A car finance checker is a vehicle history check that tells you whether a car still has outstanding finance, meaning a lender such as a bank or finance company has a financial interest in it. The free registration lookup does not show finance. That information is held by finance companies and appears on commercial history checks, so a car that looks spotless on paper can still belong, in effect, to a lender.
Part of Used Car History.
Updated October 2026 · Independent information, not legal advice
Finance matters because the person selling a car may not have the right to sell it outright. Hire purchase, personal contract purchase and conditional sale agreements can leave the lender with a claim on the car until the final payment is made. Knowing how to find out, and what to do if finance turns up, protects your money.
What Is A Car Finance Checker?
A car finance checker searches finance records linked to a registration number or vehicle identification number (VIN) and reports whether any live agreement is registered against the car. It is usually one part of a wider car history check that also covers stolen markers, write-off category and mileage.
Who holds the finance data
Lenders and finance companies record agreements, and commercial history providers collect those records. The data is not published on any government lookup, so no free tool can see it.
What a finance check returns
A report typically gives a clear or outstanding result, the lender's name where one exists and a contact route to confirm the settlement position.
Car Finance Checker Free: What You Can And Cannot Get
A car finance checker free of charge does not exist in the full sense, because finance data is commercial. What you can get free is the official DVLA and DVSA record, which helps spot warning signs but never proves a car is finance-free.
What the free lookup shows
Entering the registration into the free number plate check returns make, model, colour, fuel, engine size, MOT history, mileage readings and tax status.
What it does not show
- Outstanding finance: not shown.
- Stolen status: not shown.
- Write-off category: not shown.
- Service history and previous keepers: not shown.
Why Finance Matters When Buying A Used Car
Finance matters because a lender can have a legal claim on a car until the agreement is paid off. If the seller does not settle it, the lender may try to recover the car, and the buyer can end up out of pocket for both the vehicle and the money spent.
The risk in plain terms
You pay the seller, the seller does not pay the lender, and the lender still treats the car as its security. This is the central danger behind every finance check.
Why the V5C does not help
The V5C, or logbook, names the registered keeper, not the legal owner. A finance company does not usually appear on it, so the paperwork looks normal even when finance is live.
How Finance Works: Keeper, Owner And Lender
Finance separates the keeper from the owner. The registered keeper drives and looks after the car; under many agreements the lender remains the legal owner until the final payment. That is why a seller can be the keeper on the V5C and still be unable to pass on clean title.
Keeper versus owner
The DVLA records the registered keeper. It does not record who legally owns the vehicle, which is why the vehicle registration document information topic stresses the difference.
What happens at the end of an agreement
Once the last payment is made and any final fee is paid, ownership passes to the customer. Until then, the car is subject to the agreement terms.
Hire Purchase (HP)
Hire purchase means paying for a car in instalments, with ownership transferring to you when you have made all the payments and any option-to-purchase fee. Until then the finance company owns the car.
Key features
- Deposit and monthly payments: spread over a fixed term.
- Ownership at the end: after the last payment and fee.
- Early settlement: usually possible by asking for a settlement figure.
Why HP matters for buyers
A car on HP that the seller has not paid off can be reclaimed by the lender, so any outstanding HP is a serious red flag for a private buyer.
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
Personal contract purchase keeps monthly payments lower by leaving a large final payment, often called the balloon, due at the end if you want to keep the car. During the agreement the finance company owns it.
The choices at the end
- Pay the final amount and keep the car.
- Hand the car back.
- Part-exchange it for another.
PCP and mileage limits
PCP agreements normally set an annual mileage limit, which makes mileage history relevant both for owners and for anyone buying a former PCP car.
Conditional Sale
A conditional sale agreement is similar to HP, but ownership usually passes to the customer on the final payment without a separate option fee. Until the last payment, the seller or lender remains the owner.
How it differs from HP
The practical result for a buyer is the same: while the agreement is live, the seller may not have the right to sell. The legal wording differs, so check each agreement.
Lease And Personal Contract Hire
With a lease, often called personal contract hire, you never own the car and return it at the end. The leasing company stays the legal owner throughout, and a lease car should not be sold privately at all.
Why leased cars appear for sale
Occasionally a car off lease is sold by a dealer after return. A private seller offering a leased car is a major warning sign.
