When buying a used car, you'll find plenty of free checks available online. But are they enough, or do you need to pay for a comprehensive vehicle history report?
What Free Car Checks Include
Free checks typically offer limited information from public sources:
DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service (Free)
- Make and model
- Year of manufacture
- Engine size and fuel type
- CO2 emissions
- Tax status and due date
- MOT status and expiry date
- SORN status
MOT History Check (Free)
- Full MOT history
- Pass/fail results
- Mileage at each test
- Advisory notices
- Failure reasons
What Free Checks DON'T Include
Here's the critical information you won't get from free checks:
- Outstanding finance – Is money still owed on the car?
- Stolen vehicle status – Has it been reported stolen?
- Insurance write-off history – Has it been written off?
- Salvage auction records – Was it sold as salvage?
- Plate changes – Has the registration been changed?
- Import/export status – Was it imported from abroad?
- Multiple owner flags – Suspicious ownership patterns
Why This Matters
The information missing from free checks is often the most important:
Outstanding Finance
Around 1 in 3 used cars has finance attached. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can legally repossess it – even from you, the innocent buyer.
Stolen Vehicles
If you unknowingly buy a stolen car, you lose both the car and your money when police recover it.
Write-Off History
A car may have been written off and repaired. This affects value, insurance costs, and potentially safety.
What Paid Checks Include
A comprehensive vehicle history check like Green Flag's £9.99 report includes:
- ✓ Outstanding finance check
- ✓ Stolen vehicle check (Police National Computer)
- ✓ Insurance write-off check
- ✓ Mileage verification
- ✓ Salvage auction history
- ✓ Plate change history
- ✓ Import/export check
- ✓ Number of previous keepers
- ✓ VIC (Vehicle Identity Check) markers
Cost Comparison
| Check Type | Price | Finance | Stolen | Write-Off | Salvage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVLA Free Check | Free | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MOT History | Free | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Green Flag | £9.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HPI Check | £19.99+ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
When Free Checks Are Enough
Free checks might be sufficient if:
- You're buying from a reputable main dealer with guarantees
- You know and trust the seller personally
- You're just doing initial research before viewing
When You Need a Paid Check
Always use a paid check when:
- Buying privately
- Buying from an independent dealer
- The price seems unusually low
- You're about to pay a deposit or complete purchase
- You have any doubts whatsoever
The Bottom Line
Free checks are a good starting point but leave dangerous gaps. The £10 cost of a comprehensive check is insignificant compared to the thousands you could lose buying a car with hidden problems.
Get a full vehicle history check for just £9.99 and buy with complete peace of mind.
