Everything you need to know
about your car
Enter any reg plate. We analyse the full MOT history, check for mileage issues, predict upcoming repairs, and calculate the true annual running cost.
100% free. No sign-up. Powered by official DVSA and DVLA data.
£3,400+
Average annual car cost
UK driver average
59%
Hit by surprise repairs
Average bill: £650
Since 2005
Full MOT history
Every test analysed
More than just an MOT check
We turn raw government data into clear, actionable insights about any vehicle.
MOT history decoded
Every advisory and failure translated into plain English. We tell you how serious it is and estimate what it will cost to fix.
Mileage verification
Every odometer reading checked for inconsistencies. If the mileage has been wound back, we flag it immediately.
True running costs
Fuel, road tax, predicted repairs, and MOT costs combined into one clear annual figure. No surprises after you buy.
Red flag alerts
Recurring brake issues? Signs of neglect? Structural rust? We highlight the problems that matter before you hand over your money.
Health score (0-100)
Every vehicle gets a score based on MOT history, advisory trends, and maintenance patterns. One number to compare cars.
Common problems
The most frequent issues for this make and model, based on millions of real MOT test results from DVSA data.
How it works
Enter the registration
Type in the reg plate of any car you're thinking of buying, or your own car.
We pull the official data
We fetch the complete MOT history from DVSA and vehicle details from DVLA. Every test since 2005.
Get your report
Interpreted MOT history, mileage analysis, predicted costs, red flags, and a health score. All free, all instant.
Trusted data, zero cost
Official sources
All data comes directly from DVSA and DVLA government databases. The same data garages and dealers use.
100% free
No hidden charges. No premium unlock walls. Every car check is completely free, every time.
No sign-up required
No account needed. No email required. Just enter a reg and get your report instantly.
Frequently asked questions
What data do you use?▼
All data comes directly from DVSA (MOT History API) and DVLA (Vehicle Enquiry Service). These are the same official government databases that garages and dealers use. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Is CarCostCheck really free?▼
Yes. Every car check is completely free. No hidden charges, no premium unlock walls, no sign-up required. Just enter a reg and get your report instantly.
How accurate are the running cost estimates?▼
Running costs are calculated using current fuel prices, DVSA MOT fee rates, official road tax bands, and predicted repairs based on the vehicle's actual MOT advisory history. Individual costs will vary, but the estimates give you a reliable baseline.
Can you detect clocked mileage?▼
We analyse every odometer reading from the full MOT history (back to 2005). If the mileage drops between tests, we flag it as a high clocking risk. We also detect suspicious gaps and unusually low readings.
What does the health score mean?▼
The health score is a 0-100 rating based on MOT pass rate, dangerous defects, advisory trends, recurring issues, mileage consistency, and neglect signals. Grade A (90+) means excellent condition; Grade F (below 30) means significant concerns.
How often is the data updated?▼
Vehicle data is fetched live from DVSA and DVLA each time you run a check. Results are cached for 24 hours. The MOT history includes every test since the vehicle was first tested.
Why check a car's true cost before buying?
The average UK driver spends over £3,400 a year running their car. 59% of drivers faced unexpected repair bills last year, with the average surprise bill coming in at £650. Most of these costs could have been predicted by looking at the MOT history.
The government's MOT checker on GOV.UK shows you the raw test results, but it doesn't tell you what they mean. An advisory for "brake disc worn close to legal limit" sounds concerning, but is it? How much will it cost? Is it normal for this car? CarCostCheck answers all of these questions.
We analyse every MOT test since 2005, checking for patterns that indicate how well a car has been maintained, whether the mileage is genuine, and what repairs you should budget for. We combine this with DVLA data on tax, fuel type, and emissions to give you a complete picture of what a car will cost to own.
Whether you're buying your first car, comparing two options on AutoTrader, or just curious about your own car's health, CarCostCheck gives you the information you need to make a smart decision.
Ready to check a car?
Enter any UK reg plate to get the full report in seconds.