How a check helps
A history check flags a lease or finance marker so that you can ask the lender for confirmation.
Personal Loans And Logbook Loans
A personal loan used to buy a car does not leave the lender with a claim on the vehicle, so the car is the borrower's to sell. A logbook loan, however, is secured on the car through a bill of sale, which can give the lender rights over it.
Why the difference matters
- Personal loan: no claim on the car.
- Logbook loan: lender may hold security over it.
Detection
A logbook loan may or may not show on a history check, so ask the seller directly and ask for documents.
How Finance Types Compare
| Type | Who owns the car during the term | Ownership passes | Risk to a private buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase (HP) | The finance company | After final payment and fee | High if unpaid |
| PCP | The finance company | If you pay the final amount | High if unpaid |
| Conditional sale | The seller or lender | On final payment | High if unpaid |
| Lease or contract hire | The leasing company | Never | Very high |
| Personal loan | The driver | At purchase | Low |
How to use the comparison
Treat any car under HP, PCP, conditional sale or lease as one that must be cleared or confirmed by the lender before you pay.
How To Check If A Car Has Finance
The reliable way is to run a commercial vehicle finance check on the registration and VIN, then confirm any result with the lender named. The free lookup alone cannot show finance.
- Get the registration and VIN from the seller in advance.
- Run the free lookup to confirm basic details.
- Run a commercial vehicle finance check.
- If finance appears, contact the lender and ask for the settlement position.
- Pay only once the finance is settled and confirmed in writing.
Ask the seller directly
Ask whether the car has ever been on finance and whether it has been settled. Ask to see the settlement letter. A confident, documented answer is reassuring; a vague one is not.
What A Vehicle Finance Check Covers
A vehicle finance check records live agreements registered against the car. Depending on the provider it can also include stolen markers, write-off category, plate changes and mileage flags in one report.
- Finance: live agreements and the lender.
- Stolen: police-sourced markers.
- Write-off: insurer category data from MIAFTR.
- Plate changes: past registrations.
Limits to remember
No report is perfect. A recently taken agreement may not have registered yet, and reports depend on data supplied by third parties. Read the terms of each report.
Free HPI Check And Free HPI Finance Check: What People Mean
Searches for a free HPI check or free HPI finance check usually mean a no-cost history report. HPI is a well-known trade name for vehicle history checks; many providers offer similar services. The free tier tends to show basic details, with finance and stolen markers behind a fee.
What to expect from a free option
Free options typically confirm make, model and MOT data, similar to the official lookup. Finance detail is commonly reserved for a paid report.
A neutral note
Nothing here recommends or rates any provider. Compare what each report states it includes, and who supplies its data.
HPI Clear Check And Car HPI Check
An HPI clear check result means a report found no markers on finance, stolen, write-off or similar fields at the time of the check. A car HPI check is shorthand for a full commercial history check.
What clear really means
Clear means nothing was recorded against the car in the sources searched on that date. It does not guarantee the car is mechanically sound or that nothing has been recorded since.
Keep a copy
Save the report, with its date and reference, as evidence you checked before buying.
Best HPI Check, Cheap HPI Check And Cheapest HPI Check
People often search for the best HPI check, a cheap HPI check, the cheapest HPI check or even the cheapest HPI finance check. No ranking or recommendation is given here, because prices are set by providers and change. What matters is what a report covers.
How to compare reports
- Data covered: finance, stolen, write-off, mileage, plate history.
- Guarantee terms: what the provider offers if the data proves wrong.
- Data sources: where each marker comes from.
- Date stamp: reports are a snapshot.
Price versus value
A report costs far less than the car. Choose on what it covers and any guarantee, not only on price.
Car History Check: What Else Sits Alongside Finance
A car history check looks at the whole record, not just finance. Alongside finance, the main elements are stolen markers, write-off category, plate changes, mileage and the number of previous keepers.
The main elements
- Outstanding finance: lenders.
- Stolen vehicle: police records via the Police National Computer.
- Write-off category: insurers via MIAFTR.
- Scrapped vehicle: DVLA and authorised treatment facility records.
- Mileage: MOT readings.
Where each lives
Read used car history checks for the full picture of who holds which record.
How Can I Check Car History?
If you ask how can I check car history, begin with the free official data, then add a commercial report, then check the paperwork and the car in person. Each layer catches different problems.
