How to check a used car before you buy it

Carwise makes it simple to check any UK vehicle in under 60 seconds. No account needed, no complicated forms. Just enter a registration number and get a full vehicle intelligence report covering everything from MOT history and known faults to mileage analysis and a personalised buyer checklist.

Three steps to a smarter purchase

1

Enter the registration number

Type any UK vehicle registration number into the search box on the Carwise homepage. You do not need to create an account or sign up. Works with cars, vans, motorcycles and any vehicle registered with the DVLA.

2

We pull live data from official sources

Carwise queries the DVLA, DVSA and vehicle history databases in real time. We cross-reference the results with our known faults database of over 1,700 model-specific issues to build a report that is specific to that exact car.

3

Review your report

Your full vehicle intelligence report is delivered in your browser in under 60 seconds. A PDF copy is emailed to you. Use the Carwise Score, known faults and buyer checklist to make an informed decision about whether to proceed, negotiate or walk away.

Where does the data come from?

Every Carwise report is built from verified, official data sources. Nothing is cached or outdated.

DVLA

Vehicle registration, make, model, colour, engine size, fuel type, tax status, year of manufacture

DVSA

Complete MOT test history with every pass, fail, advisory, dangerous item and odometer reading

History providers

Stolen vehicle, outstanding finance and insurance write-off checks via Police National Computer and UK finance databases

Carwise database

Over 1,700 known faults compiled from manufacturer bulletins, owner reports, forums and workshop data

What you get in a Carwise report

Free report

A quick overview you can check before even going to view the car:

✓Vehicle identity from DVLA

✓MOT history summary

✓Known faults for that model

✓Current tax and MOT status

✓Carwise Score (0 to 100)

✓Personalised buyer checklist

✓Safety recall check

Premium report - £9.99

The full picture, covering everything you need before making an offer:

✓Everything in the free report

✓Stolen vehicle check

✓Outstanding finance check

✓Write-off check (Cat A/B/S/N)

✓Mileage verification

✓Detailed owner history

✓Market valuation estimates

✓Full MOT analysis with trends

✓Annual running costs

✓Full vehicle specifications

Read more about what is included on our about page, or check our FAQ for common questions.

Tips for checking a used car

Check before you visit. Run a free Carwise report before travelling to view the car. If the MOT history shows recurring problems or the Carwise Score is low, you may want to reconsider.
Take the checklist with you. The personalised buyer checklist is tailored to that exact car. Print it or keep it on your phone and work through it during the viewing.
Look at the MOT advisories. Advisory items are not failures, but they show what is wearing. If the same issue appears across multiple tests, it may need attention soon.
Ask about the faults. Use the known model faults section to ask the seller specific questions. Have they had the timing chain checked? Has the EGR valve been replaced? Sellers respect informed buyers.
Use it to negotiate. If the report shows outstanding issues, upcoming maintenance or a below-average Carwise Score, use that as evidence to negotiate a lower price.
Always get a professional inspection. A Carwise report gives you the data, but it does not replace a physical inspection by a qualified mechanic. We always recommend getting an independent check before buying.

Ready to check a vehicle? Enter any UK registration number and get your report in under 60 seconds.

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