Honest car data, no nonsense
CarCostCheck turns raw government and industry data into clear answers about any UK vehicle. Free checks for everyone, plus a full history check when you need it.
What we do
We help car buyers and owners understand what a vehicle will actually cost them. Enter any UK registration plate and we instantly analyse the complete MOT history, verify the mileage, flag potential problems, and calculate a realistic annual running cost.
The free report covers everything most people need. For buyers who want the full picture before handing over money, the premium check adds stolen, finance, write-off, and previous owner data from Experian, the Police National Computer, and the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register.
Why use CarCostCheck?
Genuinely free
The free report is a real report, not a teaser. MOT history, mileage, health score, running costs, and red flags at no cost.
Official data sources
DVSA, DVLA and Experian, whose data includes Police National Computer stolen records and the MIAFTR write-off register.
Instant results
No waiting. No email sign-up. Enter a reg and get the full report in seconds.
£4.99 premium check
The AA and RAC charge £14.99. Ours is £4.99 for the stolen, finance and write-off checks, plus free MOT analysis.
Report link that does not expire
Your report appears on screen straight away and we email you a link that does not expire. With the history check you can also download a PDF from the report page.
Actionable insights
We don't just show you data. We tell you what it means, what to budget for, and what to watch out for.
Free vs Premium
The free report covers everything from official MOT and DVLA data. The premium check adds history data from Experian and the police.
£0
No sign-up needed
- ✓MOT & tax status
- ✓Full MOT history
- ✓Mileage verification
- ✓Health score (0-100)
- ✓Running costs & MPG
- ✓CO2 & tax band
- ✓Red flag alerts
- ✓Common faults
- ✓Recall check
£4.99
One-time per vehicle
Everything free, plus:
- ★Stolen check (PNC)
- ★Finance outstanding
- ★Write-off (Cat A/B/N/S)
- ★Previous owners
- ★VIN check and engine number
- ★Colour changes
- ★Plate transfers
- ★Scrapped check
- ★Emailed report link + PDF download
How it works
Enter a reg plate
Type in the registration of any car. Works for cars, vans, and motorcycles registered in the UK.
We pull the data
Your free report is generated instantly from DVSA and DVLA. For premium, we also query Experian through our data partner; its data includes Police National Computer stolen records.
Get your report
Everything in one place: MOT analysis, mileage checks, running costs, red flags, health score, and (optionally) the full history check.
Where our data comes from
DVSA MOT History API
Every MOT test result since 2005: pass/fail, advisories, failures, danger items, and odometer readings.
DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service
Registration details, tax status, engine specs, fuel type, CO2 emissions, and colour.
Experian AutoCheck
Finance records, write-off history, keeper changes, the VIN on record, colour changes, and scrapped status.
Police National Computer (PNC)
Stolen vehicle records, supplied as part of the Experian data. Write-offs come from MIAFTR, the insurers' register.
Free checks use DVSA and DVLA data, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Premium checks use Experian data via the OneAuto API.
How the health score works
Every vehicle gets a score from 0 to 100 based on seven factors from its MOT history. This gives you a single number to compare vehicles objectively.
How often it passes first time across all tests
Failures in the last 3 tests weigh more heavily
History of safety-critical failures
Whether issues are improving, stable, or worsening
Problems that appear in consecutive tests
Odometer gaps or drops that suggest clocking
Easily preventable failures like bulbs or wipers
Score grades
How running costs are calculated
We estimate annual fuel costs using the vehicle's engine size, fuel type, and average mileage from MOT odometer readings. Road tax uses the correct VED bands based on registration date and CO2 emissions.
Predicted repair costs come from the MOT advisory history. Each advisory is mapped to a cost range based on typical UK garage prices. A car with recurring brake advisories will have higher predicted costs than one with a clean history.
The total gives you a realistic baseline for what a car will cost per year. Individual costs will vary depending on driving habits, location, and choice of garage.
Ready to check a car?
Enter any UK reg plate for a free instant report. Need the full picture? Add a premium history check for just £4.99.
Questions? Email hello@carcostcheck.co.uk