- Free lookup for MOT, tax and mileage.
- Commercial history check for finance, stolen and write-off.
- V5C and paperwork review.
- Physical inspection or independent mechanic.
Why layering works
No single source holds everything. The free versus paid vehicle checks topic explains what each layer covers.
How To See Car History For Free
To see car history for free, use the DVSA MOT history and the DVLA vehicle details. They show test results, advisories, mileage and tax. They do not show finance, stolen status or write-offs.
Useful free clues
- A fall in mileage between tests.
- Repeated advisories for the same fault.
- A long gap in tests.
- A colour or engine mismatch with the car.
Where free clues end
If the free data looks clean, the next step is a commercial check, not confidence.
Stolen Status: How To Lookup If A Car Is Stolen
Anyone asking how to lookup if a car is stolen will find that no free public database lists stolen vehicles. Police hold the reports, and commercial checks show markers drawn from that data. See how to check if a vehicle is stolen.
The Police National Computer
The PNC is the police record where thefts are logged. Providers receive marker data through sharing arrangements, which is how a report can show a stolen vehicle.
The police route
For a specific concern, the police can advise. Use the non-emergency line or your local force contact.
Has My Car Been Written Off? A Free Check And Its Limits
Anyone asking has my car been written off free check should know that write-off data comes from insurers, so the free official lookup does not show it. A commercial report can, and a physical inspection can reveal repair signs.
Write-off categories
- Category A: scrap only.
- Category B: break only, parts may be reused.
- Category S: structural damage, repaired and returned to the road.
- Category N: non-structural damage, repaired and returned to the road.
Where the data comes from
Insurers record total losses on the MIAFTR database. See check if a car has been written off for more.
How To Check If A Car Is A Write Off
To learn how to check if car is a write off, run a commercial history check that includes insurer data, then ask the seller for repair invoices if a category appears. Do not accept a verbal assurance.
What to look at on the car
Uneven panel gaps, overspray, mismatched paint and warning lights on the dash can all point to heavy repair work.
Why paperwork matters
A repaired write-off should come with evidence of the work. No evidence means more risk and usually a lower value.
Category Car Check: How To Check If A Car Is Categorised
A category car check and the question how to check if a car is categorised both lead to the same place: a commercial report showing A, B, S or N status. The free lookup does not display it.
What a category means for you
A Cat S or Cat N car can be legal to drive after repair, but may be harder to insure and to resell. Ask the insurer before buying.
Reading the label sensibly
The label records the original loss decision. The quality of repair is a separate question that needs an inspection.
Car Service Check And Service History Checker
A car service check looks at whether the car was maintained. A service history checker is not a registration lookup in the same way as MOT data, because servicing records sit with garages and manufacturers.
Where service data lives
- Service book: stamps and invoices.
- Garage systems: held by the workshop.
- Manufacturer records: held by dealers for work done in the network.
Why it matters with finance
A well-serviced car can still have finance. Check both. The car service history topic explains how to trace records.
Car Service History Checker And Check Car Service History Online Free UK
Anyone hoping to check car service history online free UK or use a car service history checker will find MOT history free but servicing not. Ask previous garages, use manufacturer owner portals where they exist and contact a dealer with the VIN.
What is realistic online
MOT results and advisories are free by registration. Servicing records usually need a manufacturer account or a garage.
Tips
Compare each service date and mileage with the MOT readings. Inconsistencies are a warning.
Mileage And MOT History
Mileage comes from the odometer reading at each MOT, held by the DVSA. A falling reading is a warning. Combine it with a finance check, because a car with inconsistent mileage may also have an unclear history. See mileage check.
Reading the pattern
Look for steady gains. Sudden falls, flat years or jumps all deserve questions.
Link with finance
PCP and lease agreements often carry mileage limits, so a former PCP car may show a pattern that fits those limits.
Insurance And The Motor Insurance Database
Insurance is separate from finance. The Motor Insurance Database holds insurance records, and askMID lets the public check whether a vehicle is insured. A free number plate check does not show insurance.
Why the two differ
Finance concerns who has a financial claim on the car. Insurance concerns who is covered to drive it. A car can be insured and financed at once.
Checking your own cover
Use is my car insured to see how to confirm cover.
Is My Old Car Still On The Road?
