Why did a car lose points for its age?

Older cars are more likely to need work on corrosion, suspension and brakes. Over 10 years old costs 2 points and over 15 years old costs 4. It is a small deduction and does not mean the car is bad.

Is the free score different from the full score?

Yes. The free score uses DVLA and DVSA records. The full score includes the same factors plus finance, write-off, stolen, scrapped, keeper and other checks, so it can be lower if something serious turns up.

Can a car with outstanding finance score well?

Outstanding finance costs 30 points, so a car with no other issues would score 70, the bottom of Good. That is deliberate: the problem can be solved if the seller settles the agreement, but you should not buy until they have. Our finance check explains what to do.

Why is a stolen or scrapped car capped at 10?

A car recorded as stolen or scrapped should not be bought, whatever else is true of it. Capping the score at 10 makes sure it always shows as High risk.

Does a high score mean I can skip the inspection?

No. The score is built from records. It cannot see the condition of the engine, gearbox or bodywork today, so always inspect and test drive the car, or pay a mechanic to.

The Vettly Score Explained, Point by Point

The Vettly Score

Every report gives the car one score out of 100, so you can compare cars at a glance. It starts at 100 and loses a published number of points for each thing a buyer should worry about. Every deduction is listed on the report, so you can see exactly why a car scored what it did.

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How the score works

Every car starts at 100. Each thing a buyer should worry about takes off a published number of points, and every deduction appears on the report with the reason and what to do about it. The result falls into a band: 85 and above is Excellent, 70 to 84 Good, 50 to 69 Fair, 30 to 49 Poor and under 30 High risk.

A score is a summary, not a verdict. Two cars on 80 can have very different reasons, so always read the deductions. The free check scores the car from DVLA and DVSA records, and the full history check rescores it using every check, so the full score is the more complete picture.

What the free score takes off

A mileage reading that went down costs 25 points. No valid MOT costs 12, or 4 if the car is declared off the road with a SORN. Dangerous defects at any MOT in the last three years cost 8. Each advisory or minor defect at the latest MOT costs 1, up to 8. Problems that recur on two or more test days within three years cost 2 each, up to 6. Failing more than half of at least four MOTs costs 4.

An outstanding safety recall costs 6, being marked for export 15 and being untaxed 3. A logbook issued in the last 90 days costs 2. Age costs 2 over 10 years old, or 4 over 15. Averaging more than 15,000 miles a year costs 3.

What the full check adds

The full history check adds the records that matter most. A stolen marker costs 60 points, as does a scrapped marker, and either one caps the score at 10. An insurance write-off costs 50 for Category A or B, 30 for Category S or the old C, and 15 for Category N or the old D, or 25 if no category is recorded. Outstanding finance costs 30 and a high-risk marker 25.

Being recorded as exported costs 10. Six or more previous keepers cost 6, and four or five cost 3. An imported car loses 3. More than two plate changes cost 2, and so does a change of colour.

What costs nothing

Some things are shown for information only: consistent mileage, not enough readings yet, a valid MOT, a car too new for its first MOT, a SORN tax status, a normal number of keepers, and a clear finance, write-off or stolen record. They tell you what is right with the car, which matters just as much.

The score never replaces a proper look at the car. Use it to rank a shortlist, then inspect the best with our test drive and inspection checklist. You can see every deduction laid out in the sample report.