RAC Vehicle Check Products

RAC Car Data Check

RAC Car Data Checks reveal if a car:

• Is stolen
• Is an insurance write-off
• Has outstanding finance on it
• Has had previous plates
• Has a mileage discrepancy
• That the V5 is a genuine document (A V5 is a vehicle registration document, also known as a LOG BOOK)

RAC Car Data Checks confirm:

1. The vehicle description using the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM). This includes:

• The year of manufacture
• Date of first registration with the DVLA
• The number of previous keepers registered
• The date of last keeper change

2. The vehicle title using the VRM, VIN and V5 document serial number. This identifies whether the vehicle has:

• Outstanding finance
• Current police interest i.e. stolen or insurance theft
• Been registered as an insurance write-off
• The VIN matches the vehicle description
• The V5 is a genuine document

Where the vehicle has undergone one or more registration plate changes, each previous plate will be checked for any title issues.

Cost:

An RAC Data Check costs £9.99 and is available over the phone or online.

RAC Vehicle Inspection

An RAC Vehicle Inspection is completed by an experienced and qualified RAC engineer and determines if a car is roadworthy and safe to drive.

There are three types of inspection available:

• Essentials - consisting of the most crucial checks to make before purchasing a car
• Essentials Plus - a fully comprehensive inspection which features up to 166 checks
• Prestige Inspection - for vehicles that require additional time, due to higher specifications, such as high performance, over 20 years old, a 4x4, or has an engine size exceeding 2999cc

Cost:

An Essentials inspection starts from £125, Essentials plus from £189, Prestige from £349. All include a data check in the price.

RAC Advice

When buying a second-hand car buyers should:

1. View the car in daylight, at the seller's address checking the address is the same as the V5 vehicle registration document.
2. Look for signs of clocking - does the condition of the car match the mileage?
3. Is there wear on the seats, pedals or steering wheel. Check for rust and general corrosion on the bodywork. How worn are the tyres?
4. Take the car for a test drive on a variety of road types, but make sure you're properly insured. Look out for smoke when starting the engine and listen for any odd noises from the engine and suspension.
5. Get an RAC Vehicle Inspection, which can help to identify potentially expensive problems and signs of major accident repair.
6. Check out the history and status of the car with an RAC Car Data Check - the check will reveal whether the car has any outstanding finance against it, has been written off or reported stolen to the Police.
7. Check the engine number/chassis number match the V5 documentation provided with the vehicle as well as those on any MOT certificates.
8. Beware of false keys - separate keys for the driver's door and boot may indicate previous damage.
9. Check under the bonnet for signs of undue wear and tear - is anything leaking, are all the fluid levels correct?
10. If you feel something's not right - walk away. Don't get too attached to a car - if something's too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information about RAC Car Data Checks and Inspections, visit www.rac.co.uk/products-services/car-data-checks/ or call 0800 975 5867 or 0800 0852529 for RAC Vehicle Inspections.

For further information contact:

RAC Press Office
Vicki Burn/Lucy Haughey

Telephone: 01603 684224/688891
vicki.burn@aviva.co.uk / lucy.haughey@aviva.co.uk

Updated October 2008

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