If you wonder is my old car still on the road, the MOT, tax and SORN status for the registration shows whether it is in use. Read find my old car for what you can and cannot learn about a car you used to own.
What the record shows
- Valid MOT and tax: likely in use.
- SORN: declared off the road.
- Expired MOT with no tax: possibly laid up or scrapped.
What the record never shows
Who has the car now, or where it is. Owner details are protected data.
Scrapped Vehicles
A scrapped vehicle recorded through the DVLA or an authorised treatment facility should not return to the road under that registration. Cars sometimes reappear with a cloned identity, so a mismatch between records and the car is a warning.
How to check
A commercial check can flag a scrapped marker. See check if a car has been scrapped.
Why it relates to finance
A car marked scrapped but offered for sale may be a stolen or cloned identity, and finance may still be attached to the genuine one.
Imported Vehicles
An imported vehicle may carry finance from the country it came from or be missing UK history before import. Ask for foreign documents, the date of first UK registration and proof that any foreign finance was settled.
Why imports are harder
UK reports cover UK registrations. Earlier history abroad may not appear.
What to ask
- Original registration documents.
- Import and UK registration paperwork.
- Proof of settlement of any foreign agreement.
What The Free Lookup Shows Compared With A Finance Check
| Item | Free lookup | Commercial check |
|---|---|---|
| MOT history and mileage | Yes | Yes |
| Tax status | Yes | Yes |
| Outstanding finance | No | Yes |
| Stolen marker | No | Yes |
| Write-off category | No | Yes |
| Previous keepers | No | Sometimes |
The takeaway
The free lookup is the first step and a commercial finance check is the second. Neither replaces looking at the car and its paperwork.
What To Do If Finance Is Outstanding
If a check shows outstanding finance, do not pay until it is settled and confirmed in writing. Talk to the seller and the lender. Many sellers genuinely intend to pay it off with the sale proceeds, and there are safe ways to arrange that.
- Ask the seller for the lender's name and a settlement figure.
- Contact the lender yourself to confirm the position.
- Agree that the settlement is paid directly to the lender.
- Receive written confirmation that the agreement is closed.
- Only then complete the sale and take the car.
If the seller refuses
A seller who will not let finance be settled before sale is a reason to walk away.
Settlement Figures And Paying Off Finance
A settlement figure is the amount needed to close an agreement on a given date. The lender provides it, and it changes over time. It should be confirmed in writing, and the lender should confirm when payment is received.
Paying the lender directly
Where possible, pay the settlement to the lender and the remainder to the seller, so the buyer sees the finance cleared.
Keep the evidence
Keep the settlement letter, payment receipt and lender confirmation. They protect you if a dispute arises later.
What If You Have Already Bought A Car With Finance?
If you discover finance after buying, contact the lender at once, tell the seller and seek advice from Citizens Advice, Trading Standards or a solicitor. Do not ignore it. The lender may be entitled to recover the car.
Immediate steps
- Gather the sale paperwork and messages.
- Run a commercial check to confirm the finance marker.
- Contact the lender and ask for its position.
- Get legal or consumer advice.
Do not hand the car over without advice
Do not give the car away without understanding your rights, but do not ignore genuine legal requests either.
Private Buyer Protections
Under certain UK rules, a private buyer who buys a car in good faith from someone who has it on HP or conditional sale may, in some circumstances, acquire good title. This is a legal exception with conditions, and it does not apply to leased cars or to trade sellers.
Do not rely on it
The exception is complex and disputes are costly. Relying on it instead of checking is risky, and you should take legal advice if you are affected.
Why checking is still better
A check costs far less than a legal dispute and avoids the problem altogether.
Buying From A Dealer Versus A Private Seller
A dealer has legal duties around a car's description and fitness, and a reputable dealer should have checked the finance position. A private seller has fewer obligations, so the burden falls on the buyer to check.
Dealer sales
- Consumer rights: often stronger.
- Finance: a dealer should clear it or confirm title.
- Warranty: may be offered.
Private sales
Run your own checks, and get a written receipt with the seller's name and address.
- Meet at the registered address.
- See the V5C and ID.
- Use a traceable payment method.
Selling A Car On Finance
If you want to sell a car on finance, ask the lender for a settlement figure and either pay it off first or arrange for the buyer to pay the lender directly. You cannot pass clean title until the agreement is settled.
