Vehicle identity
Match the registration and available vehicle details with the advert, V5C and physical car.
USED CAR CHECK UK
Used-car checks before buying: history, documents and condition
A used-car advert tells you what the seller wants you to know. UKVEC helps you check the records behind the vehicle, identify questions to ask and decide whether it is worth pursuing.
Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99
Free first look · No account required
WHAT TO CHECK
The checks that matter before buying a used car
Use the registration to screen the vehicle first, then verify provenance, documents, condition and seller before committing money.
MOT and mileage history
Review failures, advisories and recorded mileage for patterns that deserve closer inspection.
Outstanding finance
Check for a licensed finance marker before paying a seller who may not own the car outright.
Stolen status
Treat any stolen marker as a serious warning and stop the purchase until it is independently resolved.
Write-off history
Understand any recorded insurance category and investigate repair quality, evidence and resale implications.
Seller and documents
Verify the seller's identity, V5C details, VIN, service history and supporting invoices before purchase.
A used-car check should lead to better questions
The goal is not simply to collect data. Use each result to decide what to ask the seller, what evidence to request and what to inspect at the viewing.
- Why has the same MOT advisory appeared repeatedly?
- Can you show evidence that the previous defect was repaired?
- If finance is shown, how and when will it be settled?
- If the vehicle was written off, who repaired it and what inspection evidence exists?
Do not let a clean report replace an inspection
A data report can only reflect information available from its sources. It cannot reveal every unrecorded accident, mechanical problem or poor repair, so inspect the car and documents carefully.
FREE VS FULL
Start free. Go deeper only when the car is worth pursuing.
Free UKVEC first look
- Vehicle identity details
- MOT status and history
- Recorded mileage signals
Full UKVEC Report — £5.99
- Outstanding finance markers
- Stolen markers
- Insurance write-off markers
- Buyer-focused provenance review
Missing supplier data is shown as unavailable rather than treated as a clean result. UKVEC is a data-based buyer aid, not a mechanical inspection or guarantee of vehicle condition.
BUYER ACTION
Check the vehicle before money changes hands
Start with the free UKVEC first look. If the vehicle is worth pursuing, unlock the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report for licensed provenance checks where supplied by the provider.
Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99
COMMON QUESTIONS
Buyer FAQs
What should I check before buying a used car?
Check the vehicle identity, MOT and mileage history, finance, stolen and write-off provenance, V5C, VIN, service records, seller identity and physical condition.
Is the first UKVEC check free?
Yes. The first-look vehicle and MOT view is free to run by registration.
What is included in the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report?
It adds licensed provenance checks such as finance, stolen and write-off markers where supplied by the provider, alongside the buyer-focused report view.
Should I check a car before or after viewing it?
Run the free check before travelling. If the vehicle remains a serious candidate, complete the full provenance check before committing money.
Can UKVEC guarantee a car is safe to buy?
No. UKVEC is a data-based buyer aid, not a mechanical inspection, legal guarantee or substitute for checking the vehicle yourself.
What if some supplier data is unavailable?
UKVEC shows unavailable data as unavailable rather than interpreting a missing response as a clean result.
MORE UKVEC CHECKS