AutoTrader is where a lot of people start a car search, and its vehicle check is right there next to the listing. CarMate is a separate tool that works on any listing, from any site, and reads the advert and the price as well as the history. Here is an honest look at when each one is the right call.
Side by side
| CarMate | AutoTrader Vehicle Check | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on any listing site | Yes, Gumtree, eBay, Facebook, AutoTrader | Built around AutoTrader listings |
| Reads the advert + seller | Yes, scam and red-flag signals | No, history only |
| Is the price fair? | Yes, market valuation vs asking price | Valuation on AutoTrader's own listings |
| Finance / write-off / stolen | Yes, Experian provenance | Yes, on the full paid check |
| MOT + mileage timeline | Yes, full DVSA history | Yes |
| Buy-or-walk verdict | Yes, one clear recommendation | No, you read the data yourself |
| Negotiation help | Yes, opening offer + script | No |
| Free option | First Listing Check free, plus a free MOT check | Free basic vehicle check |
| Data guarantee | From £10,000 on the History Check | Yes, on the full check |
Where the AutoTrader check is genuinely good
AutoTrader is a trusted, established brand, and its check is sitting right next to the car you are already looking at. The basic check is free, and the full check is backed by Experian data, the same kind of provenance records a proper history check should use. If you are browsing AutoTrader and want a quick background read on a dealer car, it does that job well.
Where CarMate fits better
The catch is that most of the riskiest cars are not on AutoTrader. Private sales on Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and eBay Motors are where the cheap deals and the scams both live, and that is where you most need a second opinion on whether the advert adds up.
CarMate works on a listing from any of those sites, from a screenshot, a URL or the reg. It reads the advert and the seller for scam signals, cross-checks DVLA, DVSA and Experian records, estimates the market value against the asking price, and gives you one plain verdict plus the questions to ask before you view. The AutoTrader check tells you the car's background; CarMate tells you whether to buy this particular advert.
Which should you choose?
- Dealer car on AutoTrader, quick background check - AutoTrader's own check is free and convenient.
- Private sale on Gumtree, Facebook or eBay - CarMate, because it reads the advert and the price, not just the history.
- The full picture on a specific car before you pay - the CarMate Full Buyer Check covers the listing and the history together.
If your main worry is just getting the provenance data for less, our guide on the HPI check alternative covers what a history check should cost.
CarMate is operated by Moose Technologies Ltd. Vehicle provenance is supplied by Experian, with official DVLA and DVSA records. CarMate is not affiliated with Auto Trader, and the comparison above reflects each service's stated focus at the time of writing.