Frequently Asked Questions

CarMate is a used car checking tool for UK buyers. Paste a listing or enter a registration and we cross-reference it against official DVLA and DVSA records, run a market price check and a scam-signal check, and give you a clear verdict, an opening offer, and the questions to ask, all before you view. We also run a full vehicle History Check powered by Experian for finance, write-off and stolen markers.

There are three ways to start: paste a Gumtree or eBay Motors URL, upload a screenshot from any listing site, or enter the details manually. We cross-reference the vehicle against official DVLA and DVSA MOT records, run a market price check, and generate a full report with a deal score and verdict in under 60 seconds.

Both. CarMate runs three checks. The Listing Check (1 credit) scores whether a listing is a good deal. The History Check (2 credits) is a full Experian vehicle provenance check for finance, write-off, stolen, scrapped, import, plate and keeper history plus MOT mileage, and it is backed by a data guarantee from £10,000. The Full Buyer Check (2 credits) combines both in one report. So CarMate is more than a listing analyser: it also does proper history checks, the same class of data as an HPI check, for less.

URL analysis works with Gumtree and eBay Motors. For any other site (AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, dealers), upload a screenshot of the listing or enter the details manually. Every route supports the reg plate lookup that pulls official DVLA and MOT data.

Yes. The CarMate History Check uses Experian vehicle data to report outstanding finance, insurance write-off category (Cat A, B, S or N), stolen and scrapped markers, import and export records, plate transfers and keeper history, plus a full MOT mileage timeline that flags clocking. Outstanding finance is the single most important check on a private sale: if the car still has finance against it, the lender can legally repossess it from you even after you have paid.

It is a full vehicle provenance check powered by Experian, the same class of data behind a traditional HPI check, plus the MOT mileage history, and it is backed by a data guarantee from £10,000. A History Check is £11.98 (2 credits), or less per check in a multipack. You can run it on its own from a registration, or add it to a listing report for 1 extra credit.

Yes. Every History Check is backed by an Experian data guarantee from £10,000. If a recorded marker, such as outstanding finance or a write-off, was on the records at the time of your check but the report missed it, the guarantee protects you up to its limit. It covers the accuracy of the data at the time of the check, not finance or other events added to the car after the check date, since a history check is a snapshot in time. The £10,000 cover suits most used cars, since it only needs to cover the value of the car you are buying. This is separate from our 30-day money-back guarantee on the purchase itself.

It covers the same kind of provenance data people mean by an HPI check (HPI is a brand name that became a generic term), sourced from Experian: finance, write-off, stolen, scrapped and import markers. Unlike a standard history check, CarMate also tells you whether the asking price is fair and flags scam signals in the listing, and it is cheaper.

A listing check is 1 credit (£5.99, or down to about £4.60 per credit in a multipack: 3 for £14.99, 5 for £22.99). A full History Check is 2 credits (£11.98). New users get their first listing check free for a limited time. Purchased credits never expire and there is no subscription.

A deal score (0-100) with a colour-coded verdict (Good Deal / Proceed with Caution / Not Recommended), official DVLA tax and MOT status, full MOT history analysis, price vs market analysis, model-specific known issues, pros and cons, negotiation tips, questions to ask the seller, a scam-signal check, and a downloadable PDF.

All major credit and debit cards through Stripe, our secure payment processor. Your card details are never stored on our servers.

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied for any reason, contact us at support@car-mate.co.uk within 30 days of purchase and we'll issue a full refund. Technical failures that prevent report generation are always refunded in full.

The score combines several signals: DVLA verification, MOT history, price vs market, mileage consistency, listing quality, and scam checks. Scores of 67-100 indicate a Good Deal, 34-66 means Proceed with Caution, and 0-33 means Not Recommended. If an objective fraud check fires (for example a confirmed mileage drop between MOTs), it overrides the score so a risky car can never show as a good deal. Always inspect the car in person before buying.

Vehicle and tax details come directly from the DVLA, MOT history from the DVSA, and vehicle provenance (finance, write-off, stolen) from Experian, all official sources. The market pricing and written analysis are produced by CarMate on top of that official data. We label what is verified official data versus an estimate so you always know what you are looking at.

Enter the vehicle's UK registration and we pull official data directly from DVLA and DVSA, including tax status, MOT validity, engine size, fuel type, and colour, then cross-reference it against the listing to flag inconsistencies automatically.

Yes. Each report includes up to 15 chat questions. Ask anything about the specific listing: pricing, negotiation, what to check on inspection, or anything in the report. The assistant has full context of the report and the vehicle's history.

Yes. All your reports are saved permanently to your account, separated into private listings, auction lots and history checks. Access them any time from My Reports and download the PDF whenever you need it.

Official DVLA, DVSA and Experian data is pulled directly from source. The written analysis is based on the information available in the listing and those records. We cannot verify physical condition or confirm service records, so always inspect the vehicle in person and consider an independent mechanic's inspection before purchase.

Yes. CarMate has a dedicated auction mode for Copart UK and BCA lots. Paste the lot URL or enter the details manually and we analyse the damage category, primary and secondary damage, driveability and estimated repair cost, then calculate an all-in cost including the buyer's fee (from the real fee schedule) so you know your maximum sensible bid before the auction starts.

Email us at support@car-mate.co.uk. We typically respond within 24 hours on business days.