Safe Car Check
UK Vehicle Checks Explained
Five checks, one report. Here is what each one looks at, where the data comes from, and why it matters before you hand over any money.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
Outstanding Finance Check
Source: UK finance lenders (HP, PCP, lease, conditional sale)
Around a third of used cars are sold with finance still owing. Until it is settled the lender owns the car and can repossess it from you.
Read about this checkStolen Vehicle Check
Source: Police National Computer (PNC)
A stolen car can be seized by the police after you buy it, and you lose both the car and the money you paid.
Read about this checkInsurance Write-Off Check
Source: MIAFTR register (Category A, B, S and N)
Some write-offs are repaired well, others hide structural damage. Either way the history affects safety and resale value.
Read about this checkMileage Check
Source: MOT odometer readings and other recorded mileages
Clocked cars look newer than they are. Anomalies between recorded readings are flagged on a chart so you can see them at a glance.
Read about this checkMOT History Check
Source: DVSA MOT History (official government records)
Every test result, failure reason and advisory, so you know what has been fixed, what has been ignored, and what is coming next.
Read about this checkNot sure what to look for when viewing a car? Read the car history guide or see how we compare with HPI, the AA, RAC and others.
Frequently asked
Are all of these checks included in one report?
Yes. Every Safe Car Check report includes the outstanding finance, stolen, insurance write-off, mileage and full MOT history checks, plus vehicle specifications and a plain-English risk summary, for £4.99. There are no tiers that leave checks out.
Which check matters most when buying a used car?
Outstanding finance and stolen status, because those are the two that can cost you the whole car. Write-off, mileage and MOT history tell you whether the price is fair and what repairs to expect.
Can I run these checks for free?
The MOT history is free on GOV.UK and a Safe Car Check report uses the same official DVSA data. Finance, stolen and insurance write-off records are not available free of charge from any public source, which is why a paid history check exists.
Run Every Check in One Go
Enter a registration on the homepage and get all five checks, vehicle specs and a plain-English summary in a PDF within seconds.
Check a Vehicle Now£9.99 Just £4.99 - instant PDF report
