What you'll see
- Every known fault for that specific make and model
- Severity rating: dangerous, major, moderate, minor or advisory
- UK repair costs at independent garages
- UK repair costs at main dealers
- Which generations and years are affected
- MOT failure rate for that model
- Common MOT defect categories
Why check a car's known faults before buying?
Every car model has weak points. Some are minor inconveniences that cost a few hundred pounds to sort. Others are catastrophic failures that can write off an engine or compromise safety. The difference between a good used car purchase and an expensive mistake often comes down to whether you knew about these faults before handing over the money.
Our faults database covers 729 models and thousands of individual faults, each rated by severity and priced at UK garages. When you enter a registration, we identify the exact make and model from DVLA records and show you every documented issue for that car. You will see what goes wrong, how serious it is, and what the repair typically costs. This is information that most buyers only discover after the purchase, when the bill arrives.
Take timing chain failures as an example. On some models, replacing a timing chain is a straightforward £400 job. On others, the chain sits at the rear of the engine and the entire engine must be removed, turning it into a £3,000 repair. Both cars might look identical in a classified advert. Our faults check tells you which one you are looking at before you commit.
Our free check includes detailed fault data alongside the standard history checks. We show you what actually goes wrong with the car mechanically, not just its history. We compile our data from manufacturer technical service bulletins, DVSA MOT defect statistics, specialist workshop feedback and verified owner reports.
Whether you are buying your first car or your twentieth, checking the known faults for any model you are considering should be standard practice. Five minutes with our free check could save you thousands in unexpected repairs.
Recalls vs known faults: understanding the difference
There is an important distinction between safety recalls and known faults, and understanding it helps you make better buying decisions.
Safety recalls
A recall is issued by the manufacturer when a defect poses a genuine safety risk: faulty airbags, brake failures, fire risks, steering defects or fuel leaks. The manufacturer must fix any recall free of charge, regardless of the car's age, mileage or where you bought it. A recall stays outstanding until a franchised dealer completes the work and logs it. You can check for outstanding recalls free on the GOV.UK recall checker.
Known faults
Known faults are common problems reported by owners and workshops that have not triggered a formal recall. A model may have a well-documented timing chain issue, turbo failure or gearbox problem that the manufacturer has never officially recalled. These are the faults that catch buyers off guard because they are not in any official database.
What severity ratings mean
- Dangerous - a safety risk that could cause an accident or injury. Repairs should not be delayed.
- Serious - a significant mechanical or electrical problem. Expensive to fix and will worsen if ignored.
- Moderate - a known weakness that is inconvenient and moderately expensive to fix.
- Minor - a common niggle that is cheap to fix or can be lived with.
- Advisory - worth knowing about but unlikely to cause problems in the short term.
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)
Some manufacturers quietly issue TSBs that acknowledge known issues and provide fix procedures without issuing a formal recall. These are not publicly searchable but franchised dealers can look them up by VIN. If you are considering a specific car, ask the dealer to check for TSBs.
Frequently asked questions
How many car models are covered?
Our faults database covers 729 car models from all major manufacturers sold in the UK. This includes mainstream brands like Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Toyota through to premium marques like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Jaguar. Each model has its own set of documented faults with severity ratings and UK repair costs.
Where does the faults data come from?
We compile fault data from multiple sources: manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSBs), DVSA MOT defect statistics showing which components fail most often on each model, specialist workshop feedback from garages that work on specific marques, and verified owner reports. Every fault is cross-referenced before being added to the database.
What do the severity ratings mean?
We rate every fault on a five-point scale. Dangerous means the fault can directly compromise vehicle safety or cause catastrophic mechanical failure. Major means expensive repairs are likely and the car may become undriveable. Moderate means significant work is needed but the car remains safe. Minor means low-cost repairs or reduced functionality. Advisory means the issue is worth knowing about but rarely causes problems.
How accurate are the repair cost estimates?
Our repair costs reflect typical UK garage prices and are shown as ranges to account for regional variation. We provide separate estimates for independent garages and main dealers. Independent garages are typically 30% to 50% cheaper for the same work. Actual costs will depend on your location, the specific garage and whether parts are genuine or aftermarket.
Can I check faults for any car by registration?
You can check any car registered in Great Britain. Enter the registration number and we identify the make and model from DVLA records, then show you the corresponding faults from our database. If the model is not yet in our database, we will show you the DVLA details and MOT history instead.
Is this really free?
Yes. The faults check is completely free with no sign-up, no email address and no payment details required. We also offer paid checks for finance, stolen and write-off status (£7.49) and full dealer service history (£6.99) for buyers who want the complete picture.
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Faults data compiled from manufacturer TSBs, DVSA MOT defect statistics, specialist workshop data and verified owner reports. Vehicle identification from DVLA. Last updated September 2026.