A useful valuation is not just a single number. It should show:
- Private sale value: What you could realistically sell the car for to another individual
- Dealer retail value: What dealers near you are asking for similar cars on their forecourts
- Days to sell: How long similar cars typically take to sell in your area
- Remaining life: How many more years the car is likely to stay on the road
The CarCostCheck valuation (£2.99) covers these: a private sale range, the local dealer value from live dealer listings near your postcode (where enough similar cars are for sale), how long similar cars take to sell, and how many years the car is likely to stay on the road, plus our estimated insurance group. Most free tools give you a single number with no context. For a quick starting figure, our free car valuation by reg gives an instant estimated value range, with no email or sign-up. If you are part-exchanging, also get a trade quote from a dealer or a buying service, because trade prices sit below private sale prices.
If You Are Buying
Get a valuation before negotiating. If the seller is asking £8,500 and the data shows the market value is £7,200, you have evidence to support a lower offer. The CarCostCheck history check and valuation for £6.99 gives you both the valuation and the full history check, so you go into the negotiation with complete information about both the car's condition and its market value.
If You Are Selling
Get a valuation before setting your asking price. Price too high and you waste time with no enquiries. Price too low and you leave money on the table. The £2.99 report shows you where the market sits and how quickly similar cars are selling.
If You Are Part-Exchanging
Dealers rely on most people not knowing their car's value. A £2.99 valuation showing the real market price gives you leverage. If the dealer offers £4,000 and the data shows private sale value is £5,800, you can make an informed decision about whether the convenience of part-exchange is worth the difference.
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.
Ready to Check a Car?
12 checks included free. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99. Market valuation from £2.99.
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