Is CarCostCheck Legit? Everything Worth Knowing
Short answer: yes. CarCostCheck is an ICO-registered UK service (registration ZC104940) that had delivered over 3,800 paid reports by October 2026, using official DVLA and DVSA data and Experian's vehicle history database, with payment handled by Stripe. Below is the full, honest picture, including what a £4.99 check does not cover.
Last reviewed October 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 records, Experian's 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). As of October 2026 it has delivered over 3,800 paid vehicle reports and free reports on more than 10,000 different UK vehicles. Free data comes directly from the DVSA and DVLA; paid provenance data (stolen, finance, write-off) comes from Experian AutoCheck, one of the UK's main vehicle history databases. 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 other car checks? What's the catch?
There is no catch, but there are two honest trade-offs. CarCostCheck charges £4.99 for the stolen, outstanding finance and write-off checks because it runs on modern low-overhead infrastructure. It is a one-off payment with no subscription. The trade-offs: CarCostCheck does not include a £30,000 data guarantee, which some £14.99 to £19.99 checks do, and the valuation is a separate £2.99. For most private used-car buyers, the stolen, finance and write-off checks are what matter.
Is CarCostCheck a scam site that takes your money and sends nothing?
No. Reports are generated instantly on screen after payment, plus an emailed link to the report that does not expire. 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 brings together Police National Computer stolen records, Experian's register of finance agreements (outstanding PCP, HP and loans, as registered by lenders) and MIAFTR (the insurance industry write-off register).
Is the data the same as other car history checks?
Not always. A full history check covers stolen, outstanding finance and insurance write-off, but providers do not all use the same registers. CarCostCheck's stolen records come from the Police National Computer, write-offs from MIAFTR and finance from Experian's register; other providers may use a different finance register. CarCostCheck also shows the date of each recorded keeper change and adds a free reliability score and a running-cost estimate with predicted repairs.
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. You don't need to create an account, and there is 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 your report fails to generate, shows the wrong car or has a fault, contact hello@carcostcheck.co.uk and the payment is refunded via Stripe. Because reports are delivered instantly and incur third-party data costs, a correct report can't be refunded for a change of mind. This does not affect your statutory rights.
What does CarCostCheck do with my data?
The registration plate you search is used to generate the report, and searches are logged with an approximate location so we can run the service and fix problems. If you buy a report, your email is used to deliver it and to send occasional reminders about that car, such as its MOT and tax dates, which you can unsubscribe from at any time. CarCostCheck is ICO-registered (ZC104940) and does not sell personal data. 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 a £30,000 data guarantee. It cannot show European history for imported cars (carVertical covers that for £39.99). 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 the AA instead?
If you want a £30,000 data guarantee, the AA and the RAC include one with their £14.99 checks, and that is a fair reason to pay more. If you want the stolen, finance and write-off checks plus a free reliability score and running-cost analysis, CarCostCheck at £4.99 is the value option. Both are legitimate; the difference is the 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.