileage check is free and takes seconds.