Buying Advice

Please Read Carefully To Reduce The Risk Of Fraud

Our check list and these notes have been produced to provide some general advice that you should follow before purchasing your vehicle. Vehicle Check will give you a description of the vehicle and it will tell you if it currently has a finance agreement secured against it, if an insurance company has written it off in a total loss claim or if it is currently recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer (PNC).

A check with no adverse data does not necessarily mean that the vehicle will be problem free. To reduce the risk of losing your money you should follow our guidelines before purchasing. If you or the vendor cannot meet any of these guidelines you should reconsider the transaction.

• The vehicle must have a full new style DVLA (Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency) or DVLNI (for Northern Ireland) Vehicle Registration Document (V5C).
• Do not accept an old style V5 Registration Document as from 1st July 2005 these have been replaced by the new style V5C, a four-page document.
• The vehicle must have a valid MOT certificate where applicable. Check the status of a new style MOT Test Certificate on www.motinfo.gov.uk.
• Check the data supplied carefully against the vehicle and the V5C, including the engine number.
• Check that the VIN, or chassis number, on the VIN plate (found in the engine compartment) and the VIN (stamped onto the vehicle body shell) match the number recorded on the V5C. Ensure that you confirm the VIN on the Vehicle Check site before you purchase the vehicle. If the VIN does not match there may be a problem with the vehicle. The identity of the vehicle may have been changed fraudulently.
• Private sale - you must purchase from the registered keeper. You should visit the address given on the V5C and check the ID of the seller, such as a passport and a recent utility bill. All these details must correspond. Obtain a receipt, showing the vendor's details and signature, the vehicle details, including mileage, the date and the price paid.
• Motor dealer - visit the premises to ensure it is a genuine sales area. Motor dealers do not normally conduct a legitimate business from a private address. Obtain a VAT receipt with full company details.
• Do not allow a vendor to bring the vehicle to you, and do not meet them in a car park or other neutral ground.
• You must question the reason for a vehicle being sold below the current market value. A 'quick sale' may not be all it seems.
• If you believe the vehicle is covered by a manufacturer's warranty we suggest you contact a franchised dealer, quoting the registration number and VIN, to verify this.

The Vehicle Check cannot tell you:

• If the vehicle has been damaged, unless written off by an insurance company.
• If it is a 'clone' bearing false Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If it is a clone the data supplied will be for a different, but identical, vehicle.
• If it was originally purchased in another EU country, not the UK.
• If it is roadworthy.

A mechanical examination is always recommended before purchase.

The DVLA have advised that a number of V5C Vehicle registration documents have been stolen, and may be used fraudulently. The serial numbers of these documents can be found on theDVLA. If you wish to check whether a certificate is genuine, prior to the purchase of a vehicle, you should ring the DVLA helpline on 0300 7906104.

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