Car Buying Blog

MOT & Safety

MOT Certificate Explained: How to Read Yours

Your MOT is now a digital DVSA record, not just a piece of paper. Here is how to read the dangerous, minor and advisory items on it, and how the renewal date actually works.

Michael Davies

27 Sep 2026, 10:39 a.m.

6 min read

Fraud Prevention

How to Spot a Cloned Car and What to Do If Yours Is Cloned

Cloning puts one car's identity on another. Learn how to spot a cloned car when buying, and what to do if you receive fines for a car you never drove.

Michael Davies

26 Sep 2026, 10:07 a.m.

6 min read

Car Tax

What Happens If You Drive Without Tax or MOT in the UK? Guide

Untaxed cars face DVLA enforcement, clamping and possible prosecution; no MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000. Here are the GOV.UK facts and how to check your status.

Michael Davies

25 Sep 2026, 9:30 a.m.

6 min read

Fraud Prevention

How to Check If a Car Has Been Stolen Before You Buy It

A free DVLA lookup will not tell you a car is stolen. Learn the GOV.UK checks, the V5C warning signs and when a police-data history check is worth it.

Michael Davies

24 Sep 2026, 9:30 a.m.

6 min read

Buying Guides

How Many Previous Owners Has My Car Had? What You Can Find Out

The free DVLA check does not show previous owners. Learn what the V5C, a V888 request and a history check can and cannot tell you about a car's earlier keepers.

Michael Davies

23 Sep 2026, 9:30 a.m.

6 min read

How-To

How to Check a Car's Mileage for Free: A Buyer's Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for checking a used car's mileage before you buy: what to check online, what to check during the viewing, and what to do if the numbers don't add up.

Michael Davies

22 Sep 2026, 7:45 a.m.

6 min read

MOT & Safety

Car Safety Recall Check UK: Is Your Car Affected? Find Out Now

An open safety recall won't fail your MOT, but DVSA now flags it as an advisory. Learn how to check for free by registration and get the repair done at no cost.

Michael Davies

21 Sep 2026, 10:21 a.m.

6 min read

How-To

VIN Check UK: How to Verify a Vehicle ID Number

A VIN uniquely identifies a vehicle, but DVLA checks run by registration number, not VIN. Learn where to find it, why that matters, and how to spot VIN cloning before you buy.

Michael Davies

20 Sep 2026, 6:01 p.m.

7 min read

Buying Guides

Value My Car Free: How Much Is My Car Worth? UK Car Valuation Guide

Value my car for free with the UK’s top tools. Learn how private sale, dealer and part-exchange prices differ, and what actually moves a used car’s value up or down.

James Cooper

20 Sep 2026, 3:22 p.m.

7 min read

Finance & Legal

What Insurance Group Is My Car? How Group Ratings Actually Work

There is no free reg-number lookup for insurance group. Learn who sets UK insurance groups, how the rating system works, and why it matters alongside tax and fuel costs.

Emma Thompson

20 Sep 2026, 3:22 p.m.

7 min read