Car Data Check
About Us
The History of Car Data Checking in the UK
With the rise of car ownership in the 1930's a new type of crime began to emerge. Cars, being very expensive items, were being used as security for new finance agreements, loans and Hire Purchase (HP) agreements. Unscrupulous owners would then take out further finance against the vehicles. Some would even sell them and because no-one checked their HP Information, were able to default on the finance agreements leaving the new owners without a car.
The six main lenders got together and decided to share their data to stop people from using their cars as security repeatedly and to keep track of vehicles being sold through the motor trade. This led to the formation of Hire Purchase Investigations (HPI) in 1938.
The Police then made their stolen vehicle data available in 1947, creating a more powerful tool for the motor trade.
Very little changed with car data checks until insurers began to supply their data to HPI in the 1980s. And it wasn’t until 1993 that the data was made available to the general public.
In 1997, the AA joined forces with Experian, the company responsible for managing the Motor Insurers’ Database. They entered the data checking market, in effect, breaking the monopoly previously held by HPI. The AA launched a consumer version of the car data check, this continues to be one of the most complete car data checks available to the public when buying used cars.
The launch of AA Car Data Check was swiftly followed by the launch of Experian Car Data Check to the Automotive trade. It quickly established itself as the market leader in the highly competitive franchise dealer market.
AA Car Data Checks were offered as an online product for the first time in December 2000. AA Car Data Checks now include mileage checks and valuations as standard, where available, and continue to provide a cheaper finance and HP check to the public and members. Plus, the data sources used by the AA to provide the car data checks mean that we can provide you with up to date and accurate information about the vehicle you are looking to buy.
Buying a Used Car?
In addition to checking your vehicle’s history, the AA can help you to find competitive insurance and finance deals. Follow the links below to find out more:
Why Choose AA Car Data Check?
Buying a used car can take a great deal of time and patience. Not only do you have to establish the make and model best suited to your lifestyle and pocket, you then have to find a perfect match. AA Car Data Check can help to narrow the search and will save you time. Once you have identified a few possible cars all you need to do is to enter the registration numbers into AA Car Data Check and you will receive lots of very useful information.
About A Multiple Car Data Check
This option allows you to check up to five cars to enable you to compare them and choose the one that's right for you. The result of the AA Car Data Check will appear on screen and you can print each one. They will all remain accessible to you each time you login into AA Car Data Check. You can return to the check at any time to view the details, to add the VIN or to register your chosen car for the Insurance, which is underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc, provided you adhere to the terms and conditions of the policy during the buying process. The insurance will cover you up to £30,000 or the market value of the car if the information supplied is incorrect or incomplete and causes you a specific financial loss.
About A Single Car Data Check
If you have already found a car you want to purchase you may want just one AA Car Data Check report. Do remember though, that many vehicles do have some adverse data which may cause you to think again. For just a few pounds more, you can do up to five checks and then make a more informed choice.
Why Do You Need This Information?
Every year hundreds of thousands of cars are stolen and many find their way back into the market place. Unscrupulous sellers take the risk that most potential buyers do not do any checks, they just get carried away by a shiny car at a "bargain" price. If you buy a stolen car you will lose the car and your money.
Our database currently holds more than 8 million finance records for cars bought on HP or other finance agreements. Many people do not realise that they must pay for the car in full before they can sell it, and others deliberately try to offload their debts. Either way the car will be repossessed by the finance company if you obtain it before the finance agreement is cleared, and you will lose your money.
Every year around 500,000 cars are written-off by insurance companies. Many written-off vehicles are repaired and are returned to the road, but would you want to buy one? While some have only cosmetic damage which may be remedied by a re-spray or a new panel, others sustain major damage and require skilled repairs. AA Car Data Check will identify a written-off car and will enable you make a knowledgeable decision to accept or reject the car.
Do not risk your money or your safety, AA Car Data Check before you buy
AA Car Data Check Is Very Comprehensive
There are 26 possible pieces of information available about the car. AA Car Data Check will tell you:
- If a finance agreement is recorded
- If it has been written-off
- If it is currently recorded as stolen
- If a vehicle is being traced by a third party and is at risk of fraud or theft
- A full description including the make, model, colour, date of first registration, engine size and number, transmission and number of gears, body style, year of manufacture.
- How many keepers the car has had prior to the current keeper.
- If it has had any colour changes.
- If it has had any registration plate changes.
- If it has been used and imported from outside the EU.
- If it has been exported.
- If the DVLA have it recorded as Scrapped.
- Mileage information - has it been clocked? (Not available for all vehicles)
- CO2 Emissions
- Vehicle excise duty band and cost of 12 months tax
- Confirmation of the VIN before you buy.
TAKE CARE - WE CAN'T TELL YOU EVERYTHING
Self Or Third Party Insured Vehicles
Although our Car Data Check is as comprehensive as is currently possible, it may not reveal that the vehicle has been declared a write-off if the owner was self insured or third-party insured or if the vehicle was not covered by its insurance policy at the time of the incident (and the data check insurance will not cover this risk).
Cloned Or Ringed Vehicles
A "clone" or "ringer" is a car which has been stolen and has been given a false registration number and VIN. If this has happened, the data supplied will be for a different, but identical, vehicle. A cloned or ringed car is not covered by our Car Data Check insurance.
Imported Vehicles
A vehicle purchased in another country within the European Union, whether brought into the UK as a new or used vehicle, is not classified as an import by the DVLA or our Car Data Check. This is to reflect the Single European Market.
Non-UK Registered Vehicles And Events Occurring Outside The UK
Our data only relates to vehicles registered in the United Kingdom. The Car Data Check cannot reveal (and the data check insurance will not cover) events occurring at any time whilst the vehicle was not registered in the UK (the date of first registration is shown on the V5C document) and may not reveal events occurring outside the UK at any time.
Warranty
If you believe the vehicle is covered by a manufacturer's warranty you may want to contact a franchised dealer or the manufacturer to check the validity of the warranty. A vehicle purchased outside the UK may have a shorter warranty period than an identical vehicle purchased from a UK dealer. Manufacturers' warranties are also conditional on regular servicing and other circumstances.
Do you have any questions
If you are looking for a quick answer to a question, you should view our Help & Advice pages.
