Car Finance Check by Reg, Find Outstanding Finance Before You Buy
Run an instant car finance check against Experian records to spot outstanding HP, PCP and logbook loan agreements. If the finance is still active, the lender owns the car, not the seller. Catch it before you hand over a penny.
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Dealers don’t check finance before resale
Data Guarantee on finance records
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What we check
Our car finance check pulls live finance agreement data from Experian, the credit reference agency used by UK lenders to register secured vehicle agreements. We cross reference this with DVLA keeper records, MIAFTR insurance write-off markers and Police National Computer stolen vehicle data to give you the full picture on one page.
Finance data is not held by the DVLA and is not available through any free government lookup. For context on what government services do cover, see the DVLA vehicle information service. Lenders update their records continuously, so a fresh check is the only way to know the position today.
Why it matters
When a car is bought on HP or PCP, the lender legally owns it until the final payment clears. If you buy a vehicle with outstanding finance, the lender can repossess it, even if you paid the seller in full and in good faith. You lose the car and you lose the money.
It is more common than people assume. Industry figures suggest around one in three dealers resell stock without running a fresh finance check, and private sellers rarely disclose an active agreement. For your rights after a purchase goes wrong, Citizens Advice sets out the options.
HP, PCP and logbook loans explained
Most dealer finance is Hire Purchase (HP) or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), both secured against the vehicle. Logbook loans are a separate product where a private borrower uses their own car as collateral, and they are some of the hardest agreements to spot without a proper check. Our report flags all three where registered.
Unsecured personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts used to buy a car are not registered against the vehicle, so they will not show on any finance check in the UK. Regulated car finance is overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority, which also publishes guidance for buyers and borrowers.
Who needs this check
Private buyers
Private sales carry no consumer protection. A finance check is the single fastest way to confirm the seller can legally pass ownership to you.
Trade and small dealers
Part-exchanges and auction stock are a common source of hidden finance. Re-checking before retail protects your margin and your customer.
Auction bidders
Online auctions move fast and disclosure varies. A check by reg takes seconds and confirms the lot is clear before you commit.
Gift recipients and family sales
Older family cars can still carry historical logbook loans. A quick check avoids awkward surprises long after the handover.
What’s included in your report
Outstanding HP and PCP finance agreements
Logbook loans registered against the vehicle
Lender name, agreement date and contact details
Stolen, write-off and salvage markers
Keeper timeline and mileage verification
£30k Data Guarantee
Where our data comes from
Every report pulls from official UK databases, not third-party aggregators.
Experian
Live finance agreement records from UK lenders
DVLA
Keeper, VIN and registered vehicle data
MIAFTR
Insurance industry write-off and total loss records
Police (PNC)
Stolen vehicle and cloned plate markers
DVSA
Full MOT history, advisories and mileage readings
HMRC / Import data
Import, export and Q-plate status where applicable
How it works
Enter the registration
Type the reg of the car you want to check. We match it against DVLA and finance databases in real time.
Pay securely
£9.99 for a single report, or start CarVerify+ for £4.99 covering seven days, then £9.99 every four weeks.
Get your report
Your full finance check arrives instantly on screen and by email. Share it with the seller or take it to the dealer.
Common questions
Can I run a car finance check for free?
No. Finance data is held in private credit databases such as Experian and is not included in any free government or DVLA service. A paid check is the only way to confirm whether an agreement is active.
What happens if I buy a car with outstanding finance?
The finance company still legally owns the vehicle and can repossess it, even if you paid the seller in full. You would then need to pursue the seller directly to recover your money, which is often difficult.
Are logbook loans included in the check?
Yes. Where a logbook loan is registered against the vehicle it appears on the report, alongside HP and PCP agreements. These are some of the most commonly missed forms of finance in private sales.
Does the check cover cloned number plates?
Our report flags Police (PNC) stolen markers and mismatches between the VIN, make, model and colour on DVLA records. Cloned vehicles frequently trigger one or more of these inconsistencies, so they are a useful early warning sign.
How quickly will I get my report?
Reports are delivered instantly on screen and by email after payment. There is no waiting list and no manual review step.
What is the £30,000 data guarantee?
If the finance, stolen or write-off data in your report is later shown to be incorrect at the time of purchase, you may claim up to £30,000 under the guarantee, subject to the full terms published on our site.
Don’t pay for someone else’s debt
Run a car finance check by reg now and know exactly who owns the vehicle before money changes hands.
£30k guarantee