Both free and paid car checks have a place. The right answer depends on how much money is on the line and how much you already know about the seller.
When a free reg check is enough
A free DVLA + DVSA check answers basic questions:
- Is the car taxed and MOT'd?
- What is the MOT history like — repeat advisories, recent failures?
- Does the recorded mileage progress sensibly?
- Do the make, model and engine match the advert?
That is enough if you are:
- Sanity-checking a vehicle you already own.
- Looking up a friend or family member's car.
- Scoping out a forecourt before a visit.
- Considering a very low-value (< £1,000) vehicle where a £9.99 report would be a meaningful share of the price.
When you need a paid history report
Free checks cannot tell you whether the car has:
- Outstanding finance — the finance company can repossess the car after you buy it.
- Been recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer.
- Been written off by an insurer (Cat A, B, S or N).
- A mileage that conflicts with previously advertised mileages.
If you are spending real money — anything over £1,500–£2,000 — a paid history report is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Where RegRadar fits
RegRadar is designed to do both. The free reg check returns the full DVLA and DVSA picture with no signup. The £9.99 premium report adds finance, stolen, write-off and previous-advert data from Experian and Cazana/Percayso through One Auto API. RegRadar is independent and not affiliated with HPI, DVLA, DVSA, Experian, One Auto API, Cazana or Percayso.
Bottom line
Use the free reg check to screen cars out before viewing. Use a £9.99 history report on the one or two cars you are seriously considering buying. Never skip the paid report on a private sale — the seller is not contractually obliged to disclose finance or write-off history.