When you are about to spend thousands on a used car, a £10 vehicle history check might seem like a small detail. In reality, that small spend can save you from serious financial trouble.
£8,500
Average used car price in the UK
1 in 4
Cars have hidden problems
£10
Cost to protect yourself
The Real Cost of Hidden Problems
Buying a car with hidden issues can cost you far more than the purchase price. Here are the financial nightmares you could face.
Outstanding finance: The finance company can repossess the car, leaving you with nothing.
Insurance write offs: The car may be unsafe to drive and hard or impossible to insure.
Cloned vehicles: Police can seize the car and you lose everything.
Clocked mileage: Engine and transmission problems appear much sooner than expected.
Real Stories, Real Savings
"A £10 Carpeep check revealed £12,000 in outstanding finance. That £10 saved me from losing £8,000."
Imagine almost buying a car for thousands of pounds and then discovering a history check reveals large outstanding finance. A simple report can stop that loss.
Real case study
One buyer discovered their dream car had been written off as structural damage in a previous accident. The seller claimed it had never been in an accident. The check saved them from buying an unsafe vehicle and from future insurance headaches.
What You Actually Get for £10
A comprehensive vehicle history check from Carpeep includes:
- Outstanding finance checks across UK lenders.
- Insurance write off records including categories A, B, S and N.
- Stolen vehicle database searches.
- Complete MOT history with mileage verification.
- Number of previous keepers.
- Import and export status.
- Vehicle specifications and tax status.
The Insurance Perspective
Even if you manage to insure a car with hidden problems, you might face serious consequences later. One uncovered issue can lead to refused claims worth thousands.
Without a check
- Higher premiums due to hidden write off history.
- Refused coverage if issues are discovered later.
- Voided claims if problems were not declared.
- Legal liability for undisclosed issues.
With a check
- Full disclosure to your insurer.
- More accurate premium quotes.
- Valid insurance coverage.
- Better peace of mind.
Resale Value Protection
Think about the moment you come to sell the car. A vehicle with a clean history check is easier to sell and tends to hold its value better.
Buyers are increasingly savvy and will run their own checks. Any hidden issues will either lower your sale price or make the car hard to sell at all.
Pro tip
Keep a copy of your vehicle history check report. When you come to sell, showing buyers a clean history from when you bought the car builds trust and speeds up the sale.
Peace of Mind Is Priceless
Beyond pure money, knowing you have bought a legitimate, safe vehicle brings peace of mind.
You can enjoy your car without worrying about police seizure, finance company repossession or finding out later that it is unsafe.
The bottom line
- A £10 check versus a potential loss of thousands is simple maths.
- It protects you from finance issues, write offs and cloning.
- It is essential for insurance validity and future resale.
- It gives you confidence and peace of mind.
- It only takes minutes to run a complete check.
- It is not worth gambling thousands when a small fee gives you certainty.
