Vehicle provenance
Also known as: provenance check, car provenance
Vehicle provenance is the verified history of a UK vehicle's ownership, status and incidents — covering stolen markers, finance, write-offs, mileage, plate changes, and keeper history.
Provenance is the broader concept that an HPI check is the most common way to verify. A car with clean provenance has no stolen marker, no outstanding finance, no insurance write-off recorded, mileage that is consistent across MOT tests, and a documented keeper history that matches the V5C logbook.
Provenance issues are the leading cause of disputes in UK used car sales. A vehicle bought without a provenance check can be reclaimed by a finance company if a previous owner failed to settle their agreement — even if the new buyer paid in full and was unaware.
A comprehensive provenance check on DealerPricing covers the same databases as a traditional HPI check (PNC, MIAFTR, finance houses, DVLA) and is delivered as a downloadable PDF report stored in your account for 6 months.
How-to guides
- Looking for an HPI check? How to check a car’s history for £3.99Searching for an HPI check? DealerPricing’s vehicle history check searches the same databases (PNC, MIAFTR, finance, DVLA) for £3.99, or £2.50 as a subscriber.
- How to check if a car is stolenCheck whether a car is recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer and the insurers’ MIAFTR register using only the registration number. Seconds.
- How to check if a car has been imported or exportedFind out if a car was imported into the UK or recorded as exported. An exported car cannot be taxed or insured here. Check both markers by registration.
- How to check how many previous owners a car has hadSee how many registered keepers a car has had and the date of each change, plus plate and colour changes, from a vehicle history check by registration number.
Related terms
- HPI checkAn HPI check is a UK vehicle history report that confirms whether a car is stolen, has outstanding finance, has been written off, has mileage discrepancy, or has had its plate, colour or keeper details changed.
- Outstanding financeOutstanding finance means a UK vehicle has an active hire purchase, PCP or other finance agreement registered against it — and the finance company has the legal right to repossess the vehicle even after sale.
- Category S write-offCategory S means a UK vehicle has been written off due to structural damage but has been (or can be) repaired and legally returned to the road.
- V5C logbookThe V5C is the official UK vehicle registration document issued by DVLA, showing the registered keeper, vehicle technical details and ownership history.