Vehicle check

Yes. A vehicle check can help you spot potential issues before you buy, including outstanding finance, stolen vehicle records, insurance write-offs, mileage discrepancies and previous owners. It’s a quick way to get added reassurance and avoid surprises that could cost you later.

Yes. An AA Vehicle Check can show the number of previous owners recorded for the vehicle, along with other useful information such as plate changes, V5C match and logbook verification. This can help you understand more about the vehicle’s background before deciding whether to buy.

A vehicle check can show if a car has been recorded as an insurance write-off. It won’t show insurance claims, repairs or incidents, so it’s still worth asking the seller direct questions and considering a physical vehicle inspection if you want a clearer view of the vehicle’s condition.

Don’t buy the vehicle. If a car is listed as stolen, you could lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it. You should walk away from the sale and report your concerns to the police.

When buying a used car, it’s important to understand its history, mileage, MOT record, service history and overall condition. A vehicle check can help reveal risks such as outstanding finance, stolen records, insurance write-offs, mileage discrepancies and VIN or V5C issues.

It’s also important to understand the physical condition of the car. An AA vehicle inspection gives you an independent engineer’s view of the vehicle, helping identify visible faults, damage or potential issues that may not be obvious during a viewing or test drive.