Why a Registration Plate Check is Essential Before Buying a Used Car in the UK
The purchase of a used vehicle in the UK will save you a substantial pocket load as compared to the purchasing of a brand new automobile. It is full of risks though, hidden mechanical problems, unpaid finances, and even stolen cars. A reg plate check is one of the easiest yet strong measures that you can ensure to safeguard yourself against making some decisions.
So What Is a Reg Plate Check?
A reg plate check is a search whereby one places the vehicle’s registration (number plate) into the internet to retrieve some major information on the car. The aim of these checks is to provide the buyer with a better idea of the car history to prevent the scams and making a bad buy.
A reg plate check may be done using the free tools such as DVLA place of its vehicle information and be carried further with the services that provide access to more detailed information, including the previous owners, write-offs, and finance history.
What is the Information You Can Obtain?
A reg plate check will show:
- The simple vehicle information: make, model, colour, engine size, fuel type and year of manufacture.
- MOT history: Previous test outcomes, notices and failures.
- Tax status: the current tax status of the car, including the date of expiry of the current taxation.
- Mileage records: helpful when there is a need to spot clocking or mileage manipulations.
- Write off: whether insurance companies declared the car a total loss or not.
- Stolen vehicle checks: Determines that the vehicle is stolen or not.
- Excellent finance: Instrumental to guarantee that the car is not under the right of a finance company.
- Number plate changes: Shows whether or not the car has had its reg number changed (this may be a red flag).
Why You Can Never Skip It
1. Store Your Investment
Second-hand cars might have underlying problems. A reg plate check will also allow you to understand exactly what you are really purchasing, there will be no major surprises to be had in the future that could cost thousands.
2. Stay out of Legal Difficulty
Purchasing a stolen car or car where the finance was not paid can get you into trouble. You could end up having lost the car. Such risks are averted with the help of a simple check.
3. Uncover Fraud
Other sellers can conceal that a car is written off, or forge the mileage, or even change number plates. These indicators can be detected with the help of a reg plate check and warn you in time.
4. Negotiate Smarter
In case a check shows minor problems or history you can use it as a leverage to negotiate a lower price – or even leave it altogether.
Paid vs Free Reg Plate checks
It is brilliant to use free resources, such as DVLA vehicle enquiry service and MOT checker. However, to be sure, one can invest a little fee in a paid check (via providers such as HPI Check, TotalCarCheck or CarVertical) and get more details.
How to Do a Reg Plate Check
- Visit a reputed service such as DVLA or a known car history check provider.
- Place the registration number of the car.
- Get immediate results.
- To make a full check, in the payment process, check the complete report and download it.
Final Thoughts
A moment of checking the reg plate could be between paying to own a good used car or loss in deception. It is one of the cheapest and, at the same time, handy tools that can assist car buyers and, probably, help you avoid making an exceptionally expensive mistake.
Wait five minutes and do a reg plate search before you give someone any of your hard earned cash. It is a good decision that places you in a better position and also gives you a chance to purchase a safe and legal car worth investing in next.
