Second-hand vehicles can offer a wide range of benefits; they can often be a good way to save money on your next vehicle and avoid the crippling depreciation that comes with brand-new models. However, not all cars listed will necessarily be genuine.

So, to keep yourself safe from the risks of buying a second-hand model,  Still, to make sure you’re investing in a car that won’t leave you missing out, check the history of your used car first.

How to Check the History of a Used Car

Need to check whether your car purchase is legitimate? You could consider several options to help with this decision, and we’ve summarized some of the main things you should know to help you reveal your car’s history.

First things first, it’s generally important to make sure you’ve got the car’s number plate handy. However, if you’ve been buying online, the seller may have blurred out the number plate on photos of the vehicle. If this is the situation with your purchase, you may need to ask the seller whether they can provide you with the number plate so you can complete the history check.

Once you have this, simply load up the car check tool and enter the vehicle reg, as prompted. This will allow you to begin checking information about the vehicle, including:

• Mileage estimates
• MOT history
• History of damage and repairs
• Ownership and financing history

These are just a handful of the things that you may need to keep in mind when it comes to checking the history of a used car. In turn, this can help individuals check whether the vehicle is the right option for your needs; for example, this information can influence whether the car will need repair work carried out soon, which in turn could help you decide whether you’ll be likely to afford these repairs.

Can I Complete a Car History Check if I Don’t Have the Number Plate Details?

If you do not have the number plate details for a vehicle, you won’t be able to complete a car history check. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; indeed, if the seller refuses to provide the plate’s details, the sale may not be genuine anyway. In some cases, the seller could even be saying no because there is a concern with the vehicle. For example, the car could be stolen, which may be flagged by your car history check.

Unfortunately, if you do not have the vehicle’s number plate details, you won’t be able to carry out the car history check. Buying without ensuring the validity of the information first could be very risky, so if you find yourself in this situation, be very careful about whether or not this is the right decision for your needs.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking to buy a second-hand car, make sure you have first checked the history first. Indeed, thanks to online car history checking tools, making sure your purchase is genuine becomes easier than ever. What’s not to love?