Ready to Buy a Pre-Owned Mx5? How to Check its History

Thinking of purchasing an Mx5? Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be a gamble; you don’t know who drove it in the past, what they did to compromise the integrity and lifespan of its car parts, or even whether or not it is being sold illegally. You don’t have to just spin the wheel though. With a bit of planning, you can check the history of the Mx5 you want to purchase and make sure it’s the right vehicle for you.

Checking Your Car’s History

Check the Car’s Identity

In order to check the car’s identity, you’ll need to visit the online database of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, or DVLA. By doing this, you can obtain information like:

• The car’s colour

• The vehicle’s current expiry date for its tax disc

• The vehicle excise duty rate or tax rate of the car

• The car’s engine capacity

• The date the car was first registered

• The year the car was manufactured.

If you analyse this information and find that it doesn’t match the registration certificate or the car you’re about to purchase, an illegal action known as ringing may be taking place. Ringing occurs when a car’s identity is transferred to another car. If this is the case, don’t make the purchase; instead, walk away and call the police.

Private History Checks

Many companies these days offer private history, or data, checks to help you make a better, more informed decision before purchasing a car. A few companies that offer this are AA and RAC. Private history checks can help protect you from making a bad purchasing decision in several ways.

• They can inform you if the car has been stolen

• They can tell you whether or not the car has finance owing

• They can let you know if the car has been involved in an accident, and may even be able to inform you what car parts were damaged and replaced as a result of that accident

• These history checks can inform you of any discrepancies between the mileage shown on the vehicle and the actual mileage.

While private history checks are not free, they can be a very valuable service.

Check the MOT

If you’re purchasing an Mx5 in Scotland, England, or Wales, the VOSA, or Vehicle and Operator Service Agency can help you check the car’s MOT to ensure its valid and has not been refused. To check this, you’ll need to have the MOT test number and the registration number of the vehicle. Both can be found on the MOT certificate, refusal certificate, or registration certificate. You can also visit www.gov.uk to check the history of the vehicle and receive this information.

Checking the history of the Mx5 you’re thinking of buying can save you in several ways. Doing so can help you prepare for any Mx5 parts you’ll have to replace or repair because of past accidents, help you avoid purchasing an illegal or stolen vehicle, and help ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.