check if a car has been stolen/written off

misswilsonuk

Hi All

I am going to purchase a car this weekend (private sale) just wanted to check if anyone has any idea what the best website is to use to check if a car has been written off/stolen etc..

There are so many, I just want to make sure all is legit!

thanks

neilmcl

get an HPI check done.

darich

As Neilmcl says get HPi check done.
Don't be tempted to use one of the cheap text services - they often miss critical details eg any finance? number plate changes etc.
There are a couple of companies provide a service similar to HPi - I think RAC may be one of them but the one I've always used is HPi.

costs something like £25 per car or you can buy credits for multiple checks and it's a bit cheaper.

cc25

I've used https://www.mycarcheck.com/ a couple of times, and found it very good value, and provided the info I wanted. However, I was only spending around £1000 on the cars I checked, and I thought £3.95 was well worth it.

Also, a good check for a genuine private sale is to look at the details provided on the V5 - is the sellers name the name of the registered keeper on the V5, and is the car being sold from the registered keeper's address? Also on the V5 will be the name of the previous keeper, and the date the vehicle was last transferred.

Below is what mycarcheck supplies:-

"For only £3.95 we check for and supply instantly:

• Stolen (Police Interest)
• Stolen & Recovered
• Write off / Total Insurance Loss (Recorded Accident Damage)
• Scrapped by the DVLA
• Subject to Plate Transfers
• Colour Changes
• Make and Model
• Number of Former Keepers
• VIN (Chassis Number) Check
• Engine Number and Size
• Exported
• Date First Registered
• Year Manufactured
• Colour
• Fuel

forgotmyname

You may have been happy with your £3.95 service but was it accurate? Autoexpress tests say not.

Failed to notify them a car was still on finance.

ian_w_4

You can get £6 cashback on an Experian Autocheck via Quidco (£19.99).

Seems ok, confirmed my car as a Cat D write off.