Do you digging folks...

[fredgroves]

I hear what you are all saying about this, but if any of the checks you can do don't show "stolen recovered" how are you supposed to know?

Yes the OP found this by a bit of google, but I'd say thats a random chance of success...

[2007GTI]

So what it’s stolen recovered?

Any car you buy from a dealer or private, even with a flawless service history, immaculate paint, spotless interior etc, could have been driven very hard for all of those miles, even tracked, how would you ever know?!

Where as stolen recovered was probably taken with minimal fuss, maybe to order, and driven within speed limits as so not to draw attention to it, ready for its onward journey.  Not every stolen recovered was thrashed, that’s for sure.

I get it, the OP wants to buy the best for their money, but I really wouldn’t so be picky, life’s too short.

Example here:

https://youtu.be/b4HTLVpey9s?si=wQYtxM_ByJjSxZde

[Adam T7]

😂 Been a while since I’ve seen that.

Each to their own when buying a car, I’d always try to minimise any risks, but you are correct, unless you personal know car / driver, every 2nd hand car purchase comes with a risk.

[oryx3dr]

It was only through tracking down the owner did I really find out about the theft, it wasn't disclosed by the garage unfortunately. Insurance quotes were absolutely fine but to be honest, if I'm going to part with the money for a TCR, I want to know it's been kept in the best hands possible.

Sure, there are no guarantees when buying used cars, but the issue I had with this was that the price also didn't reflect the history.

I think moving forward I'll always favor VCheck for doing checks, cheaper and seemingly more thorough.