FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about how Should I Buy This Car? works, what is included, and how the report differs from a standard history check.
Our analysis is grounded in billions of UK vehicle data points, including MOT records, service history signals, and real repair outcomes. The report highlights the issues that commonly appear for cars like this and when they typically occur, giving a realistic picture of ownership risk before you buy.
No. MOT records only show part of the picture. Many "common problems" lists online are largely based on inspection data alone. Should I Buy This Car also analyses wider reliability and ownership patterns to identify the issues most likely to affect ownership risk and repair costs as vehicles age.
History checks tell you what has already happened to a car. Our report looks forward, showing how comparable cars behave as they age, what issues commonly appear, when they tend to arrive, and what they usually cost to repair.
The Basic Report gives you ownership risk insights based on the make, model, engine, and transmission. The Full Report adds the exact vehicle details from the registration number and includes the Experian-backed vehicle history check alongside the ownership analysis.
The report is generated after you identify the car, personalise its ownership profile, review the sample, and complete checkout. Timing can vary depending on processing load, but the goal is a fast, self-service result.
The system is designed for UK-registered vehicles with a valid number plate. It works best for used cars with meaningful mileage and ownership history.
The personalised vehicle report works best when the car already has real mileage and ownership history. For nearly new vehicles, a model-level view can still be useful for understanding how similar cars typically behave as they age.
The report shows what might fail and when. You can use that information to ask for warranty cover, negotiate on price, or decide whether the risk profile suits you.
No. Your report is private. Dealers and sellers are never notified, and we do not share the output with them.
Yes. Your number plate and the mileage you add during the guided journey are used to generate the report. We do not share your report with dealers, sellers, insurers, or unrelated third parties.