How many previous owners has a car had?
A car's keeper history shows how many times it has changed hands. It won't tell you everything, but a lot of owners in a short time, or a seller who has only just bought it, are worth asking about.
In short
- The DVLA records each registered keeper: the person responsible for the car, who isn't always its legal owner.
- Several owners isn't a problem on its own. Lots of changes in a short time is the warning sign.
- Be wary if the seller has only just bought the car, or if the name on the logbook isn't theirs.
- A full history check shows the number of previous keepers and when each change happened.
Keepers and owners aren't the same thing
The DVLA records the registered keeper: the person or company responsible for taxing and insuring the car. That's usually the owner, but not always. A company car, a lease car or a car on some finance agreements may have one keeper while a finance company owns it. That's one reason a finance check matters as much as the keeper count.
When the number of owners matters
- Many keepers in a short time. A car passed on every few months may have a fault that each owner discovered and then sold on. Ask why.
- The seller only just bought it. Someone selling a car they've owned for weeks may be a trader posing as a private seller, which affects your legal rights, or may know about a problem.
- A keeper change just before a plate change. Ownership and registration changes close together can be innocent, but they're also a pattern seen with cloned cars. See our guide to plate changes.
- One keeper for many years is often a good sign: someone who kept the car usually looked after it, and can tell you its history.
Older cars naturally collect more owners, so judge the number against the car's age. Five keepers on a 15-year-old car is ordinary. Five on a three-year-old car is worth questions.
How to check keeper history
The Your Car Data full history check shows how many previous keepers a car has had and the date of each change, alongside stolen, write-off and finance records. Compare it with what the seller tells you: "I've had it five years" should match a keeper change about five years ago.
Questions to ask the seller
- How long have you owned it, and why are you selling?
- Do you have the service history, and receipts for recent work?
- Do you know anything about the previous owners?
- Is the car in your name, and is there any finance on it?
Straightforward answers that match the records are reassuring. Vague ones, or answers that don't match the dates, are a reason to walk away.
Check a vehicle now
Free MOT, mileage and tax check for any UK car, van or motorbike. The full history check (stolen, write-off, outstanding finance, a valuation and more) is £7.49.
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