Be honest with buyers
Tell the buyer about the finance and offer the settlement letter. A transparent seller makes a safer transaction.
Check your agreement
- Early settlement terms.
- Any limit on selling the car.
- Notice needed by the lender.
Some agreements have conditions on selling or early settlement. Read the terms or ask the lender.
Car Credit Check: Your Credit Versus The Car's Finance
A car credit check can mean two different things. For a buyer it may mean checking a car for finance; for a borrower it means a lender checking your credit file when you apply. The two are unrelated, and a finance checker does not show your credit score.
Checking your own credit
Credit reference agencies hold your file, and you can usually view your own report before applying for finance. This does not affect a car's history.
Why the confusion
Search terms overlap. A car history check concerns the car; a credit check concerns the borrower.
Motorbikes And The Free Motorbike Check UK
A free motorbike check UK shows MOT, tax and basic details but not finance, stolen or write-off data. Bikes can also carry finance, so a commercial bike check is wise. The motorbike HPI check topic covers the details.
Frame number
Compare the frame number on the bike with the V5C. Mismatches are serious.
Mopeds and scooters
The same rules apply: check finance, confirm the V5C and see the machine in person.
Vans And Commercial Vehicles
Vans are often bought on finance or lease by businesses. Check the finance position and mileage, and treat very high mileage as normal for the job rather than a fault. Ask for the full service record.
Ex-fleet vans
Ex-fleet vans often have good records but heavy use. A finance check still matters.
Commercial lease
Leased vans should not be sold privately. Check for a lease marker.
Company Cars And Leasing
Company cars are often leased, so the legal owner is the leasing company. A former company car sold by a dealer should have a clear title. Never buy one from an individual who cannot show how they obtained it.
Salary sacrifice and benefit-in-kind
Employees may drive a company car without owning it. Benefit-in-kind tax applies and is set by HMRC; see the company car tax calculator for the concept.
Check before buying
Run a finance check and ask the seller for evidence of ownership.
- Dealer invoice or return paperwork.
- Lender confirmation of closure.
- Matching V5C and VIN.
Electric Vehicles And Battery Finance
Electric vehicles can be bought on the same finance types as petrol cars. Some have battery leases, which can mean separate ownership of the battery. Ask the seller to explain any such agreement in writing.
Why it matters
A battery lease can transfer or end on sale, and the terms vary.
Check the paperwork
Ask for the battery agreement and confirm the terms with the provider.
- Who owns the battery.
- What happens on sale.
- Any monthly charge that continues.
- Warranty cover.
Classics And Dateless-Plate Cars
Classic cars are usually owned outright, but loans secured on valuable classics exist. Check the finance position, the V5C and the car's identity. A dateless plate can add value and may be separate from the car.
Verify identity
Match the VIN or chassis number to the records.
Provenance
A classic with a documented history is easier to trust. See private number plates on finance if a plate is financed.
Private plates on finance
A private registration can be on a car under finance. The registration is assigned to the car, so settling the car's finance matters before any plate transfer. See private number plates on finance for the details.
Plates and ownership
The DVLA records the entitlement to a registration, but finance on the car can affect what you may do with it.
Ask the lender
If a plate is to be moved from a financed car, ask the lender whether consent is needed.
Great Britain Versus Northern Ireland
Great Britain MOT history comes from the DVSA, while Northern Ireland tests are run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Registration and tax remain with the DVLA. Finance checks work on the registration and VIN in either place.
Records to expect
Results for a Northern Ireland car may differ, so ask for test certificates. The driver and vehicle agency topic explains the DVA's role.
Irish cars
A car from the Republic of Ireland uses a different system and is not covered by DVLA or DVSA records. See Irish reg check.
Common Mistakes And Myths
Some beliefs lead buyers into trouble.
- "The V5C proves the seller owns it": it names the keeper only.
- "A free check shows finance": it does not.
- "Finance is the buyer's problem only after sale": it should be solved before.
- "A recent MOT means no finance": unrelated.
- "The seller promised to settle it": get it in writing.
Another trap
Buying on a sellers' screenshot of a report. Run your own.
A Buyer's Finance Checklist
Use this before paying.
- Run the free lookup and compare details with the car.
- Run a commercial finance, stolen and write-off check.
- Ask whether the car has ever been on finance.
- Check the VIN on the car against the V5C and report.
