Question 1

What is AutoFinder?

Accepted Answer

AutoFinder helps you buy a used car the way a dealer would. Check any UK car for free before you travel, then use your phone to inspect it properly at the viewing. You get a grade, a cost for every fault and what to offer.

Question 2

Do I need an account?

Accepted Answer

Not for your first two free screenings. After that a free account gives you 10 free screenings a month and keeps your screenings, inspections and reports in one place. You need an account to buy an inspection.

Question 3

Is there an app to download?

Accepted Answer

No download needed. AutoFinder runs in your phone's browser, and you can add it to your home screen if you like. It works in recent versions of Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Edge.

Question 4

Do I need to know about cars?

Accepted Answer

No. The inspection guides you step by step: where to stand, what to photograph and what to listen for. It's built for normal buyers, not mechanics.

Question 5

What does the free screening tell me?

Accepted Answer

The car's MOT history with the mileage at every test, tax and MOT status, open recalls, MOT advisories, known faults for that engine and a verdict before you travel: worth viewing, view with caution or skip this one.

Question 6

Does the free screening value the car?

Accepted Answer

No. Online records can't see the car's condition, so we don't guess. What the car is really worth, with every fault priced, comes with the £5.99 inspection.

Question 7

Where does the free screening's data come from?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle details come from the DVLA and the MOT history from the DVSA, both official UK government sources, looked up when you run the screening.

Question 8

What happens in an inspection?

Accepted Answer

Your phone walks you round the car in the order a dealer would: outside, inside, under the bonnet, then the drive. You photograph anything you spot, snap the dashboard, record the engine at idle and follow spoken steps for the steering, brakes and suspension.

Question 9

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Usually 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the car and how much you photograph.

Question 10

Do I need to be with the car?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The inspection is done at the car, with your own photos and recordings. That's what makes the result about this car, not cars like it.

Question 11

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Your phone with some charge and a signal, and a torch helps under the bonnet. Ask the seller for the keys so you can check inside and start the engine.

Question 12

Can I stop and carry on later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your inspection saves as you go, so you can pick it up later from your dashboard.

Question 13

What if the car won't start?

Accepted Answer

You can still inspect it. The engine and drive checks are skipped, and your report says what couldn't be checked.

Question 14

Does it work for electric and hybrid cars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The inspection adapts to petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars.

Question 15

What's in my report?

Accepted Answer

A score out of 100 and a grade from A to E, every fault with its photo and a repair cost priced for your area, what the car is worth as it stands, a fair offer and what to say to the seller.

Question 16

How are cars graded?

Accepted Answer

Six areas are scored and weighted: mechanical 30%, safety 25%, bodywork 20%, interior 10%, electrical 10% and documents 5%. 85 or more is an A, 70 a B, 55 a C, 40 a D, and below 40 an E. A confirmed safety fault caps the grade at D.

Question 17

How accurate are the repair costs?

Accepted Answer

They're estimates from our UK price list for each type of repair, adjusted for garage labour rates where you live, so you have a realistic figure to put to the seller. The AI describes what it finds but never sets the price. A garage quote for the exact job may differ.

Question 18

Why do you ask for my postcode?

Accepted Answer

Garage labour costs nearly twice as much in London as in Newcastle, so the same repair can cost very different amounts. Your postcode lets us price every repair at rates near you. Your report only records the first half, such as SW11, and you can skip it to use UK average prices.

Question 19

Can I download or share my report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every report is saved to your account and can be downloaded as a PDF to send to anyone, such as a mechanic or a family member.

Question 20

Is a report a formal valuation?

Accepted Answer

No. It's a buying aid, not a legal or insurance valuation. Check with your insurer if they need something specific.

Question 21

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Screening is free. An inspection is £5.99, or £24.99 for five. A Full Check, which is an inspection plus an Experian history check, is £14.99, or £59.99 for five. On its own a history check is £9.99.

Question 22

What's in a Full Check?

Accepted Answer

Everything in the inspection, plus an Experian check for outstanding finance, theft, write-off, and keeper and plate changes. It comes with Experian's £10,000 Data Guarantee, subject to Experian's guarantee terms.

Question 23

Are there any hidden fees or subscriptions?

Accepted Answer

No. You pay per car, and the price is shown before you pay. Pro, for traders, is the only subscription.

Question 24

Is my payment secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Payments are handled by Stripe. We never see or store your card details.

Question 25

What if something goes wrong with my inspection?

Accepted Answer

Email mt@autofinderuk.com and tell us what happened. We'll help you finish it or put it right.

Question 26

Where does the data come from?

Accepted Answer

The DVLA for vehicle details, the DVSA for MOT history and, with a Full Check, Experian for finance, theft and write-off records. Damage and warning lights are read from your own photos.

Question 27

What if the DVLA details look wrong?

Accepted Answer

DVLA records can only be corrected by the DVLA. If you think we're showing them wrongly, email mt@autofinderuk.com.

Question 28

Who can see my checks and photos?

Accepted Answer

Only you, unless you share a report. We don't sell your data. Our privacy policy has the full details.

Question 29

Can I delete my data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Email mt@autofinderuk.com from the address on your account and we'll delete it.

Question 30

Do you have something for traders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AutoFinder Pro is £149 a month for people who buy cars regularly. Each month includes 30 AI inspections, 25 history checks and 100 screenings, plus a dashboard for your buying pipeline.

Question 31

Why do I have to apply for Pro?

Accepted Answer

Pro is for traders, so we approve every account ourselves. Applying takes a minute and we'll email you when you're approved.

Question 32

How do I cancel Pro?

Accepted Answer

Use Manage billing in your Pro dashboard. You keep Pro until the end of the month you've paid for.

Questions, answered.

Getting started

Free screening

Inspection

Reports

Pricing and billing

Data and privacy

Pro for traders

Still stuck?

Questions, answered.Questions, answered.