Checking out a vehicles number plate (VRM) is essential before doing any kind of a deal, with 1 in 3 vehicles having some form of hidden history performing a car data check should be your number one priority, it also buys peace of mind and could
save you thousands of pounds in the long run.
1 in 3 vehicles has some form of hidden history
Every 20 minutes a stolen car is bought by an unsuspecting buyer
1 in 4 cars is still owned by a finance company
500,000 cars a year are 'written off' by insurers
Approx. 10% of cars checked are insurance 'write-offs'
The Home Office advice is "...get a car data check"
Over a million cars were checked last year
ONLINE CAR DATA CHECKS
AutoCheck - (Experian) Checks everything, 26 pieces of information, £19.99 or 5 vehicles for £24.99 Check now
MyCarCheck.com - Check for stolen, write off, DVLA info, VIN etc. Introductory price £3.95 -£19.99 Check now
*Please see each respective website for particular terms and conditions
DON'T RISK IT!
Buying any vehicle without checking it first is a very risky business,
if you're buying from a dealer request to see the 'all clear' certificate,
dealers aren't required to tell you a car is accident damaged unless
you specifically ask! Better still
remove those niggly doubts and check it for yourself - know what you're buying
for the sake of a few pounds. Why
trust a stranger with your hard earned cash.
If you buy a car that has outstanding finance it is still the property
of the finance company, be prepared for a legal battle or possible
repossession. Get confirmation from the finance company that they no
longer have an interest in the vehicle or settlement confirmation.
If you buy a vehicle that has been registered as accident damaged
or 'written-off' it can be worth 30-50% less than book price, not
to mention a possible deathtrap and very hard to sell or p/ex again,
ask any dealer.
Beware - if it seems to good to be true it probably is! There were 20,000 cloned cars out there last year so be careful. If you have a camera phone ask to take the sellers picture and see what response you get, better yet video them!
DON'T RISK IT!
