Understand Your CarVeto Certificate:
Safety, Legality & Value Checks
Buying a used car is a significant financial investment that is not easily reversed.
That’s why it’s essential to be confident in the vehicle’s background before making a payment or deposit.
This page helps you interpret key parts of your CarVeto certificate of history, especially where we’ve flagged potential concerns that affect a vehicle’s:
- Safety
- Legality
- Value
As a leading UK car history check service provider, CarVeto delivers data from official bodies, including the DVLA, police theft registers, and finance houses.
We aim to help motorists confidently check, evaluate, and buy vehicles.
Outstanding Finance - Private Seller
Buying a car privately with outstanding finance
Private seller
It is illegal for a private seller to knowingly sell a car with outstanding finance, and you will lose the car unless the loan agreement is settled in full before purchase.
Who has the right to sell?
Outstanding finance means the vehicle belongs to the finance company, not the seller or registered keeper.
The seller must pay off the loan amount to the lender before selling the car.
Protecting your money
We strongly advise obtaining a “settlement letter” stating the lender has no further interest in the vehicle.
CarVeto tip:
Use the details in your CarVeto certificate and contact the lender directly. Quote the agreement reference and vehicle registration numbers, and explain your plan to buy the car.
The lender will tell you the steps to a safe and legal purchase.
Outstanding Finance - Dealer
Buying from a dealer with outstanding finance
Car from a dealer
“Stocking Loan” or “Unit Stocking” is a finance facility accessed by dealers. Lending companies such as Black Horse Motor Finance provide credit facilities to car dealers that buy stock (cars) to put on the forecourt.
Is it safe to buy?
Your CarVeto report will alert you to this type of loan agreement.
Unlike buying a car privately, you can buy a car with outstanding finance from a dealer.
How do I know if it’s dealer-financed?
Check for “Unit Stocking” or “Stocking Loan”.
Discuss the finance with the dealer before you pay a holding deposit or pay for the car in full.
CarVeto tip:
You may also request a settlement letter stating that the lending company have no financial interest in the vehicle.
Stolen - Police or Insurance databases
Recorded stolen with the Police and/or Insurer
Stolen vehicle history
Knowingly buying or selling a stolen car is illegal.
Your CarVeto certificate includes a search in the Police National Computer and Motor Insurance database.
What should I do?
Do not buy the car.
If you believe a stolen car is being sold online, privately or at a car dealership, Contact Us Immediately. Please include the vehicle registration number so we can act quickly.
Write-Off - MIAFTR and Insurer
Written-off accident damage repair
There are four categories of accident damage.
These are Cat A, Cat B, Cat S and Cat N.
In all cases, Category A and B write-offs are not allowed back on the road, even if repaired.
Do not buy a Cat A or Cat B vehicle.
Cat S and Cat N cars can be professionally repaired and returned to the road.
Difference between Cat S and N write-off
Cat S damage usually includes structural repairs, i.e. crumple zones or chassis damage.
Cat N excludes vehicles with structural damage. Therefore, Cat N will most likely be repaired and returned on the road.
Buying a write-off
Can I buy Cat S or Cat N if it’s repaired professionally?
Yes, you can.
We do not recommend buying a car write-off unless you have previous experience or already work in the motor trade.
Why shouldn’t I buy a car write-off?
The value of a car with a write-off status is significantly impacted.
Typically, the value is at least 50% less than that of a like-for-like vehicle without write-off status.
Also note that even without signs of damage, the write-off status remains with the vehicle for its life, even after professional repairs.
Historically, it has been difficult to resell a car written off, and it may be difficult and more costly to insure.
CarVeto tip:
Where available, your CarVeto certificate will include details of vehicle damage. It includes:
- Road traffic accidents with insurance company involvement
- Fire damage
- Water damage
Need more information on written-off cars?
Resource: More information discussing Insurance Write Off Categories
The short video below provides complete details on car accident write-offs.
Mileage Discrepancy - Including Rollbacks
Mileage problems and car clocking
Mileage alerts occur in three circumstances:
- The vehicle odometer developed a fault or breakage and was legitimately replaced
- The vehicle odometer was tampered with, resulting in reduced mileage, which is known as “rollback,” “clocking,” and “mileage fraud.”
- Data input error during an MOT test or independent data handler - Contact our team if you believe mileage data was incorrectly recorded.
Mileage tampering is designed to increase resale value. The practice impacts vehicle safety and value.
Do not buy a car if you know it has suffered mileage fraud.
Genuine odometer replacement
The vehicle could have a legitimate odometer replacement due to damage or wear.
Expect to see the complete documentation of the odometer replacement, including an invoice that includes the following:
- Recorded mileage before and after replacement
- Parts
- Date when the mechanical work was carried out
- Details of the repair centre, including business name, address and VAT number
- Up-to-date vehicle registration document
Can I buy a car with a genuine odometer replacement?
In theory, yes, you can.
Vehicles with previous mileage problems are difficult to resell, and their value is also significantly reduced, so we suggest that you walk away.
Number Plate Changes - DVLA Records
Past and Present Registration Plate Transfers
Most plate changes occur because the registered keeper wants to personalise their vehicle.
A legitimate number plate transfer will be recorded in your CarVeto certificate.
DVLA provides our data to ensure legitimacy.
You can identify all previous registration numbers along with the month and year of transfer.
If the vehicle you are checking has a genuine number plate change, your CarVeto certificate will display a warning alert.
The number plate warning alerts you to act cautiously and ask the seller questions before buying the vehicle.
If you are uncertain about a plate transfer, email our support team.
Customer Contributions
Have your say
We’ve included the vital details you will need before buying a car.
However, if you feel we have missed something or have a comment about this webpage, contact us today!
Tell our team: [email protected]