Car Advert Check

Don't buy a lemon.Get the knowledgeof a mechanic friendin seconds.

We read the advert, your messages with the seller and any photos, then cross check it with our custom software and verified sources like the DVSA to help uncover what the seller might not be saying. Free check in 60 seconds, no account to create.

We read the advert, not just the number plate
Backed by official UK records
We know the common faults for that exact car
Free to start · results in 60 seconds
UK
UK
And / Or

Got photos or more info? You can upload extra details on the next step to enhance the investigation.

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Official DVSA & DVLA data Free, no account Results in 60 secondsCars, vans, motorbikes & motorhomes

1 in 3 used cars has hidden history

Finance, write-offs, clocking, hidden faults. The kind of thing that costs you thousands.

  • Outstanding finance still owed
  • Written off and rebuilt
  • Clocked mileage
  • Stolen and re-plated
  • A timing belt overdue and never done
  • Pricey MOT advisories the seller skips over

The seller won't tell you. The data will.

*Source: HPI

Where our data comes from

Trusted official records

DVSA MOT history, plus finance, write-off, theft and mileage data from industry-standard providers.

Reads more than the advert

We go through the listing, your messages with the seller and any photos, cross-referenced against our own database of model-specific known faults. The more you add, the sharper your report.

A normal car check runs a number plate. We read the whole deal.

Most checks tell you the car's past. We do that too, then go further: this exact advert, and what to do about it.

Plate-only
checks(e.g. HPI, carVertical)
Car Advert
Check
Live MOT history and mileage
Finance, write-off and stolen checks
Reads the actual advert
Reads your messages and photos from the seller
Known faults for that exact make and model
Tailored questions to ask and what to check at the viewing
Predicted repair bills and negotiation leverage
Updates when the seller sends you more
Free to start, no account to create

And it is free to start. HPI and carVertical charge before you see anything.

Comparison based on publicly listed features as of June 2026.

Instant Investigation

Uncover what the seller might be hiding.

Sellers sometimes hide the expensive truth in plain sight. We cross-reference the advert against live MOT data, manufacturer service intervals and known model faults to surface missing service histories and masked mechanical issues, the gaps a basic check will not catch, before you travel to view it.

Spots missing cambelt and oil changes.
Translates vague MOT advisories into actual repair costs.
Flags suspicious phrases and scam hallmarks.
Low Risk Car Analysis
Car Advert Check Detailed Analysis
Your viewing game plan

Walk in knowing exactly what to ask.

Most buyers turn up not knowing what to look for, and end up taking the seller's word for it. We hand you the script: the questions that catch a dodgy car out, and a checklist you tick off on your phone at the viewing. Like having a mechanic mate in your pocket.

Ask before you travel

The questions that weed out a dud from your sofa, so you do not waste a Saturday.

Ask at the viewing

The specific things to put to the seller face to face, based on this car’s actual history.

Tick-off inspection checklist

What to physically check, point by point. Send it to your phone and tick as you go.

See a real action plan in the sample report
Negotiation Leverage

Reduce the risk of overpaying for someone else's problem.

Don't negotiate blind. If a van has £650 of pending suspension repairs and an overdue cambelt, you need to know before you make an offer. We hand you the exact questions to ask to drop the asking price.

Calculates expected maintenance costs for the next 12 months.
Provides specific, actionable questions to ask the seller.
Gives you the leverage to walk away or negotiate hard.
Negotiation Leverage Insights
Ownership Cost Analysis
Iterative Updates

Got more info from the seller? Refresh your report.

Car buying is a conversation. When the seller sends you photos of the service book or a recent garage invoice, drop them straight into your existing report. We will instantly recalculate the risk and adjust your leverage.

Upload interior/exterior photos
Attach service history receipts
Instantly adjust risk scores
Gain newly found leverage
Iterative Report Updates for Seller Responses
“Genuinely so thankful for this site!!! We've been looking for a VW Transporter for a while now and the free version of this site was actually super helpful in avoiding scams or duds. When we found one we liked, we took a punt and paid the tenner, definitely worth it. It not only found things we never would have thought about, but gave us a bargaining chip to knock a grand off the asking price. Ended up with a great van and a much better price than we would have without it. Highly recommend to anyone buying a used vehicle, especially if you're not an expert like us!”
Harry, Exeter. Bought a VW Transporter Campervan in April 2026.

