Get Car Wise

What is Carwise?

Carwise is a UK used car check service that gives you everything you need to know about a vehicle before you buy it. Enter any UK registration number and get an instant vehicle history report covering MOT history, mileage analysis, known model faults, safety recalls, running costs and more.

Whether you are buying your first car, comparing two vehicles on a dealer forecourt or browsing listings online, a Carwise report helps you spot problems that sellers may not mention and gives you the confidence to make a smart purchase.

We built Carwise because existing car check services tell you whether a car has been stolen or written off, but they do not tell you what is actually likely to go wrong with that specific make and model. Carwise does both.

What does a Carwise vehicle check include?

Every Carwise report pulls live data from official UK government sources and cross-references it with our own database of known car faults covering over 1,700 model-specific issues.

Free report

Our free car check gives you a quick overview before you even go to view the car:

• Vehicle identity and specification from the DVLA
• MOT history summary with pass/fail record
• Known faults for that exact make, model and engine type
• Current road tax and MOT status
• Carwise Score rating (0 to 100)
• Personalised buyer inspection checklist
• Safety recall check via DVSA records

Full report (premium)

The full vehicle history check at just £9.99 adds:

• Stolen vehicle check against the Police National Computer
• Outstanding finance check to avoid buying a car with debt attached
• Insurance write-off check (Category A, B, S and N)
• Mileage verification with anomaly detection across the full MOT timeline
• Detailed owner history with keeper tenure and V5C change dates
• Market valuation estimates
• Full MOT history analysis with recurring issue detection and advisory trends
• Annual running cost breakdown (fuel, tax, insurance, servicing, tyres)
• Vehicle performance data and full technical specifications

How is Carwise different from an HPI check?

A traditional HPI check tells you whether a car has been stolen, written off or has outstanding finance. That matters, but it only covers a fraction of what you need to know before handing over your money.

Carwise includes all of those essential vehicle history checks, plus things that other services do not offer:

Think of it as a car history check, vehicle inspection guide and used car buying guide all in one report. See how it works or read our FAQ for more details.

Where does the data come from?

Carwise does not guess. Every report is built from verified, official data sources:

• DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) for vehicle registration details, tax status, fuel type, colour, engine size and year of manufacture
• DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) for the complete MOT test history, including every pass, fail, advisory, dangerous item and odometer reading
• Vehicle history providers for stolen, finance and write-off checks against the Police National Computer, major UK finance houses and insurance records
• Carwise database with over 1,700 verified known faults compiled from manufacturer bulletins, owner reports, specialist forums and workshop data

We pull live data at the time of your request. Nothing is cached or out of date.

Who is Carwise for?

Private buyers

Buying a used car is one of the biggest purchases most people make outside of a house. A Carwise report helps you avoid problem cars, spot red flags in the MOT history, understand what is likely to need replacing and negotiate a better price with evidence.

First-time buyers

If you have never bought a car before, knowing what to look for can feel overwhelming. The personalised buyer checklist tells you exactly what to inspect, what questions to ask the seller and what warning signs to watch for on that specific make and model.

Parents buying for their children

Helping your son or daughter buy their first car? A Carwise vehicle check gives you peace of mind that the car is not stolen, does not have hidden finance, has a clean MOT record and is not known for expensive problems.

Anyone comparing cars

Looking at a few options and not sure which one to go for? Run a free car check on each and compare the Carwise Scores, running costs and known issues side by side.

What checks should you do before buying a used car?

Before buying any second-hand car in the UK, you should check:

• Is the car stolen? A stolen vehicle check confirms the car is not recorded on the Police National Computer. If you unknowingly buy a stolen car, it can be seized and you lose your money.
• Is there outstanding finance? If the previous owner took out finance on the car and has not fully paid it off, the finance company may still legally own the vehicle. An outstanding finance check protects you from inheriting someone else's debt.
• Has it been written off? An insurance write-off check reveals whether the car was previously declared a total loss. Category S (structural damage) and Category N (non-structural damage) cars can be repaired and resold, but you should know about it and inspect accordingly.
• Has the mileage been tampered with? Mileage clocking is still common in the UK. Comparing odometer readings across the full MOT history timeline helps spot suspicious drops or inconsistencies.
• What is the MOT history like? A detailed MOT check shows every advisory, failure and dangerous item. Recurring issues like corrosion, brake wear or suspension problems can signal an expensive car to maintain.
• What problems is this model known for? Every car has its weak points. Checking known faults for that specific make, model and engine helps you know what to look for during a viewing and what future repair costs to budget for.
• Are there any outstanding safety recalls? Manufacturer safety recalls are serious. Check whether the vehicle has any unresolved recalls that could affect your safety on the road.

A Carwise report covers all of the above in a single check that takes less than 60 seconds.

Popular used car checks

Carwise covers all UK-registered vehicles. Some of the most commonly checked makes include:

Our known faults database covers hundreds of makes and models with fuel-type-specific issues, so whether you are looking at a diesel BMW 320d or a petrol Ford Fiesta, you will get relevant information for that exact variant.