We compared the main UK car check services in 2026 on price, coverage, extras and catches. Here is which one we think offers the best value for most buyers. Spoiler: it is not the most expensive one.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Price | £4.99 (premium) / Free (basic) |
| Data coverage | Stolen, finance with lender and agreement details, write-off details and the date of each recorded keeper change, plus free MOT history, mileage, reliability and running costs |
| Hidden costs | None. No subscriptions, no auto-renewal. |
| Speed | Instant results, no sign-up required |
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
Short answer: After comparing the main UK car check services in 2026, we think CarCostCheck offers the best value for most buyers. At £4.99, it includes everything the £19.99 HPI check covers (same Experian data) plus MOT history analysis, running costs, reliability scoring, and common faults that no other provider includes. The free tier alone is more comprehensive than some providers' paid reports.
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We evaluated each provider on five criteria that matter to used car buyers:
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Data from DVSA and DVLA. Used by thousands of UK car buyers.
What it includes: The free report gives you full MOT history, a mileage check with clocking detection, a reliability score, running cost estimates, common faults, recalls, ULEZ and tax. The £4.99 history check adds stolen, outstanding finance (lender, agreement type, start date and term), write-off (category, date, insurer and damage), keepers with the date of each recorded change, a VIN check, plate transfers, colour changes, and import, export and scrapped markers. The £6.99 bundle adds a market valuation.
What sets it apart: full core checks plus practical ownership information (reliability, running costs, predicted repairs) for £4.99. HPI at four times the price does not include any of these extras.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Price | £8.49 (Comprehensive, with finance; the £4.99 Basic check leaves finance out) |
| Data coverage | Good (provenance only, no MOT or costs) |
| Hidden costs | None |
| Speed | Instant |
What it includes: Stolen, finance, write-off, mileage anomaly flag, plate changes, and keeper count. Make sure you choose Comprehensive: MyCarCheck's £4.99 Basic check does not include finance. It does not include MOT history analysis, running cost estimates, or reliability scoring.
Verdict: A solid provenance-only option. If all you want is the core checks without the extras, it does the job. But with finance included it costs £3.50 more than CarCostCheck and gives you less information.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Price | £14.99 (or 5 checks at £6 each) |
| Data coverage | Standard (provenance only) |
| Hidden costs | May upsell AA membership |
| Speed | Instant |
Verdict: The same core checks as CarCostCheck at three times the price, with a £30,000 guarantee. Five checks cost £6 each, which suits buyers comparing several cars. The AA name adds trust for some buyers.
The Basic check (£9.98) flags finance only, with no agreement details, mileage, MOT history or guarantee. The Full check (£14.99) adds finance details, mileage, MOT history, write-off details, previous owners, average running costs and MOT failure data, with a £30,000 guarantee on qualifying claims. A good choice if you want a motoring brand and a guarantee.
| Criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Price | £19.99 |
| Data coverage | Standard (provenance only) |
| Hidden costs | £39/year auto-renewing subscription |
| Trustpilot rating | 1.3/5 (hundreds of reviews) |
Verdict: The most expensive mainstream option with the worst customer reviews. The same Experian data as every other provider, no MOT analysis, no running costs, and a hidden subscription that auto-charges £39/year. The brand recognition is strong, but the product has not kept pace with the market.
The most expensive single report in this comparison. carVertical's reports include a market price and European history, so it is worth considering if the car has spent time abroad. Three reports cost £62.97.
| Feature | CarCostCheck | MyCarCheck | AA | RAC | HPI | CarVertical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £4.99 | £8.49 (Comprehensive) | £14.99 | £14.99 (Full) | £19.99 | £39.99 |
| Stolen check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Finance check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Write-off check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MOT history | ✓ (free) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mileage analysis | ✓ (free) | Basic | ✗ | ✓ | Basic | ✓ |
| Running costs | ✓ (free) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Reliability score | ✓ (free) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Common faults | ✓ (free) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Recall check | ✓ (free) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Valuation | £2.99 add-on | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Separate product | ✓ |
| Hidden subscription | No | No | No | No | £39/yr auto-renew | No |
| EU import history | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
For most used car purchases in the UK, CarCostCheck is our recommendation. It costs less than most checks that include finance, gives you the detail you need if something turns up, and is a one-off payment with no subscription. Start with the free check to screen the car, then pay £4.99 for the premium report if it looks promising. Add the valuation for £2.99 (or £6.99 for the bundle) if you want negotiation ammunition.
CarCostCheck is not just a cheaper version of HPI. As well as the history check, it helps you judge whether a car will be a good one to own. Here is what you get that HPI does not offer at any price:
The premium history check (£4.99) uses the same Experian database as HPI, AA, and RAC. You get the same core checks: stolen, outstanding finance and write-off. The complete bundle (history + valuation) is £6.99, still 65% cheaper than HPI's basic check.
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12 checks included free. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99. Market valuation from £2.99.
For most buyers, we think CarCostCheck offers the best mix of price and coverage. At £4.99 the history check covers stolen, outstanding finance (with the lender and agreement details) and write-off, plus the date of each recorded keeper change, and the free report adds full MOT history, a mileage check, a reliability score, running cost estimates, common faults and recalls. If you want a £30,000 data guarantee, the AA (£14.99) and the RAC's Full check (£14.99) include one.
No. Most cover the same core checks (stolen, outstanding finance, write-off), but the data and detail differ. Write-offs come from MIAFTR, the insurers' register, but finance registers are separate, and lenders register agreements with more than one. Some cheap tiers leave finance out (Total Car Check Silver, MyCarCheck Basic), and some basic checks flag finance without the agreement details (RAC Basic). Extras differ too: guarantees, valuations, reliability scores and running costs.
HPI, despite being the most recognised name, has a 1.3/5 rating on Trustpilot due to subscription complaints. The AA and RAC car check services benefit from their parent brand reputation but have limited standalone reviews.
Usually not. One full check that covers stolen, outstanding finance and write-off is enough for most UK cars. If the car has spent time abroad, carVertical's report adds European history. If you want the car's condition checked in person, book a mechanical inspection as well.
Enter any reg plate for a free MOT history, mileage check, health score, and running costs. No signup needed.
Used by thousands of UK car buyers. Data from DVSA and DVLA.
Example report preview
2019 Ford Fiesta
1.0 EcoBoost, Petrol, Manual
82
Grade B
£1,860
per year
Pass
MOT status
42k
Mileage
This is what you'll see. Try it with YOUR car:
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12 free checks included. Premium history from £4.99. Valuation from £2.99.