Checking a used car's history: HPI, MOT and mileage
5 min read · Updated 1 September 2026
A car can look perfect and still hide a costly past. Three checks — a vehicle history check, the MOT record, and a mileage cross-reference — catch the vast majority of problems in minutes. Here's what each tells you.
The vehicle history (HPI-style) check
A history check searches finance and insurance databases and typically flags: outstanding finance owed on the car, insurance write-off markers, whether it's been recorded stolen, plate or colour changes, and import/export records. If a car still has finance against it, the finance company — not you — can have a claim on it, so this is non-negotiable.
Reputable dealers run these checks on their stock as standard. It's still worth confirming, and asking to see the result.
The MOT history
The official MOT history (free to check online with the registration) shows every test, pass, fail and advisory, plus the recorded mileage at each date. Advisories are gold: they show what an inspector flagged as wearing — brakes, tyres, corrosion — so you know what's coming.
New cars need their first MOT at three years old, then annually.
Cross-checking the mileage
Clocking — winding back the odometer — still happens. Line up the mileage shown on the car against the readings recorded at each MOT and in the service history. The numbers should rise steadily over time. A gap, a dip, or a suspiciously low reading for the age deserves a straight answer.
- History check clear of outstanding finance and write-off markers
- MOT history shows a consistent, rising mileage
- Service records line up with the MOT mileages
- V5C logbook present, seller details match
- VIN on the car matches the paperwork
Frequently asked
What's the difference between a Cat S and Cat N write-off?
Both are insurance write-offs that were repaired: Cat S involved structural damage, Cat N non-structural. A properly repaired write-off can be a bargain, but it should be disclosed, professionally repaired, and reflected in the price.
Is the MOT check really free?
Yes — the official MOT history service is free to use with the car's registration, and shows past results, advisories and recorded mileages.