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Understanding factory build data — decoding option codes, checking used cars, and getting the most from your report.

Guides 2 July 2026 · 7 min read How to read your factory option codes Factory option codes can look like alphabet soup. Here’s how to turn the list into a clear picture of your car’s original specification. Read article →

Explainers 24 June 2026 VIN vs UK reg: which should you use? A UK registration is quick and convenient; a VIN follows the car for life. Here’s which identifier to use, and when it matters. Read article → Buying advice 17 June 2026 Buying used? Check the factory spec first A used-car advert tells you what the seller sees today. The factory specification reveals what the car was meant to have from day one. Read article → Guides 10 June 2026 What's in a build sheet? A full walkthrough Wondering what’s in a build sheet? Take a page-by-page tour through vehicle identity, factory options, packages and control codes. Read article → Explainers 3 June 2026 The service history add-on, explained The digital service history add-on is a separate record of available service events. Here’s what it includes—and what it cannot tell you. Read article → Buying advice 27 May 2026 Why dealers check the build sheet before pricing a trade-in Two cars with the same badge can be very different stock. Here’s why dealers check the build sheet before making a trade-in offer. Read article → Explainers 20 May 2026 What is a build sheet — and how do you get yours? A build sheet is the factory record for one individual vehicle—not a generic brochure. Here’s what it contains and how to get yours. Read article → Explainers 13 May 2026 Free VIN decoder vs factory build sheet: what's the difference? A free VIN decoder reads the identifier; a factory build sheet retrieves the vehicle’s recorded specification. The difference is bigger than it sounds. Read article → Guides 6 May 2026 How to find your VIN: every location, by manufacturer Can’t find the 17-character VIN? Start at the windscreen, then check the door shut, body stamp and V5C—with a few traps to avoid. Read article → Guides 29 April 2026 BMW option codes explained: decoding your spec list BMW option codes reveal far more than the headline trim. Here’s how to read S-codes, packages, equipment and less exciting factory instructions. Read article → Guides 22 April 2026 The Mercedes-Benz datacard: what it is and how to read it A Mercedes-Benz datacard is the build record behind the badge. Learn how to read its identity fields, option codes, packages and control entries. Read article → Guides 15 April 2026 Audi & VW PR codes: a beginner's guide Audi and VW PR codes look cryptic, but they are wonderfully specific. Here’s where to find them and how to read them without guesswork. Read article → Buying advice 8 April 2026 How to spot a car modified from its factory spec Some modifications announce themselves; others hide in software or factory-looking retrofits. A build sheet gives you the original starting point. Read article → Buying advice 1 April 2026 Do factory options add resale value? Some factory options support a higher resale value; others simply make the phone ring sooner. Original price is rarely the deciding factor. Read article → Buying advice 25 March 2026 How to verify "full service history" before you buy “Full service history” can mean several different things. Build a proper timeline from invoices, digital records, stamps and direct checks. Read article → Guides 18 March 2026 Land Rover & Jaguar build records: what's available for your VIN Land Rover and Jaguar build records can be impressively detailed. Here’s what may be available for your VIN and how to read the quirks. Read article →