Free Plate Check
Pre-purchase inspection · by ClickMechanic

Don't buy a used car blind.

A qualified mechanic travels to the car and checks it over before you hand any money across — then sends you a full written report.

From £79· a mechanic comes to the car
Book an inspection
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A mechanic inspecting a used car on a home driveway
Carried out by ClickMechanic

The complete buyer's check

Paper history tells half the story. This is the other half.

History check

Finance, write-offs, mileage and theft markers — the paper trail. Start with our free car check.

Physical inspection

What the paperwork can't show — the actual mechanical condition, checked in person by a mechanic.

The inspection

What the mechanic checks

Under the bonnet

Engine, fluids, belts, leaks and signs of past trouble.

Road test

A qualified mechanic drives it — gearbox, brakes, steering, noises.

Bodywork & structure

Panel gaps, paint, corrosion and crash-repair tell-tales.

Electrics & safety

Warning lights, electronics, tyres and safety items.

Start to finish

How it works

1

Book online

Enter the car's details and your location — fixed price from £79.

2

Mechanic travels to the car

A vetted local mechanic visits the seller's address — you don't have to be there.

3

You get a full report

A written inspection report so you can buy, negotiate, or walk away with confidence.

Good to know

Common questions

How much does a pre-purchase car inspection cost?
From £79 with ClickMechanic. The exact price depends on the inspection level and the car — you'll see it when you book. A vetted mechanic travels to wherever the car is.
Do I need to be there for the inspection?
No. The mechanic visits the seller's address and carries out the inspection, then sends you a written report — so you can arrange it even if the car is the other end of the country.
Is an inspection worth it on top of a history check?
They cover different things. A free vehicle check and a history report show the paperwork — MOT, mileage, finance, write-offs. An inspection shows the physical, mechanical condition a paper trail can't. Together they give you the full picture.
What does the mechanic check?
Engine and under-bonnet condition, a road test, bodywork and crash-repair signs, plus brakes, tyres, electrics and safety items — summarised in a written report.

A £79 check can save you thousands

Before you buy your next used car, let a mechanic look it over first.

Book an inspection

Inspections are carried out by ClickMechanic. Free Plate Check may earn a commission — it never costs you more.