Check its history before you commit.
When buying or selling a vehicle, it is not at all easy to gather information about the past of your own vehicle or the one you wish to buy. The more information you manage to obtain, the more reassured and secure you will feel, since unfortunately used vehicles can sometimes hide a few surprises. How can you detect these problems or hidden defects? Here are some useful tips to help you feel as confident as possible when buying or selling a used vehicle.
The importance of having access to the history of a used vehicle
In 2015, the DGCCRF highlighted a study it carried out, indicating that half of used vehicle sales would not meet safety standards and would involve minor, serious or even very dangerous fraud.
This is one of the reasons why it is important nowadays to know as much as possible about the history of the used vehicle you are about to buy from a private individual or a motor trade professional. It is a necessary, even essential, step to be sure you are not being scammed during a sale and in case a seller, whoever they may be, is hiding information from you. But fortunately, there are solutions to find out more about a vehicle's traceability.
What are the ways to find out the history of a used vehicle?
When buying or selling a used vehicle, it is never really easy to prove its past with certainty. Yet this should be the case as it is a very important element, especially when the car is old. The purpose of a vehicle's history is simply to check its proper functioning by ensuring that all checks, maintenance, repairs, servicing, and recalls have been carried out and that nothing suspicious is likely. It is therefore essential to keep all records of what has been done to the vehicle over time…
To obtain the history and traceability of a car, motorbike, scooter, etc., different means and documents can be used.
1. The service book
In short, the vehicle's service book is simply its health record. Inside you will find the vehicle's own complete information, as well as a detailed record of the recommended servicing and the schedule to be followed. It must indicate the frequency of servicing and repairs for each part, which means it is necessary to fill it in as and when modifications are made to the vehicle. By carefully completing the service book, you can keep precise track of what has or has not been done to the vehicle: at what time, how often, and after how many kilometres?
2. Maintenance invoices
Other documents not to be overlooked and to be kept carefully: the maintenance invoices, which complement the vehicle's service book. Each invoice lists everything that has been changed on a car, unlike the service book which only covers the main points. You should therefore keep them all, as they provide a record of the vehicle's life and show which parts have been repaired or replaced. If you do not have all the invoices and wish to sell, do not hesitate to contact the companies you used for servicing and repairs, and try to obtain copies of the original invoices.
3. Technical inspection: the reports
The reports are given by the inspector after each technical inspection of the vehicle, certifying that it is fit to drive on French roads. These technical inspections must be carried out from the 4th year for a vehicle, then every two years. They are compulsory to prove that your vehicle has been checked at each interval and that it is still in perfect condition to be driven. This also shows that you carry out the inspections on time and make changes when necessary, which means you are a serious and trustworthy person.
4. The certificat d'immatriculation
The certificat d'immatriculation, more commonly known as the “carte grise”, helps you check if:
- The vehicle's documents are up to date,
- The owner's name is correct,
- The vehicle's registration number matches the one on the carte grise, as well as the VIN code, also known as the “vehicle serial number”, “vehicle identification number” or in English “Vehicle Identification Number”.
By checking all these elements, you can see for yourself whether the vehicle in front of you matches the carte grise and that the person selling it to you is the owner.
Do not hesitate to check the other information shown on the certificat d'immatriculation, such as the date of first registration, the make of the vehicle, its version, etc.
The 5th useful document: the vehicle history report
To complete the list above, you can always use the online service Autorigin, which allows you to find out and also provide histories of used vehicles, simply by entering the registration number. It is a complementary solution that adds value to a vehicle for sale, but also helps when buying to determine whether the car is not a write-off or an ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) put back on the road without verification by a motor expert.
The Autorigin history report is a supplementary document that informs you about certain elements such as the number of owners, their use, whether the vehicle has been imported, unusual ownerships, etc. It allows you to improve your file when selling or to reassure yourself about the history of the vehicle you wish to buy.
Prove as much as possible that the vehicle is safe and has been properly maintained. Aim for transparency and make sure you provide the clearest and most precise answers possible. You can also consult the history report.
Also read: scam involving vehicle history reports.
With Autorigin, access the essential information to better understand a car's past.
Get a history report