Enter the registration
Enter a UK registration to check for outstanding finance before you buy.
Finance Check
Enter the number plate to continue.
From £3.99
Car finance check
Start with a free vehicle check and unlock outstanding finance checks when needed.
Finance statusREGUP check flow
Risk focusunpaid finance attached to the car
Fast checkoutSelected item ready
Check Outstanding Finance
Search HP, PCP and lease records before you buy, the finance company can repossess if the debt isn't settled.
We search finance records
The check searches HP, PCP and lease agreements from UK finance data providers.
Get your result and next steps
A clear result with guidance on what to do if finance is found.
Why Run an Outstanding Finance Check?
You lose the car and the money. Your insurance will not cover it. Recovery from the seller is difficult and often impossible in a private sale.
- Search HP, PCP and lease agreements against the registration
- See the finance provider name and agreement status
- Check whether the debt is active or settled
- Use the result before you pay the seller
1
Enter the Registration
The customer starts with a simple UK number plate input.
2
REGUP pulls basic vehicle details from the registration so you can confirm it's the right car before you continue.
3
Checkout Securely
The customer continues without needing to manually choose the same product again.
4
REGUP Checks Live Finance Databases
REGUP checks HP, PCP and lease agreements registered against the vehicle with UK finance data providers.
5
Your Finance Report Is Generated
After checkout, your finance check result is unlocked; showing agreement status and provider details for the registration.
What This Checks Helps You
Finance marker · Agreement risk · Buyer protection
What this check helps you review
See whether a registration has finance markers recorded — agreement type, provider name, and whether the debt is active or settled.
Before you pay for a vehicle
Run the check before you view, negotiate or send a deposit. Compare the result against the seller's paperwork and what they've told you.
Fast registration lookup
Enter the UK number plate and get your finance result without extra steps in the checkout.
Buyer-focused result
Written in plain English and focused on what the finance status means for you; not raw data you have to interpret yourself.
Use with a full history check
For fuller protection, pair this with a stolen check, write-off check and mileage check -see "Combine with other checks" below.
Click to view buyer warning points
Always compare the report with the V5C, VIN, MOT records, service history, seller ID and payment method. Walk away from pressure selling, mismatched paperwork or unclear explanations.
Click to view what to ask the seller
Ask direct questions about the vehicle history, documents, repairs, finance status, mileage evidence and why the vehicle is being sold.
Buyer tip:A clean-looking advert does not prove a clean history. Run the check before sending a deposit or travelling a long distance.
What the Finance Check Searches
The check draws on records from UK finance data providers to show what's registered against a vehicle: HP, PCP and lease agreements, the finance provider's name, whether the agreement is active or settled, and an outstanding amount indicator where available.
It won't pick up unregistered private loans, informal lending between individuals, or anything related to credit scores or payment history — this is a vehicle check, not a person check.
The risk in one sentence
You lose the car and the money. Your insurance will not cover it. Recovery from the seller is difficult and often impossible in a private sale. The RAC rates outstanding finance as one of the most expensive mistakes a used car buyer can make.
How to use the result
If the check comes back clear, proceed with confidence. If finance is found, do not pay the seller until the debt is settled. Ask for written confirmation directly from the lender. If the seller offers to settle using your payment, pay the finance company yourself, not the seller. If the seller cannot settle, walk away. The Citizens Advice car buying guide explains your rights in detail depending on whether you bought from a trader or privately.
Combine for Full Protection
Finance is one risk. A clean finance result does not mean the car is free of other problems. Add a stolen check to catch police markers, a write-off check to see insurance total loss history, and a mileage check to verify the odometer. Start with a free vehicle check for the basics, then upgrade to the report level you need.
Not a credit check
This check looks at the vehicle, not the person. It searches for finance agreements recorded against the registration and VIN. It does not affect your credit score, does not need the seller consent, and does not require your personal financial details. The MoneyHelper guide to car finance covers the difference between vehicle finance and personal credit.
HP, PCP and Lease: The Differences that Matter
All three are secured against the vehicle, but they work differently. Under hire purchase (HP), you pay a deposit and fixed monthly instalments until you own the car outright. Under personal contract purchase (PCP), monthly payments are lower but a large balloon payment is due at the end if you want to keep the car. Under a lease, you never own the vehicle and must return it when the term ends. In all three cases, the finance company owns the car until the agreement concludes. If the seller has not completed any of these, the agreement is still active and the lender can repossess.
The Settlement Process
Settling finance means paying off the remaining balance so the lender releases their claim on the vehicle. The seller should request a settlement figure from the lender, which is valid for a limited number of days. Once paid, the lender issues a settlement letter confirming the debt is cleared. You should see this letter before you pay the seller. If the seller says the finance will be settled from the proceeds of the sale, pay the finance company directly rather than trusting the seller to do it. A settlement typically takes a few working days to process and clear from the vehicle record.
Your Legal Protection
The Hire Purchase Act 1964 can protect a private buyer who purchases a car with outstanding HP or PCP in good faith, without knowing about the finance. If you are a private individual and genuinely believed the car was free of finance, you may acquire good title, meaning the lender cannot repossess. However, this protection is not automatic. Running a finance check before purchase strengthens your position because it proves you did your due diligence. Not checking can weaken a good-faith claim. If you bought from a trader, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 also applies: the car was not as described, so you can seek a refund or compensation from the dealer.
What to do if finance is found
A clear result means you can proceed with confidence. If finance shows up, hold off on paying the seller until the debt is settled. Ask the lender directly for written confirmation. If the seller says they'll clear it with your payment, send that money to the finance company yourself not the seller. If they can't settle it, that's a walk-away situation.
Sample / Example data
See how finance markers are presented
Preview the report-style finance section before checking your own vehicle.
This is sample/example data only, not a live lookup. A purchased report is generated for the registration you enter.
Sample report preview Finance Check
AB12 CDE
Finance summary Outstanding finance marker shown Example data
Outstanding finance Example marker present Sample
Agreement detail Agreement type and provider fields when supplied Example
Buyer action Ask the seller for written settlement evidence Sample
- Finance data can affect whether a buyer should proceed.
- The sample uses demo values and is not connected to a live vehicle.
- The full report combines finance with other buyer-risk sections.
Finance Check FAQs
What is an outstanding finance check?
It checks whether a vehicle may have finance agreement risk markers recorded against it where data is available.
Why is outstanding finance risky?
If finance is still owed, the lender may have a legal interest in the vehicle. That can create problems for a buyer.
Can a private seller still owe finance?
Yes. A vehicle can be advertised privately while finance remains outstanding, so checking before payment is important.
What should I do if finance appears?
Ask the seller for written settlement evidence and do not hand over money until you are satisfied the finance is cleared.
Can I check finance by registration number?
Yes. Enter the UK registration number and REGUP will prepare the finance check checkout flow.
Ready to run outstanding finance check?
Enter the registration above and continue with the existing REGUP report flow.