CarCostCheck vs HPI Check: 2026 Comparison
Why pay £19.99 for an HPI check when you can get more data, deeper analysis, and instant results for £4.99?
£4.99
Premium history check
+ Free MOT analysis included
£19.99
Standard check
No MOT analysis, no running costs
Save £15 per check and get more information.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | CarCostCheck | HPI Check |
|---|---|---|
| MOT history (every test since 2005) | ||
| MOT advisories interpreted in plain English | ||
| Estimated repair costs per advisory | ||
| Mileage verification / clocking detection | ||
| Reliability score (0-100) | ||
| Annual running costs breakdown | ||
| Common faults for make/model | ||
| Fuel cost calculator | ||
| Insurance group estimation | ||
| Red flag alerts (neglect, structural, safety) | ||
| Stolen check (PNC) | ||
| Finance outstanding check | ||
| Write-off check (Cat A/B/N/S) | ||
| Previous owners / keeper count | ||
| VIN verification | ||
| Colour change history | ||
| Plate transfer history | ||
| Scrapped vehicle check | ||
| Market valuation | Coming soon | |
| Guaranteed data protection | ||
| Price (full check) | £4.99 | £19.99 |
Where CarCostCheck wins
75% cheaper
£4.99 instead of £19.99. Same Experian data source for history checks, but a fraction of the cost.
Full MOT analysis
Every MOT since 2005, with advisories interpreted in plain English, severity ratings, and estimated repair costs. HPI does not offer this.
Reliability score
A 0-100 score based on MOT pass rate, advisory trends, maintenance patterns, and mileage consistency. One number that tells you the car's real condition.
Running costs
Annual fuel, road tax, predicted repairs, and MOT costs combined into one figure. Know exactly what the car will cost you to own.
Common faults
The most frequent issues for the specific make and model, based on millions of real MOT test results from DVSA data.
Red flag detection
Recurring brake issues, signs of neglect, structural rust, and safety concerns are flagged automatically. HPI does not analyse MOT patterns.
What about brand recognition?
HPI has been around since 1938, so the brand is well known. If you are selling a car and want the buyer to recognise the check by name, an HPI check carries that familiarity.
HPI has also traditionally been stronger on market valuations. We are currently adding our own market valuation feature, powered by live listing data, which will close that gap entirely.
In every other area, CarCostCheck matches or exceeds what HPI offers. We use the same Experian data for stolen, finance, and write-off checks. We add full MOT analysis, reliability scoring, and running costs on top. And we charge £4.99 instead of £19.99.
For the vast majority of car buyers, CarCostCheck is the better choice.
£4.99
Full premium check
Save £15 vs HPI
20+ checks
In every report
More than HPI includes
Instant
Results in seconds
No waiting, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
Is CarCostCheck a genuine alternative to HPI?▼
Yes. CarCostCheck provides everything HPI offers, plus a significant amount of additional analysis that HPI does not include. We cover stolen, finance, write-off, keeper, and VIN checks using the same Experian data. On top of that, we add full MOT history analysis, reliability scoring, running cost breakdowns, common faults, and red flag detection. Our premium check is £4.99 compared to HPI's £19.99.
What does CarCostCheck include that HPI does not?▼
CarCostCheck analyses every MOT test since 2005, interprets advisories and failures in plain English, estimates repair costs, detects mileage clocking, calculates a reliability score (0-100), identifies common faults for the specific make and model, and gives you a full annual running cost breakdown including fuel, tax, MOT, and predicted repairs. None of this is included in an HPI check.
Where does the data come from?▼
Free data comes directly from DVSA (MOT History API) and DVLA (Vehicle Enquiry Service), the same official government databases used by garages and dealers. Premium history data (stolen, finance, write-offs) is provided by Experian, the same source HPI uses for their checks.
Why is CarCostCheck so much cheaper than HPI?▼
HPI was established decades ago and charges a premium for brand recognition. We built CarCostCheck from the ground up with modern technology, which means lower overheads and better value. We pass those savings on. The raw data costs are the same for everyone, so there is no difference in data quality.
Do I need both a free check and a premium check?▼
The free check gives you a comprehensive MOT analysis, reliability score, mileage verification, running costs, and common faults. If you are buying a used car, we recommend also getting the premium check (£4.99) to verify the car is not stolen, has no outstanding finance, and has not been written off. Together, both checks give you more information than an HPI check at a quarter of the price.
Is the free car check really free?▼
Completely free, with no sign-up required. The free check includes full MOT history, mileage verification, reliability score, running costs, red flags, and common faults. The optional premium check at £4.99 adds stolen, finance, write-off, keeper, and VIN data.
How quickly do I get results?▼
Instantly. Enter a registration plate and your free report appears in seconds. If you purchase the premium check, those results also appear within seconds of payment.
Can I check any UK vehicle?▼
Yes. Any vehicle registered in the UK with an MOT history can be checked. This includes cars, vans, and motorcycles. Very new vehicles (under 3 years old) may not have MOT data yet, but DVLA vehicle details will still be available.
Why pay £19.99 when you can get more for £4.99?
Enter any UK reg plate to get your free car check in seconds. Upgrade to premium for just £4.99 for the full history.