Key takeaway: CarCostCheck provides the most comprehensive car history check in the UK for £4.99. That includes everything you would get from a £19.99 service (stolen, finance, write-off) plus 10 additional checks (MOT analysis, mileage verification, reliability, running costs) that those services do not offer. The free check alone goes further than most paid alternatives.
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Enter a reg plate below. Full MOT history, mileage check, reliability score, and running costs in seconds.
What £4.99 Gets You
CarCostCheck's premium check at £4.99 includes everything in the free report plus the paid database checks. Here is the complete list:
Free (Included Automatically)
- Full MOT history (every test since 2005)
- MOT advisories explained in plain English
- Estimated repair costs per advisory
- Mileage verification and clocking detection
- Reliability score (0-100)
- Annual running cost estimates
- Fuel cost calculator
- Insurance group estimation
- Common faults for the make/model
- Red flag alerts (neglect, structural, safety)
Premium (£4.99)
- Stolen vehicle check (Police National Computer)
- Outstanding finance check (Experian)
- Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous keeper count
- VIN verification
- Colour change history
Total: 16+ data points. Typical £19.99 services provide 5.
Why This Matters for Buyers
Most used car buyers in the UK overpay for car checks. They see the well-known brand, pay £20, and assume they have done everything they can. In reality, they have covered only a fraction of what matters.
A car can be clear on stolen, finance, and write-off checks and still be a terrible purchase. Without MOT analysis, you would not know about the £1,500 of upcoming repairs. Without mileage verification, you would not catch the clocked odometer. Without running cost estimates, you would not realise the car costs £500/year more than the alternative.
CarCostCheck was built to give buyers the complete picture, not just the legal checks. And at £4.99, there is no reason not to get everything.
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Full Comparison
| 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 Maths: Saving vs Risk
Consider the potential costs of not checking properly:
| Risk | Potential Cost | Caught by £4.99 Check? |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a stolen car | Total loss of car + money paid | ✓ |
| Outstanding finance | Total loss of car + money paid | ✓ |
| Undisclosed write-off | £1,000-3,000 overpayment | ✓ |
| Clocked mileage | £2,000-4,000 overpayment | ✓ (free check) |
| Unexpected repairs | £500-2,000 | ✓ (free check) |
| Higher running costs than expected | £500+ per year | ✓ (free check) |
A £4.99 check protects against losses that could be 1,000 times higher. Even if you check 10 cars at £4.99 each (£49.90), you spend less than three £20 checks (£59.97) and get far more data each time.
How to Get Started
- Run the free check: Enter a reg plate and review the MOT analysis, reliability score, and running costs
- Shortlist the best options: Use the free check on every car you are considering
- Add premium for the one you want: When you are ready to buy, add the £4.99 premium for stolen, finance, and write-off verification
The entire process takes less than a minute per car. No sign-up, no downloads, instant results.
Why We Keep the Price at £4.99
The raw data costs (DVSA, DVLA, Experian) are fixed. We built CarCostCheck with modern technology that keeps our operating costs low. Rather than charging £20 and spending the difference on marketing, we charge £4.99 and let the product speak for itself.
The data quality is identical. The same government APIs, the same Experian records, the same databases. The difference is what we do with the data (more analysis, more interpretation, more actionable insights) and what we charge for it (75% less).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a full car check for under £5?
Yes. CarCostCheck premium at £4.99 includes 16+ data points: everything from MOT analysis to stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
What is included in a £4.99 car check?
Full MOT history analysis, mileage verification, reliability score, running costs, insurance group, common faults, red flags, plus stolen, finance, write-off, keeper, VIN, and colour change checks.
How does a £4.99 check compare to a £20 check?
The £4.99 check includes 16+ data points compared to 5 from typical £20 services. The extra checks (MOT analysis, reliability, running costs, common faults) are not available from expensive alternatives at any price.
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: Cheapest Car History Check UK 2026 | Is an HPI Check Worth £20? | Full Feature Comparison