Why I built this

I'm Matt. A few years back I got caught out by a car scam and lost the best part of a grand. I'm usually the one who spots that sort of thing a mile off, but this one got me. I've always been the friend everyone messages before they buy a car, van or motorbike. We've all got that mate that knows more than us about them. After running the same checks over and over for people, I realised I could build something that does what I do, just faster and better. So that is Car Advert Check.

By all means still message your mechanic friend, I'd genuinely miss the texts, but this will help you narrow it down first, so you are not firing twenty listings at them on a Sunday night.

Matt, founder of Car Advert Check

Ready to check your car?

Get your free scan in 60 seconds. No password, no card.

Get my free scan

How It Works

Four simple steps to professional-grade car analysis.

01

Tell us about the car

Paste the reg and the advert, or just upload screenshots of the advert from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Gumtree or anywhere else. Add any messages or photos from the seller too. The more you add, the sharper the report.

02

We cross-reference everything

Live MOT history, finance, write-off and stolen records, matched against manufacturer service intervals and known model faults.

03

Get your buyer's guide

Risks, upcoming bills, negotiation leverage and the exact questions to ask the seller.

04

Update as you learn more

Ask the seller those questions, then drop their answers and photos back in. We sharpen the report and hand you the next things to ask.

Choose your check

From free scan to full provenance verification, pick the level of certainty you need.

Free Scan

Free

Verdict, risk score, biggest finding, plus full MOT history and mileage analysis.

Start free →
Most Popular

Smart Check

£3.99

Full analysis of every finding, plus seller questions, inspection checklist, and negotiation strategy.

Get Smart Check →

Provenance Check

Includes Smart Check

£19.99

Everything in Smart Check, plus official finance, stolen, write-off and salvage checks.

Get Provenance Check →

Start free. Only upgrade if it is genuinely useful to you.

See full comparison (26 features)

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before you check a car.

Is the free check really free?
Yes. You get a verdict, a risk score, your biggest finding, plus full MOT history and mileage analysis, with no password and no card. You only pay if you want the full breakdown.
How is this different from an HPI check?
A standard HPI style check runs your number plate against history records. We do that too, but we also read the advert, your messages with the seller and any photos, then flag faults specific to that model and tell you exactly what to ask. HPI and carVertical also charge before you see anything, while our scan is free to start.
How accurate is it?
We use live data from official sources like the DVSA, plus established provenance providers, so the underlying facts are solid. We also use AI to pull all of that together into one clear report, and like any AI it can occasionally get something wrong. The combination of our own software and verified data makes that unlikely, and we always show you the source data so you can check anything yourself.
How long does it take?
Around 60 seconds for the free scan.
Do I need the registration, or just the advert?
Either works. The reg unlocks official MOT and history data, the advert and photos unlock the seller analysis. Together you get the fullest picture.
Do I have to copy and paste the advert text?
No. Screenshot the advert on your phone and upload the screenshots. We read the advert text, the seller's photos and the details from the images. Pasting text works too if that is easier.
Can I just get a normal HPI style check without the advert analysis?
Yes. If you just want the official history data, simply enter the number plate and leave the advert text completely blank. You will get the full MOT, finance, write-off and provenance data just like a standard check.
Can I add messages or photos from the seller later?
Yes. Paste their replies or upload photos and invoices at any point and we re-score the report instantly.
Does it work for vans, motorbikes and motorhomes?
Yes. If it has a UK number plate with MOT and DVLA records, we can check it. Cars, vans, motorbikes and motorhomes all run through the same checks and advert analysis.
How can I tell if a used car has outstanding finance?
You cannot tell from the advert. Finance stays with the car, not the seller. Our Provenance Check runs an official finance search and shows you plainly if anything is still owed.
What is the difference between a Cat S and a Cat N write-off?
Cat S is repaired structural damage, Cat N is non-structural. Both must be declared, and your report tells you if this car has a recorded write-off.
How do I spot a clocked car?
Compare the mileage across the MOT and service history for any drops or unrealistic jumps. You do not have to do this by hand: our report charts the mileage over time and flags anything that looks inconsistent.
What should I check when buying a car privately?
See the V5C logbook in the seller's name and address, match the VIN in three places, view the car in daylight, and never pay before you have inspected it. Your report turns this into a tick-off checklist for the exact car.
What if the report doesn't tell me anything new?
Then it's free. If your Smart Check tells you nothing the advert didn't already say, reply to your receipt within 7 days and we refund it. No forms, no argument.