Finding the number of car owners is vital for both buyers and sellers. A car changing multiple hands in a short span is a risky proposition. It could be due to the possible defects in the vehicle. For sellers, the fewer car owners, the higher the price they can demand from the buyer. However, with the help of the vehicle registration number plate, it is possible to find the owner of a car.
What does our vehicle history check show about the vehicle owner?
To know the number of previous keepers of any car, van or motorbike, you can either check the vehicle’s logbook or run our car owner check, which costs £1.99.
The details from the car reg check only provide basic information about a vehicle, such as date of registration, vehicle engine size, or tax details, and nothing regarding the car’s previous owner’s details.
Therefore, it is wise to get a premium vehicle check report from a reliable service like Car Analytics because they directly get vehicle information from DVLA. However, the premium report includes information about the,
- History of number plate change
- Numbers of keepers’ history
- Colour change history
- Is a car scrapped?
- Check if the vehicle is imported.
- How much is my car worth?
- outstanding finance status
- Insurance write-off check
It’s natural to wonder why a paid service is necessary if you can simply rely on the V5C logbook for previous owner information. The reality is the seller’s V5C logbook could be old or non-genuine. Always verify the number of previous owners through the previous keeper check. If the numbers don’t match with the V5C, walk away from the deal.
This check is intended to reassure you that the V5 logbook details are accurate; it may reveal another issue if they aren’t. For instance, this might indicate that the car was stolen.
Does V5C show previous owners?
Yes, it does. The V5C or logbook mentions the current owner’s details and the previous owner’s info, and that’s it. If you are also interested in knowing other owners, contact the DVLA. They may entertain your request if you have a reasonable cause. However, finding out about earlier car keepers through DVLA can be challenging.
They do not consider whether you tell them you want to buy the car or whether the vehicle was registered with a taxi company.
Our car owner checks and fetches data directly from the DVLA, so you can be sure the information is 100% accurate. The report will tell you the total number of keepers the car has had. However, you must learn about the current owner registered with the DVLA.
Does a VIN tell you the owner?
The straightforward answer to this question is “No”. However, you can indirectly find the car’s owner if you know the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). How? You can request the vehicle registration number using VIN. Once you find a car’s registration number, you can know how many previous owners it had by performing a comprehensive car check.
Please note that to find the number of car owners, you must know the registration number. No UK service can tell a car’s owner history by giving its VIN.
How many number of car owners from the past are too many?
The age of the car is a crucial factor here. For instance, a “classic ” vehicle that is 25 years old is likely to have a higher number of keepers than one that is only 3 years old. Typically, a car owner in the UK keeps their vehicle for 6 years, on average. But this is only a hint.
Reasons to check how many owners the car has had:
Just because a car has a long list of previous owners doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not worth buying. The condition of a vehicle relies on many factors, such as its age, mileage, service history, etc.
- The majority of buyers in the UK today feel reluctant about buying a car with four or more previous owners. The recommended parameter for previous owners of the vehicle is two or fewer, so you don’t have much trouble in the future if you decide to sell it and make money on the side.
- In the UK, people will keep their cars for less time than they previously would have. Most of them trade their vehicles after 1-3 years. It makes it difficult for car buyers looking for car finance as the average number of keepers increases. Because purchasing a car with finance is a flexible option now, and the minus for the buyers unwittingly pays for debt cars.
Recommended for you: Know how to avoid paying for a financed car
What constitutes excellent practice about previous owners?
Purchasing an exact vehicle and a good bargain requires more than just that. It’s also a good idea to consider the vehicle’s value when you want to sell it and any challenges you could have if you sell it soon for anything close to genuine market value.
One of the factors that prospective car buyers consider is the number of previous owners. According to our comprehensive vehicle history check, testing, and observations, a vehicle with more than four previous owners will likely be challenging to sell.
We advise using a minimum of two previous owners when performing a vehicle owner check. Of course, there are different variables, including the vehicle’s age, mileage, condition, service history, and whether it has been through ownership changes within the same family. However, a decent general guideline is to be the fourth owner.
Conclusion
How many hands a vehicle has changed is crucial in determining different aspects of its lifecycle. Try our car owner history check to know how many owners your car has had. We guarantee the authenticity of our data, as we get it directly from the DVLA. Once you receive our info, cross-check it with the details in the logbook. Buy your next car, scooter, or van with complete peace of mind!
Answering your questions
Is the information provided in the ownership history report confidential?
Yes, the ownership history report of a car is considered confidential and should be treated as sensitive information. Make sure to use reputable services that have secure data handling practices to ensure your personal and vehicle information remains protected.
Are online vehicle history check services reliable for finding the car’s previous owners?
Many online vehicle history check services are reliable and can provide accurate information about a car’s ownership history. Choosing reputable platforms that source data from official databases and other trusted sources is crucial. Before using any service, it’s a good idea to read reviews and verify their credibility to ensure the information you receive is dependable.
