FAQ
Quick answers
Tap a question to expand. Prefer a walkthrough? See the How-to Guide.
What is free, and what do I pay for?
Free: model cheat sheets, shortlists, and a registration identity peek. Paid (optional): a unified Master Vehicle Report with all six buyer-intelligence insights, finance and salvage checks, valuation, plus deeper MOT and mileage evidence.
Do I need an account?
No. Cheat sheets and the free identity peek don’t require signup. Your shortlist and buyer checklist are stored in this browser. Paid report packs use the email from Stripe checkout plus a magic link (no password) so you can see remaining credits and unlock more plates.
I bought a multi-report pack — how do I use the rest?
Check the email from your purchase for a magic link, or open My Reports in the footer and request a fresh link. You’ll see how many reports are left and can unlock another registration there. Billing receipts are available via Stripe’s customer portal from the same page.
What does the Buyer checklist do?
It tracks progress for the tab you’re on, so Search, Match by Lifestyle, and Ask Carter each show their own path — not all six steps at once. Every path starts with “Started your checklist,” then that tab’s action. “Built your shortlist” appears once you’ve named a shortlist and saved a car. “Verified a registration” stays on every tab and is the final step — you hit 100% when a plate is verified. Continue jumps you to the next unfinished step for the current tab.
Why name a shortlist?
Naming (e.g. “Weekend SUV hunt”) and saving cars makes the research feel like yours — easier to come back to than a one-off search. Tap a saved car to reopen its cheat sheet.
Can I paste a full AutoTrader-style listing title?
Yes. Something like “2011 BMW X6 4.4 50i V8 Steptronic…” works. We normalise make/model (and spelling where we can), then build or reuse a cheat sheet in the library.
What are the headache filters?
They focus the cheat sheet on mechanical issues, true running costs, and critical red flags. They’re pre-selected because that’s what most buyers need — tap to turn any off.
What is Ask Carter good for?
Blunt, UK-focused questions when you’re still deciding — common faults, comparisons, budget realities. After Carter replies, you can run a free plate identity check in the same tab.
Does the full report include the cheat sheet?
Yes. The Master Vehicle Report combines all six model-specific buyer insights with the history, mileage, MOT, valuation, and verification data for the registration you unlock.
Why show big £ amounts next to the report price?
So the one-off check isn’t judged in isolation. We show a typical used-car spend and the cost of a bad surprise first; then the report price, so you can compare like for like.
Where are refunds and legal terms?
See Refund, Terms, Privacy, and the other policies linked in the site footer, or open Legal & Policies from there.
How do I contact support?
Email support@cartersclearcar.com — also linked in the footer.