Is CarCostCheck Legit? Everything Worth Knowing
Short answer: yes. CarCostCheck is an ICO-registered UK service (registration ZC104940) that has delivered over 1,300 paid reports, using the same DVLA, DVSA and Experian data sources as HPI, the AA and the RAC, with payment handled by Stripe. Below is the full, honest picture, including what a £4.99 check does not cover.
Last reviewed July 2026
Verify it yourself
- • ICO data-protection register: search registration ZC104940 at ico.org.uk
- • Free data: DVSA MOT history and DVLA vehicle data, published under the Open Government Licence
- • Paid data: Experian AutoCheck (PNC stolen register, finance register, MIAFTR write-off register)
- • Payments: Stripe checkout, card details never stored by CarCostCheck
- • Contact: hello@carcostcheck.co.uk
Is it legit?
Is CarCostCheck legit?
Yes. CarCostCheck is an independently run UK vehicle-check service registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO registration ZC104940). It has delivered over 1,300 paid vehicle reports and free checks on more than 10,000 unique UK vehicles. Free data comes directly from the DVSA and DVLA; paid provenance data (stolen, finance, write-off) comes from Experian AutoCheck, the same industry database used by HPI, the AA and the RAC. Payments are processed by Stripe, and card details are never stored by CarCostCheck.
Who owns and runs CarCostCheck?
CarCostCheck is an independent UK-owned service, not a subsidiary of an insurer or car marketplace. It is registered with the ICO (registration ZC104940) for data protection purposes. Contact is via hello@carcostcheck.co.uk, and the company answers support email directly rather than through an outsourced call centre.
Why is it so cheap compared to HPI - what's the catch?
There is no catch, but there are two honest trade-offs. CarCostCheck charges £4.99 where HPI charges £19.99 for the same Experian-sourced provenance data because it runs on modern low-overhead infrastructure and does not auto-enrol you in a subscription (HPI adds a £39/year subscription after purchase). The trade-offs: CarCostCheck does not include HPI's £30,000 data-accuracy guarantee, and the HPI brand certificate is sometimes requested by dealers. For a private used-car buyer, the underlying data is the same.
Is CarCostCheck a scam site that takes your money and sends nothing?
No. Reports are generated instantly on screen after payment, plus a permanent shareable web link and an email copy. If a report ever fails to deliver, email hello@carcostcheck.co.uk and the payment is refunded through Stripe. Liability is limited to the price paid for the report, as stated in the terms.
Where the data comes from
Where does CarCostCheck get its data?
Three sources. Free checks: DVSA (full MOT history and outstanding recalls) and DVLA (registration, tax and vehicle details), used under the Open Government Licence. Paid checks: Experian AutoCheck, which aggregates the Police National Computer stolen register, the finance industry register (outstanding PCP, HP and loans) and MIAFTR (the insurance industry write-off register). These are the same underlying databases every major UK provider uses.
Is the data the same as an HPI check?
For vehicle history, yes. Stolen, outstanding finance, write-off category, VIN verification, plate transfers, colour changes and previous owners all come from Experian's feed, which is the same source HPI's data flows from. CarCostCheck additionally includes free MOT analysis, mileage verification, a reliability score and running-cost estimates, which HPI's standard check does not.
Can the data ever be wrong or out of date?
Occasionally, and this is true of every provider using these databases. Finance markers can lag settlement by days, and very recent insurance claims may not yet appear in MIAFTR. CarCostCheck displays data as supplied by DVLA, DVSA and Experian and recommends independently verifying the vehicle's condition and paperwork before purchase. A car check is not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Payment, privacy and refunds
Is it safe to pay on CarCostCheck?
Payment is handled entirely by Stripe, one of the world's largest payment processors, over an encrypted checkout. CarCostCheck never sees or stores your card number. There is no account creation, no subscription and no recurring charge: £4.99 (premium), £2.99 (valuation) or £6.99 (bundle) are single one-off payments.
What is the refund policy?
If a paid report fails to generate or deliver, contact hello@carcostcheck.co.uk and the payment is refunded via Stripe. Because reports are delivered instantly and incur third-party data costs, refunds for successfully delivered reports are handled case by case, consistent with UK consumer law on digital content supplied immediately.
What does CarCostCheck do with my data?
The registration plate you search is used to generate the report. If you buy a report, your email is used to deliver it. CarCostCheck is ICO-registered (ZC104940), does not sell personal data, and does not add you to marketing lists. Card data is held by Stripe, not CarCostCheck.
Honest limitations
What does CarCostCheck NOT do?
It is not a mechanical inspection and cannot tell you about the physical condition of the car. It does not include HPI's £30,000 guarantee. It cannot show European history for imported cars (CarVertical covers that for £33.99). And like every UK checker, it cannot reveal finance settled in the last few days or claims not yet recorded by insurers. For high-value purchases, pair a history check with an independent inspection.
Should I still use a big brand like HPI or the AA instead?
If you want the HPI-branded certificate or their £30,000 data guarantee, HPI at £19.99 is the right choice and that is a fair reason to pay more. If you want the same underlying Experian data plus MOT and running-cost analysis at the lowest price, CarCostCheck at £4.99 is the value option. Both are legitimate; the difference is brand and guarantee versus price and extra free data.
Check any UK car free in 10 seconds
Free MOT history, mileage verification and running costs from official DVSA and DVLA data. Full history check (stolen, finance, write-off) for £4.99 if you need it. No signup, no subscription.