- Contact any lender named and get a written settlement position.
- Pay by a traceable method and keep receipts.
- Never buy without the V5C.
Quick-check tools
The rapid car check idea and the what to look for when buying a used car topic add practical viewing steps.
Where The Official Sources Are
The official free services for vehicle details and MOT are on GOV.UK, run by the DVLA and DVSA. Finance data is held by lenders and commercial providers. For consumer problems, Citizens Advice and Trading Standards are the usual first points of contact. Check GOV.UK for the current position.
Next steps
Good vehicle provenance checking means running the free lookup first, then a commercial finance check, then inspect the car. That order catches most problems before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a car has finance?
Run a commercial vehicle finance check using the registration and VIN, then confirm any result with the lender named. The free DVLA and DVSA lookup does not show finance. Ask the seller whether the car has ever been on finance, ask for a settlement letter, and do not pay until any outstanding agreement is cleared and confirmed in writing.
Is there a car finance check free?
Not in the full sense. Finance data is held by lenders and compiled by commercial providers, so the free official lookup does not show it. Some providers offer a limited free tier, but the finance result is usually part of a paid report. Read what each report covers before relying on it.
What types of car finance are there?
The main types are hire purchase, personal contract purchase, conditional sale, lease or contract hire and personal loans. In the first four the lender or leasing company owns the car for some or all of the term, which is why they matter to buyers. A personal loan normally leaves the borrower as the owner.
Can I buy a car that is still on finance?
You can, but only if the finance is settled as part of the sale and you have written confirmation. Pay the lender the settlement figure directly where possible. Buying without clearing it risks the lender reclaiming the car, so walk away from sellers who refuse to settle first.
Does the V5C show if a car is on finance?
No. The V5C records the registered keeper, not the legal owner, and finance companies do not usually appear on it. A car can have a perfect V5C and still be on live finance. Always run a commercial check and ask the seller directly.
What happens if I buy a car with outstanding finance?
The lender may be entitled to recover the car because the seller did not settle the agreement. There are legal exceptions that can protect some private good-faith buyers, but they are complex and conditional. Contact the lender, gather your paperwork and get advice from Citizens Advice, Trading Standards or a solicitor quickly.
What is a settlement figure?
It is the amount needed to close a finance agreement on a given date, supplied by the lender. It changes over time and should be confirmed in writing. When a car is being sold, the buyer can often pay the settlement directly to the lender and the rest to the seller.
Is a free HPI check reliable?
A free check usually confirms basic vehicle details drawn from official records, which are reliable for what they cover. They do not normally show finance, stolen status or write-offs, which sit behind a paid report. No provider is recommended here, so compare what each says it includes.
Can a free check show if a car is stolen or written off?
No. Stolen markers come from police data and write-off categories come from insurers, both shown on commercial history checks. The free lookup shows MOT, tax and mileage only. For a used car purchase, add a commercial check to the free lookup.
What does HPI clear mean?
It means that, at the date of the check, the report found no recorded finance, stolen marker, write-off or similar issue in the sources it searched. It is a snapshot, not a guarantee of condition. Keep the report and compare it with the car and paperwork.
Can I check finance on a motorbike?
Yes. A commercial bike history check can show finance, stolen and write-off markers using the registration and frame number. The free lookup shows MOT, tax and details only. Always compare the frame number on the bike with the V5C and the report.
Does a finance check show my credit score?
No. A car finance check concerns the vehicle, not the driver. Your credit file is held by credit reference agencies and checked by lenders when you apply for finance. The phrase car credit check is used for both, so be clear which you mean.
Can I sell a car that is on finance?
Only once the agreement is settled or the buyer pays the lender directly as part of the sale. Ask the lender for a settlement figure, tell the buyer about the finance and keep written confirmation. Selling without settling can cause serious problems for you and the buyer.
Is my old car still on the road?
The registration's MOT, tax and SORN status shows whether it is in use. Valid MOT and tax suggest it is. SORN means it is declared off the road. The record never shows who has it or where it is, because owner details are protected data.
How do I check the category of a write-off?
Use a commercial history check that includes insurer data from MIAFTR. It shows categories A, B, S and N. Ask the seller for repair invoices if a category appears and have the car inspected. The free official lookup does not display write-off data.
Official Sources
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Confirm anything that affects your money or legal position with the official service.