For £4.99, CarCostCheck's history check covers stolen (Police National Computer), outstanding finance with the lender and agreement details, insurance write-offs with the category, date and damage, the number of keepers with the date of each recorded change, plate transfers, colour changes, import and export markers, VIN and scrapped status. The data comes from Experian AutoCheck.
Before you pay anything, the free report shows every MOT test since 2005 with plain-English advisories and repair estimates, a mileage timeline that flags possible clocking, a reliability score, a running-cost estimate (fuel, road tax, MOT and predicted repairs) and common faults from the car's own MOT history. A market valuation is £2.99, or £6.99 with the history check.
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- The guarantee: the RAC's Full check carries up to £30,000 data guarantee on qualifying claims. CarCostCheck does not offer a guarantee.
- The brand: some buyers and sellers simply prefer a check with the RAC name on it.
- Inspections: the RAC also sells in-person vehicle inspections, a separate service that checks the car's physical condition.
| What you want | CarCostCheck | RAC |
|---|
| A full history check with finance details on one car | £4.99 | £14.99 (Full) |
| MOT history and mileage before you decide | Free on every car | Included in the Full check |
| Several cars in one go | £4.99, then £4.49, then £4.00 each (one order, up to five cars) | Multi Check £29.97 |
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:
- Market valuation from £2.99, based on live UK dealer listings. See the local dealer value for your car and how quickly similar cars sell near you.
- Estimated vehicle lifespan: An estimate of how many years the car has left on UK roads and the probability of it still being on the road in 12 months.
- Insurance costs by age: See estimated annual premiums for drivers aged 20, 30, 40, and 50. Budget before you buy.
- Running cost breakdown: Annual fuel, road tax, MOT, predicted repairs, and total cost per month. All calculated for this specific car.
- Reliability score (0-100): one number based on the car's MOT record, including its pass rate, recent failures, advisory trend and mileage. Free.
- Common faults: the problems that keep coming up in the car's own MOT history. Free.
- 12 free checks: Full MOT history, mileage verification, reliability score, running costs, fuel costs, red flag alerts, common faults, recall check, ULEZ compliance, tax and MOT status, and more. All before you pay a penny.
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.
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