Why Do a Van Check Before Buying? UK Guide

Every year, over 98,000 vehicles are stolen across the UK. Tens of thousands more are sold with outstanding finance, clocked mileage, or hidden accident histories. And a significant chunk of those vehicles? Vans. If you're in the market for a used van, skipping a pre-purchase history check isn't just risky—it could cost you your entire investment and leave you legally liable for someone else's debt.

The Real Risks of Skipping a Van Check

The used van market moves fast. Sellers know this, and so do fraudsters. Here are the four biggest risks you face when buying a van without a history check:

1. Buying a Stolen Van

With 98,625 vehicles reported stolen in 2025 alone, the chances of encountering a stolen van on the used market are very real. If you unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle, the police can seize it—and you won't receive a penny in compensation. The van is returned to its rightful owner or insurer, and you're left with nothing but a police report.

2. Outstanding Finance (The Hidden Debt Trap)

Industry data suggests 10–15% of used vans on the market have outstanding finance agreements attached to them. Under UK law, if a van is sold while finance is still owed, the finance company retains legal ownership—not you. You could pay full market price for a van and have it repossessed weeks later. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes UK van buyers make.

3. Undisclosed Write-Offs

Insurance write-offs are categorised as Cat A, B, S, or N in the UK. Category S and N vehicles can legally be repaired and resold—but sellers aren't always upfront about this history. A van that's been in a serious accident and poorly repaired can have compromised structural integrity, making it dangerous to drive and nearly impossible to insure at standard rates.

4. Mileage Fraud (Clocking)

Mileage fraud—or 'clocking'—remains widespread in the UK commercial vehicle market. A van with 180,000 miles on the clock that's been wound back to show 60,000 will command a dramatically higher price while hiding the true wear on its engine, gearbox, and suspension. Without a mileage verification check, you have no way of knowing what you're really buying.

Real UK example: A sole trader in the Midlands purchased a Ford Transit for £12,500. Three weeks later, a finance company contacted him to repossess the vehicle—the previous owner had defaulted on a £9,800 HP agreement. Without a pre-purchase check, he lost his van and his money. A MotorCheck report would have flagged the finance in seconds.

What a Comprehensive Van Check Reveals

A full MotorCheck van history report covers every major risk area in a single, instant report. Here's what you get:

MotorCheck Report: Key Data Points

• Stolen vehicle check — cross-referenced against national police databases
• Outstanding finance check — HP, PCP, and lease agreements flagged instantly
• Write-off history — Cat A, B, S, and N insurance records
• Mileage verification — historical MOT mileage records to detect clocking
• MOT history — full pass/fail records, advisory notes, and test dates
• Vehicle tax status — current DVLA tax records
• Number of previous owners — ownership chain transparency
• Import/export status — flagged if the vehicle has been imported
• Colour changes — indicates potential identity fraud
• Valuation data — current market value based on real UK transactions
• AI-powered accuracy — cross-referenced data for maximum reliability

With over 27,000 van checks performed monthly on platforms like MotorCheck, buyers across the UK are already protecting themselves. The question is: are you?

Step-by-Step: How to Run a MotorCheck Van Check

Running a van check with MotorCheck takes less than two minutes. Here's exactly how it works:

Step 1: Enter the Van's Registration Number

Head to the MotorCheck van check page and enter the van's UK registration plate. You don't need the V5C logbook or any other documents at this stage—just the reg.

Step 2: Receive Your Instant Report

Step 3: Review the Results

Your report is presented in a clear, easy-to-read format with green ticks for clear checks and red flags for any issues found. Each flagged item includes an explanation of what it means and what action to take.

Step 4: Buy with Confidence (or Walk Away)

If the report comes back clean, you can proceed with confidence. If issues are flagged, you have the information you need to renegotiate the price, request the seller resolves the issue, or simply walk away and find a better van.

MotorCheck reports are backed by our data accuracy guarantee. Our AI-powered system is continuously updated to ensure you're always working with the most current information available.

Real Savings Stories: What UK Buyers Avoided

These anonymised cases are based on real scenarios that MotorCheck checks have helped UK buyers avoid:

Case 1: The £10,000 Finance Trap

A builder in Yorkshire was about to purchase a Mercedes Sprinter for £14,500. Before paying, he ran a MotorCheck report. The result: £10,200 in outstanding HP finance. The seller claimed he'd 'forgotten' about it. The buyer walked away and found a clean van the following week. Saving: £10,200.

Case 2: The Clocked Transit

A delivery company in the South East was expanding their fleet and found a Ford Transit advertised at 62,000 miles for £11,000. The MotorCheck mileage report showed MOT records indicating the van had recorded 143,000 miles just 18 months earlier. The odometer had been wound back by over 80,000 miles. Saving: Avoided a dangerous, overpriced vehicle.

Case 3: The Category S Write-Off

A sole trader in Manchester was purchasing a Vauxhall Vivaro for £8,500—a seemingly good deal. The MotorCheck report flagged it as a Category S insurance write-off that had been repaired and returned to the road. The structural damage history meant it was uninsurable at standard rates and worth significantly less than the asking price. Saving: Avoided a vehicle worth less than half the asking price.

UK Legal Must-Knows Before Buying a Used Van

• V5C Logbook — Always check the V5C matches the van's VIN, registration, and the seller's details. A missing or mismatched V5C is a major red flag. MotorCheck cross-references DVLA records automatically.
• MOT Status — Vans over 3 years old require a valid MOT. Check the current MOT status and expiry date via GOV.UK or your MotorCheck report.
• Vehicle Tax — Confirm the van is taxed before driving it away. Untaxed vehicles can be seized immediately.
• Consumer Rights Act 2015 — When buying from a dealer, the van must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. Private sales offer fewer protections—making a history check even more critical.
• Finance Settlement — If a van has outstanding finance, the seller must settle it before the sale can legally transfer ownership to you.

MotorCheck integrates DVLA data directly into every report, so MOT history, tax status, and registration details are all verified in a single check—saving you the time of cross-referencing multiple GOV.UK services manually.

The Numbers That Make the Case

Still on the fence about whether a van check is worth it? Consider these UK-specific figures:

• 98,625 vehicles stolen in the UK in 2025 — many never recovered
• 10–15% of used vans have outstanding finance flags
• 27,000+ van checks performed monthly on platforms like MotorCheck
• Millions of used vans change hands in the UK every year
• Average loss from buying a financed van without checking: £8,000–£15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a van check cost?

Can I check a van before I've agreed to buy it?

Absolutely—and you should. All you need is the van's registration number, which is visible on the vehicle itself. You don't need the seller's permission or the V5C to run a check.

What if the van check reveals a problem?

If your report flags outstanding finance, you can ask the seller to provide proof of settlement before completing the purchase. For write-offs or stolen status, we recommend walking away entirely. For mileage discrepancies, use the information to renegotiate the price significantly downward or find a cleaner alternative.

Is a van check the same as an HPI check?

MotorCheck provides comprehensive van history data covering the same core areas—finance, stolen, write-off, mileage—with the added benefit of AI-powered accuracy and real-time data updates. Our reports are specifically optimised for commercial vehicles, giving van buyers more relevant insights than generic car-focused checks.

Don't Buy Blind: Run Your Check Today

The used van market offers genuine value—but only if you know what you're buying. With stolen vehicles, hidden finance, clocked mileage, and undisclosed write-offs all present in the UK market, a pre-purchase van check isn't a luxury. It's the single most important step between you and a costly mistake.