From 1 April 2026, the UK government will introduce a new set of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) / road tax increases that will affect the vast majority of drivers — including petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicle owners. These changes form part of the government’s ongoing emissions-linked taxation policy, and most motorists will see their … Continue reading VED Increases From April 2026: Full UK Guide to New Road Tax Rates →

A vehicle’s MOT history is one of the most powerful tools available to buyers, dealers, and traders when assessing risk. Beyond simple pass or fail results, MOT records can reveal patterns of neglect, predict future repair costs, and highlight potential safety concerns. In this guide, we answer two key questions — and a few closely … Continue reading MOT History – Advisories, Risk Levels & How Long Records Last →

If you're planning to sell your car online in the UK, you’ve probably come across two of the biggest names in the industry: We Buy Any Car (WBAC) and Carwow. Both services are popular, but they work in very different ways. Many sellers also look for alternatives that may offer a better balance of convenience … Continue reading WBAC vs Carwow and Alternatives: The Best Car Selling Service? →

Many drivers assume that if a car has a valid MOT certificate, it must be safe to drive. However, this is one of the most misunderstood parts of vehicle ownership. So, can a car pass an MOT and still be unsafe? Yes — it absolutely can. In this guide, Total Car Check explains why an … Continue reading Can a Car Pass an MOT and Still Be Unsafe? →

If your MOT is coming up, one of the most common questions drivers ask is: how long does an MOT take? Whether you’re fitting it into a busy workday or waiting at the garage, understanding the typical MOT duration can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises. In this guide, we explain the average MOT … Continue reading How Long Does an MOT Take? A Complete Guide on Timings →

If you’re the registered keeper of a vehicle in the UK, you’ll know that paying car tax (also called Vehicle Excise Duty or road tax) is a legal requirement. But many drivers don’t realise that you may need to cancel car tax when you sell your car, scrap it, or take it off the road. … Continue reading Cancel Car Tax: The Complete Easy How to Guide →

askMID is the public-facing service that lets you check whether a vehicle appears on the UK’s Motor Insurance Database (MID). It’s widely used by drivers after buying insurance, and after accidents, to help confirm insurance status. But askMID also fits into a bigger picture: connected insurance databases, fraud prevention, and the way vehicle history (including … Continue reading askMID: How to Check Insurance Status →

Used car pricing can be confusing: you’ll see two cars that look identical — same make, model, year, engine and mileage — yet the prices can be miles apart. That’s because value isn’t just about specs. It’s shaped by pricing signals: condition, service history, demand, and (crucially) vehicle history. If you want to judge whether … Continue reading Why Are Two Identical Used Cars Priced Differently? →

Cat S vs Cat N summary: Cat S means the car had structural damage, while Cat N means non-structural damage; repaired write-off cars can be safe, but only if the repair quality and inspection history check out. Here we answer, what written-off means? If you need further background. Run a Total Car Check Gold Check … Continue reading Cat S vs Cat N and repaired write-offs: All you need to know →

A car is “written off” when an insurance company decides it is not worth repairing, and whether it can still be driven in the UK depends on the write-off category assigned to it. Understanding what this really means is important for drivers, buyers, and sellers, as some written-off cars can legally return to the road … Continue reading What Does “Written Off” Mean and Can You Still Drive the Car? →