The RAC offers both online car checks and physical inspections. We break down exactly what each includes, how they compare to alternatives, and whether they are worth the money.
| Feature | RAC Car Passport (£9.99) | CarCostCheck Premium (£4.99) | CarCostCheck Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stolen check | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Finance check | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Write-off check | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| VIN/plate check | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Keeper count | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Full MOT history | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MOT advisories explained | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repair cost predictions | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reliability score | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Running cost breakdown | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Common faults | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| DVSA recall data | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | £9.99 | £4.99 | Free |
Full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs. No signup needed.
Short answer: The RAC offers two completely different car check products, and it is important not to confuse them. The RAC Car Passport is an online database check costing £9.99. It provides the same Experian-sourced provenance data as HPI but at half the price. The RAC physical inspection starts at £99 and involves a mechanic checking the car in person. For an online check, CarCostCheck provides the same core data plus significant extras for £4.99.
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The RAC Car Passport is their online data check, priced at £9.99. Like the AA and HPI, it queries the Experian vehicle database to check:
The report is clean and well-presented, as you would expect from the RAC brand. It includes a data guarantee similar to HPI's, covering you if the car turns out to have undisclosed stolen or finance issues that the check missed.
What the online check does not include: MOT test history, advisory and failure details, repair cost estimates, running cost projections, reliability scoring, common fault alerts, or DVSA recall status. For those data points, you need to look elsewhere.
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.
The RAC also offers physical vehicle inspections starting from £99 for the basic tier and going up to £199 for the comprehensive package. These are hands-on assessments where a qualified mechanic visits the car's location and checks 82+ points covering:
A physical inspection catches things that no online database can: hidden body filler, oil leaks, suspension wear, clutch slip, and general mechanical condition. If you are spending serious money on a used car, or buying privately without any warranty, a physical inspection is genuinely useful.
However, the physical inspection and the online car passport are completely separate products. Buying the £99 inspection does not include stolen, finance, or write-off checks. You would need to buy both if you want complete coverage, bringing the total to £109 or more.
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A physical inspection is worth considering in specific situations:
For most standard used car purchases, however, a thorough online check is sufficient. A free CarCostCheck report will show you every MOT test since 2005, flag any mileage discrepancies, and estimate the car's reliability and running costs. The £4.99 premium upgrade confirms whether the car is stolen, financed, or written off. Together, that covers the major risk areas for half the price of the RAC online check alone.
The RAC is a trusted brand, and their physical inspection service is genuinely good for high-value purchases. Their online Car Passport, however, is just another Experian data wrapper at £9.99 with no MOT analysis, no running costs, and no reliability insight. CarCostCheck provides the same provenance data plus a full layer of ownership intelligence for £4.99. Use the saved £5 towards a tank of fuel.
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.