Buying cars. The decision can sometimes feel overwhelming, and if you’re looking for second-hand, there’s lots to consider here. Still, this shouldn’t have to be an impossible decision. And, critically, there are plenty of simple ways you can make this decision a little easier. To this end, today, we’re exploring five of the best car history checking websites out there; hopefully, this may allow you to find the right option for your next purchase.
5 Great Car History Checking Websites You Need to Know!
Before buying second-hand, it’s worth taking a few minutes to run a car history check. Indeed, this might seem like a simple decision, but it could help reassure your mind – or even warn you of any less-than-honest history the car in question might have!
#1 DVLA
Perhaps the best place to start your search for a new car is with the DVLA directly; after all, it’s the official government platform for all things vehicle related. While car checks through the DVLA only provide a very limited amount of information, they’re a great (and free!) place to start your search.
#2 Full Car Checks
So, you’ve run a free car history check with the DVLA. If you’re happy so far, it’s now worth taking things a step further with a paid car history report. Indeed, the basic free check is a good starting point; however, the car might have hidden issues still under the bonnet. Luckily, Full Car Checks is designed to give buyers peace of mind through a series of detailed vehicle history reports.
Providing both a basic and premium paid checking plan, the tool allows you to check 80+ different data points. Plus, these checks come with a staggering £30,000 data guarantee, which is reassuring for anyone looking to buy. In short, Full Car Checks is a trusted option that delivers comprehensive results in minutes for your second-hand purchase.
#3 Reg Check UK
Another popular service is Reg Check UK, which provides a range of flexible options depending on how much information you want from your history checking report. Although it’s largely comparable to Full Car Checks, it does offer excellent discounts for people looking to run many checks. Thus, it’s a great bulk option (for example, if you’re looking to check a wide number of options before you commit).
#4 Car Checker
With exceptional ratings of 4.9/5 stars on TrustPilot, Car Checker is another reputed brand; plus, this software stands out in one area especially: its coverage of both UK and Irish vehicles. Indeed, Car Checker offers one of the most extensive databases available for both Irish and UK cars, ideal if you’re looking to import. It also has an impressive £30k guarantee.
#5 Carly App
If you’re not quite ready to trust an online database, Carly offers a handy alternative option. Indeed, people usually use the Carly app when buying for its full diagnostics service. This is based on its own scanning device that checks for numerous important metrics, such as VIN and mileage. It can also highlight and interpret any error codes that might not be recorded in online reports. However, this does need to be carried out in person, and it’s a lot more costly than an online check. So, whether to use Carly will generally depend on which option suits your needs better.
Conclusion
We’ve reviewed a wide range of history checking companies and highlighted our top five above. That said, the clear winner is Full Car Checks. At first glance, it stands out with thousands of positive reviews across multiple platforms, including Trustpilot. It’s easy to see why. Their free check offers unique insights, such as previously listed adverts and safety ratings, which most competitors don’t provide.
The paid report takes things further by giving a detailed background on the vehicle. This includes write-off markers, finance information, and even plate change history.
