THE AA and CCN Group have launched a new service enabling buyers of used cars to check whether they are unrecovered stolen vehicles, have previously been written off or are owned by a finance company.

The Used Car Data Check, similar to the Equifax HPI system, checks vehicle identification numbers against a database of information on more than 50 million vehicles that have been scrapped or exported, as well as the 24 million cars currently on the road.

The system also provides an insurance that pays the average retail value of the car, up to £10,000, if the customer suffers a financial loss as a result of relying on information given. An instant check costs £19.50 for AA members and £25 for non-members and is available by calling 0800 234999.