Carlidate

Buying a used car? Know what you're looking at.

Enter the registration, see its official MOT history, and get a plain-English risk read, like bringing a mechanic to the advert.

UK

Covers every MOT-tested car in Great Britain · Free · ~30 seconds · No sign-up

Or try a demo vehicle

How it works

  1. 1

    Enter the reg

    Type the registration from the advert or the number plate in front of you.

  2. 2

    We pull the official record

    Every MOT test, defect, advisory and mileage reading, straight from DVSA.

  3. 3

    AI explains what it means

    Patterns a mechanic would spot, like recurring faults, mileage oddities and escalating wear, in plain English.

  4. 4

    Know what to check in person

    Specific things to look at and questions to ask before you hand over any money.

Raw records in. Straight answers out.

Here's a real excerpt from a Carlidate check on one of our demo vehicles.

UKBF59 URT

2009 Ford Fiesta 1.2 · 104,220 miles

Moderate risk

Structural corrosion worsened over years and caused a 2024 failure

Recorded in MOT history

Recorded in MOT history: underbody corrosion advisories appear from 2018 onwards and escalate. 2023 noted the nearside sill 'corroded but not excessively', and in November 2024 the car FAILED because the sill was 'excessively corroded within 30cm of a body mounting' (a MAJOR defect).

When you view it: Ask to see the sills (the lower body panels beneath the doors) and underside; look for bubbling paint, flaking rust, or filler. Rust near body mountings can affect the car's strength.

Simple pricing

The history check and risk read are free. Pay only when you go to see a car and want the full guided inspection.

Free check

£0

  • Full MOT and mileage history
  • Plain-English AI risk read
  • Bottom-line verdict and priority checks
  • Questions to ask the seller
Check a car free

Full Inspection

£4.99 per vehicle

  • Guided inspection built for that exact car
  • History flags placed where you'll physically see them
  • Record findings as you go, on your phone at the car
  • Final purchase assessment with a clear next step
Start with a free check

You'll see the inspection offer on the car's report

Buyer Pass

£12.99 for 30 days

  • Up to 5 full inspections
  • Any cars: decide at each viewing
  • All your inspections and assessments in one place
  • Ideal when you're comparing several cars

Secure payment by Stripe. Not what you expected? Full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.

Built on official data

Every test result, defect and mileage reading comes from the DVSA's MOT history record, the same data the government holds on every MOT-tested vehicle in Great Britain.

Honest about the limits

We help you inspect smarter. We don't claim an app can find every hidden fault. The MOT record can't show accident damage, outstanding finance or service history, and we'll always say so.