Car History Check
A car history check is the single most important step between agreeing a price and handing over the cash. RegRadar's report combines official DVLA and DVSA data with commercial finance, theft and insurance write-off registers to give you a clear, plain-English verdict on the vehicle.
Why vehicle history matters
Roughly one in three used cars sold privately in the UK has something on its history that the seller would rather you didn't know about. That might be a small finance balance, a Cat N write-off from a minor knock, an MOT mileage that doesn't line up with the dashboard, or a recent change of plate that hides a previous identity. None of those are deal-breakers on their own — but you need to know about them before you pay.
What a full car history check covers
RegRadar's premium report includes outstanding finance markers (HP, PCP, conditional sale, lease, logbook loans), stolen markers from the Police National Computer, MIAFTR write-off categories (S, N, C, D and the older A and B), every recorded mileage from MOT and dealer-network sources, plate change history, colour change history, scrapped and exported markers, manufacturer recalls, V5C issue history and a Vehicle Report Score that summarises the whole report on a 0–100 scale.
How RegRadar differs from a forecourt check
Many used-car retailers run a basic provenance check before they list a car. That gives you peace of mind on the dealer's pitch, but it doesn't transfer to you as the buyer, doesn't flag changes that have happened since the dealer ran their check, and doesn't include the dealer's own indemnity if anything goes wrong. Running your own report — in your own name, dated to the day of purchase — is your evidence of due diligence.
Reading the results
Every section in the RegRadar report has a clear pass/fail or detail line, plus a short explanation of what to do if something is flagged. We don't bury bad news in legalese, and we don't pad the report with irrelevant detail to make it feel longer.
What to do if the report flags an issue
Walk away is not always the right answer. A minor Cat N write-off on a 10-year-old car may already be priced in. A small outstanding finance balance can often be settled at point of sale, with the buyer paying the lender directly. The report tells you what is there; the decision is still yours.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a car history check?
A single RegRadar premium report is £9.99 and includes the full PDF download. Trade users with multiple vehicles to check should look at the trade pack.
Is the report immediate?
Yes. Once payment is confirmed you'll see the full report in the browser within a few seconds and a PDF copy is emailed to you.
How long is the report valid for?
The data in the report is accurate at the moment we ran it. For high-value purchases we recommend running a fresh report within 48 hours of completing the sale.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes — the premium report carries a £10,000 data accuracy guarantee from our data supplier, subject to their standard terms. Full details are in the report itself.