UK car guides, written to be useful
Practical guides on vehicle documents, road tax, history checks and buying a used car — based on official DVLA & DVSA guidance, and linked to the checks that verify each answer against real records.
V5C Log Book: What It Is, How to Check It and How to Replace It
What a V5C log book is and what it looks like, where the 11-digit reference number is, how to check a V5C is genuine and how to replace or change one.
Buying a carUsed Car Buying Checklist: Documents & Checks Before You Pay
What documents and paperwork you should get when buying a used car in the UK — V5C, MOT, receipt, proof of ownership — plus the checks to run first.
MOTMOT History: How to Check It and Read It Like an Inspector
How to check a car’s MOT history, what pass, fail, advisory and dangerous defects really mean, the documents you need for an MOT, and how to spot trouble before buying.
Vehicle historyHow to Check if a Car Is Stolen in the UK
Check if a car is stolen before you buy: run a stolen car check by number plate, match the VIN to the V5C, spot clones and know what the DVLA can’t tell you.
Vehicle historyOutstanding Finance on a Car: What It Means and How to Buy Safely
What outstanding finance on a car means, who owns the car under HP and PCP, your rights if you buy one by mistake, and how to buy or sell a financed car safely.
Tax & legalRoad Tax: How to Check It, Pay It and When to SORN Instead
How to check if a car is taxed, what road tax costs, how to tax a car you have just bought or one with no log book, and when to SORN it instead.
Tax & legalSORN: How to Declare Your Car Off the Road
How to declare your car or motorbike SORN with the DVLA: the free online, phone and V890 routes, the tax refund, how long a SORN lasts and how to end it.
Electric vehiclesEV Battery Health Check: The UK Buyer’s Guide
How to check EV battery health before buying: state of health, degradation, warranties, DIY and professional battery tests, plus hybrid battery checks.