An honest guide to when you need a car history check and when you do not. Covers private sales, dealer purchases, different price points, and what level of check is appropriate.
| Situation | Risk Level | Recommended Check | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private sale, £5,000+ | High | Free + Premium + Inspection | £105-205 |
| Private sale, £1,000-5,000 | High | Free + Premium | £4.99 |
| Private sale, under £1,000 | Medium | Free (Premium optional) | £0-4.99 |
| Independent dealer | Medium | Free + Premium | £4.99 |
| Franchise dealer | Low | Free (Premium optional) | £0-4.99 |
| Browsing/comparing | N/A | Free only | £0 |
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
Key takeaway: The free CarCostCheck report is always worth running. It costs nothing, takes seconds, and can save you thousands. The £4.99 premium check is worth adding whenever you are buying from a private seller or spending more than £1,000. At £4.99, it is the cheapest car insurance you will ever buy.
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Enter a reg plate below. Full MOT history, mileage check, reliability score, and running costs in seconds.
Private sales carry the most risk. Unlike dealers, private sellers have no legal obligation to disclose known faults, and your consumer protection is minimal. The car is sold "as seen." A comprehensive check is essential.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report + £4.99 premium (stolen, finance, write-off). Total cost: £4.99.
Cars sold on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or eBay carry similar risks to private sales. You often cannot verify the seller's identity or history. Scams are more common on these platforms.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report + £4.99 premium. Total cost: £4.99.
At this price point, the risk justifies thoroughness. A £4.99 check that prevents a £5,000 loss is a 1,000:1 return on investment.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report + £4.99 premium + professional inspection (£100-200). Total cost: £105-205.
Enter any reg below for a free MOT history, mileage check, and running costs. Takes 5 seconds, no signup.
Data from DVSA and DVLA. Used by thousands of UK car buyers.
Franchise dealers (official brand dealers) typically run their own checks and offer warranties. The risk of stolen or financed vehicles is low. However, the free CarCostCheck report is still valuable for understanding MOT history, upcoming maintenance, and running costs.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report (to understand running costs and condition). The £4.99 premium is optional but adds extra confidence.
For very cheap cars, the free check helps you understand what repairs are coming and whether the car is mechanically sound. The £4.99 premium is still worthwhile if you want to verify the car is not stolen, but at this price point many buyers accept more risk.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report at minimum. £4.99 premium is good practice but optional.
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When you are in the early stages of car shopping and comparing multiple options, the free check is perfect. Run it on every car you are considering to compare reliability, running costs, and MOT history. Save the £4.99 premium for the car you decide to buy.
Recommended: Free CarCostCheck report on every car you are considering.
The free CarCostCheck report catches problems that even the £19.99 paid services miss:
None of these would appear in a typical £19.99 car check. They only tell you about stolen, finance, and write-off status.
| Feature | CarCostCheck Free | CarCostCheck Premium £4.99 | Typical Paid Service £19.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full MOT history (every test since 2005) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| MOT advisories in plain English | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Estimated repair costs per advisory | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mileage verification / clocking detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reliability score (0-100) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Annual running costs breakdown | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fuel cost calculator | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Insurance group estimation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Red flag alerts | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Common faults for make/model | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stolen check (PNC) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance check | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Previous keeper count | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VIN verification | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Colour change history | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | Free | £4.99 | £19.99 |
The free CarCostCheck report is always worth running. It reveals MOT issues and running costs the dealer may not mention. For non-franchise dealers, add the £4.99 premium.
Yes. Cheap cars are more likely to have problems. The free check costs nothing and can prevent expensive surprises.
For browsing and shortlisting, yes. When buying, especially from a private seller, add the £4.99 premium for stolen, finance, and write-off protection.
Ready to Check a Car?
12 checks included. Free MOT analysis, mileage verification, running costs, and more. Premium stolen, finance, and write-off checks for just £4.99.
Related reading: How to Check a Used Car Before Buying | Cheapest Car History Check UK 2026 | Full Feature Comparison
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 A
£2,450
per year
Pass
MOT status
42k
Mileage
This is what you'll see. Try it with YOUR car:
12 free checks included. Premium history from £4.99. Valuation from £2.99.