A complete breakdown of what every UK car check service charges in 2026, from free basic checks to premium history reports. We compare 8 providers and explain what you actually get at each price point.
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
| Provider | Price | Stolen | Finance | Write-off | MOT History | Running Costs | Reliability Score | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CarVertical | £33.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HPI Check | £19.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| RAC Car Passport | £9.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AA Car Check | £9.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Total Car Check (Gold) | £9.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MyCarCheck | £4.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CarCostCheck | £4.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | £2.99 add-on |
| Total Car Check (Basic) | £1.99 | ✗ | ✗ | Limited | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CarCostCheck (Free Tier) | Free | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
Short answer: A comprehensive car history check costs between £4.99 and £33.99 in the UK depending on the provider. The cheapest full check (stolen, finance, write-off, plus MOT history and running costs) is £4.99 from CarCostCheck. All providers use the same Experian data for the core provenance checks. The price differences come down to branding, not data quality.
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The most generous free car check available. Includes full MOT history with every test since 2005, mileage verification with anomaly detection, reliability score, annual running cost estimate, common faults for the make and model, insurance group, ULEZ compliance, and outstanding recall check. No sign-up, no email, instant results.
This is enough to screen cars before viewing. If the mileage does not add up, the reliability is poor, or the running costs are higher than expected, you know not to waste time on this car.
The cheapest paid option, but it covers very little. You get vehicle identity data (make, model, colour), keeper count, and scrapped status. It does not include finance, stolen, or detailed write-off checks. For most buyers, this level of check is insufficient.
The sweet spot. At this price, you get the full Experian provenance data (stolen, finance, write-off, VIN, keepers) from both providers. CarCostCheck also includes everything from the free tier (MOT history, running costs, reliability) making it the most comprehensive report available at any price.
Same Experian data as the £4.99 providers. No MOT analysis, no running costs, no reliability scoring. You are paying double for brand recognition.
Same Experian data again, plus the HPI Guarantee (which has a poor track record on Trustpilot) and an auto-enrolling £39/year subscription. At four times the price of CarCostCheck, with fewer features, this is the hardest to justify.
The most expensive option. Its unique feature is European cross-border vehicle history for imports. For standard UK cars, it provides no additional data over £4.99 providers.
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Data from DVSA and DVLA. Used by thousands of UK car buyers.
The UK vehicle history check market is built on a single data pipeline:
When you pay £19.99 for an HPI check, you are paying for the same Experian query that CarCostCheck runs for £4.99. The additional cost covers HPI's marketing budget, office overheads, and profit margin. It does not buy you better data.
Total cost for a complete car check and valuation: £6.99. That is 65% less than HPI charges for a basic check without a valuation.
CarCostCheck is not just a cheaper version of HPI. It is a fundamentally better product that happens to cost 75% less. 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 identical stolen, finance, and write-off data. 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.
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.