Guides & Advice
Car Buying Advice & Vehicle Check Guides
Guides on car history checks, outstanding finance, write-offs and MOT history.
What is Car Finance PCP and How Does it Affect Buying Used?
PCP is the most common car finance product in the UK. Here is how it works, what happens to the car at the end, and why it matters when you buy used.
3 May 2026
What is a V5C Document and Why Does it Matter?
The V5C is the vehicle registration certificate. Here is what it contains, how to check it, and why a missing or cloned V5C is a serious warning sign.
3 May 2026
What is a Private Number Plate and Can it Hide a Car's History?
Private number plates are legal and common in the UK, but they can be used to obscure a car's age and break the paper trail. Here is what to check.
3 May 2026
What is a Cherished Plate and Does it Affect Car History?
Cherished plates are personalised registrations transferred onto vehicles. They can hide a car's age and create gaps in its history. Here is what to watch for.
3 May 2026
What Checks Should You Run Before a Test Drive?
Most buyers test drive first and check later. That is the wrong order. Here is what to do before you get in the car.
3 May 2026
How to Spot a Cut and Shut Car
A cut and shut car is two written-off vehicles welded together and sold as one. Here is how to spot one before you buy.
3 May 2026
How to Check if a Car is Taxed UK
Checking car tax in the UK takes 30 seconds. Here is how to do it, what the results mean, and what to do if the car is not taxed.
3 May 2026
How to Check a Car Recall UK
Car recalls are safety issues serious enough for manufacturers to fix for free. Here is how to check if a used car has an outstanding recall before you buy.
3 May 2026
How to Buy a Used Car Safely in the UK
Buying used is straightforward when you follow the right steps. Here is the complete process from finding a car to handing over money safely.
3 May 2026
Can You Insure a Cat S or Cat N Write-off?
Cat S and Cat N write-offs can legally return to the road but insuring them is harder than most buyers expect. Here is what to know before you commit.
3 May 2026
What Is GAP Insurance and Do You Need It?
GAP insurance covers the difference between what your insurer pays out and what you owe on finance. Here is when it makes sense and when to skip it.
20 April 2026
How to Check If a Car Has Been in an Accident UK
Accident history is not always disclosed. Here is how to check whether a car has been in an accident, even when the seller says nothing.
19 April 2026
Red Flags When Buying a Used Car Privately
Private used car sales have fewer protections than dealer sales. Here are the red flags that tell you to walk away before you get burned.
18 April 2026
What Is a Vehicle Identity Check?
A vehicle identity check confirms a car is what it claims to be. Here is what it involves, when you need one, and how to do it.
17 April 2026
Is a Free Car Check Good Enough?
Free car checks are useful but limited. Here is exactly what they cover, what they miss, and whether you can rely on them before buying a used car.
16 April 2026
How to Check a Car's Service History
A full service history adds value and peace of mind. Here is how to verify it is genuine and what to look for when it is missing or incomplete.
15 April 2026
What Do MOT Advisories Mean and Should You Worry?
MOT advisories flag issues that are not bad enough to fail the test but need watching. Here is how to interpret them and when to take them seriously.
14 April 2026
How to Check a Car's MOT History for Free
You can check any car's MOT history for free using the DVSA's official service. Here is how to do it and what to look for in the results.
13 April 2026
What Happens If You Unknowingly Buy a Stolen Car?
Buying a stolen car in good faith does not mean you get to keep it. Here is what actually happens and how to protect yourself.
12 April 2026
Can You Buy a Car With Outstanding Finance on It?
Buying a car with outstanding finance is possible, but there are right ways and wrong ways to do it. Get it wrong and you lose the car and your money.
11 April 2026
What Is a SORN Vehicle?
SORN means the vehicle has been declared off the road. Here is what it means when you see it on a car history check and whether it should concern you.
10 April 2026
How to Spot a Clocked Car
Clocking - winding back a car's odometer - is illegal and widespread. Here is how to spot a clocked car before you buy one.
9 April 2026
What to Check Before Buying a Used Car UK
A practical checklist for anyone buying a used car privately or from a dealer in the UK. Do these checks in this order and you will not get burned.
8 April 2026
How Many Previous Owners Is Too Many?
The number of previous owners matters, but not in the way most people think. Here is how to read keeper history properly.
7 April 2026
What Is an HPI Check and Do You Need One?
HPI check is the industry term for a vehicle history check covering finance, stolen, write-off and identity data. Here is what it covers and whether you need one.
6 April 2026
How to Read a Car MOT History
An MOT history tells you far more than whether a car passed or failed. Here is how to read it properly and what to look out for.
5 April 2026
Should You Buy a Cat S or Cat N Write-Off?
Write-off cars can be good value - or a financial trap. Here is how to decide whether a Cat S or Cat N is worth the risk.
4 April 2026
What Does a Category N Write-Off Mean?
Category N means non-structural damage. The car was written off by an insurer, but the damage did not affect the chassis or safety structure.
3 April 2026
What Does a Category S Write-Off Mean?
Category S means the car suffered structural damage. It can be repaired and put back on the road - but there are risks you need to understand first.
2 April 2026
How to Check if a Car Has Outstanding Finance UK
Buying a car with outstanding finance means the lender can legally repossess it. Here is how to check before you hand over any money.
1 April 2026