Car history checks. They’re an imperative part of the car-buying process. However, it’s not unheard of for people to buy without verifying the purchase first. In line with this thought, today, we’re looking at why car history checks are important. Hopefully, this will help inform your decision accordingly.
What is the Importance of Running a Car History Check?
There are numerous reasons a car history check might be helpful. Just a few of the most prominent are as follows.
1 Allows you to Check the Plate Matches
One of the most common scams for experienced vehicle fraudsters is to switch the number plate on the car. This reduces the chances of stolen vehicles being picked up while out and about. For example, a scammer might switch the plate to display the details of a car they own. In turn, this could prevent the car from showing as stolen.
Fortunately, a number plate check may help with this. By running the plate, you can check vehicle details such as model, colour, and the like. In turn, you can verify that these match the features of the car. So, there’s a higher chance that the car will be genuine.
2 Ensure the Plate Isn’t Registered Stolen
If a car is stolen, the number plate will usually be logged. This allows the police to watch for transfers and movements on that number plate, increasing the chance of finding it. Fortunately, this is something you can check with a car history check. In doing so, you can verify that the car isn’t stolen. Thus, reducing the risk of buying a car that legally belongs to someone else.
3 View the Vehicle’s History
Don’t just take a car at face value. Even if it looks pristine, there’s always still a chance it could have had a rough life. Fortunately, car history checks allow you to see its past MOT history; in doing so, you may get a clearer understanding of how the car was used. This could allow you to see if a vehicle had a lot of repair work done, indicating a tougher life.
4 Check the Mileage is Accurate
Did you know, it’s not actually illegal to change the mileage on a car? Changing the mileage is allowed, provided this is fully acknowledged. However, this also means that some people may change the mileage without saying. In doing so, the car may have clocked up more miles than it appears at face value. Following this thought, a car history check allows you to see past recorded mileage records. In turn, this can help you decide whether the mileage displayed is likely a fair representation.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous reasons a car history check may be important. Indeed, far from simply being a valuable way to check whether a car’s details match, they can also allow you to authenticate the sale and ensure you’re not accidentally buying a car with baggage. So, why chance it? It’s not worth the risk buying without, so we strongly recommend running a car history check before you agree.
