Looking for the best vehicle history check to buy your next vehicle? We know how complicated and confusing it can be to search for a reliable company that conducts genuine car history checks since there are tens of services out there.
Here are some comparisons we made to ease your searching process and an overview of what you’re getting into:
5 Best vehicle check services in the UK 2025
1. Caranalytics
- Established: 2018
- Types of Checks: Free Check, Basic Check, Full Check
- Pricing: £1.99 (Basic), £9.95 (Full Check)
2. The Auto Experts
- Established: 2021
- Types of Checks: Free Check, Value Check, Full Check
- Pricing: £2.99 (Valuation), £9.99 (Full Check)
3. HPI Check
- Established: 1938
- Types of Checks: Basic Check, Full Check
- Pricing: £9.99 (Basic), £19.99 (Full Check)
4. Total Car Check
- Established: 2013
- Types of Checks: Free Check, Basic Check, Full Check
- Pricing: £3.99 (Basic), £9.99 (Full Check)
5. Car Check
- Established: 2019
- Types of Checks: Free Check, Basic Check, Full Check
Pricing: £7.49 (Basic), £19.99 (Full Check)
1. caranalytics
Caranalytics prioritizes cost and reliability with three competitively priced packages, including a free, basic car history report and a full report. Access the UK’s most extensive vehicle database with over 80 data points. Trusted by millions, with 4,000+ glowing reviews and multiple awards, as featured in Car Dealer magazine, caranalytics offers peace of mind and savings before buying a car.
- Free Check: MOT history, vehicle age, export details, performance, tax, exported status, and CO2 emissions.
- Basic Check (£1.99): VIN check, Euro status, record of colour and plate changes, keeper history, engine number, import details, VIC inspection, and VRM record before registering with DVLA.
- Full Check (£9.95): Outstanding finance, write-off details, Certificate of Destruction, mileage anomaly, stolen vehicle check, and any disputes related to the car.
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
2. HPI check
Among the most well-known brands for a car history check is the HPI check. Over the years, due to reliability in the market, it has earned its way to becoming a generally known vehicle check service. They offer two levels of services, namely, basic check and full HPI check.
The advantages of numerous checks are also available to you for £29.97 (Redeemed within 2 years).
- Basic Check (£9.99): Details of accidents, outstanding finance, stolen vehicles, write-offs, and import/export status.
- Full HPI Check (£19.99): Details of mileage inconsistencies, MOT history, finance agreement, tax, logbook status, market valuation, plate change record, CO2 emissions, and write-off status.
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
3. The Auto Experts:
UK’s most affordable and trusted car history check providers. There are three different checks with amazing pricing. This also includes 5 price band market valuation starting from just £2.99 per check, also includes single check and multi check.
- Free Check: MOT history, vehicle age, export details, performance, tax, exported status, and CO2 emissions.
- Valuation Check (£2.99 – Dealer’s Special): Auction, trade retail, average condition, poor condition, parts exchange, private sale, OTR price, and dealer’s forecourt value details along with free check details.
- Full Check (£9.99): Outstanding finance, write-off details, Certificate of Destruction, mileage anomaly, stolen vehicle check, and any disputes related to the car.
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
4. Total Car Check
Offering reliable vehicle history reports with three competitively priced packages, ensuring buyers have access to all the necessary details.Their Gold Check comes with a £30,000 data guarantee for added peace of mind.
- Free Check: MOT history, vehicle age, export details, performance, tax status, CO2 emissions, and last-seen adverts.
- Basic Check (£3.99): Written-off status, stolen car check, imported/exported vehicles, scrapped vehicle check, VIN check, plate changes, and previous keepers.
- Full Check (£9.99): Outstanding finance, logbook loans check, salvage history, valuation, write-off status, stolen vehicle check, scrapped vehicle details, VIN check, plate changes, and previous keepers.
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
5. Car Check
CarCheck.co.uk is a UK-based vehicle data website that offers free and premium vehicle history reports. The platform provides information such as MOT history, mileage, damage records, and more.
- Free Check: MOT history, vehicle details, tax status, CO2 emissions, and safety ratings.
- Basic Check (£7.49): Vehicle value, vehicle details, plate changes, and previous keeper history.
- Full Check (£19.99): Finance check, damage history, valuation, stolen vehicle status, mileage history, plate changes, and previous keeper history.
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
Which is the cheapest and the best vehicle check in the UK?
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Free Car Check: Available from Caranalytics, The Auto Experts, Car Check, and Total Car Check (Not available for HPI Check).
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Basic / Value Check:
- £1.99 (Caranalytics)
- £2.99 (The Auto Experts – Car Valuation Check)
- £7.49 (Car Check)
- £3.99 (Total Car Check)
- £9.99 (HPI Check)
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Full Car Check:
- £9.95 (Caranalytics)
- £9.99 (The Auto Experts)
- £19.99 (Car Check & HPI Check)
- £9.99 (Total Car Check)
*Prices and data above mentioned as of 10th January, 2025, E&OE
The above table shows that the Award winner caranalytics offers the cheapest and best vehicle check both in basic & full reports. The used car purchase is tiring, and one needs to invest smartly by running a vehicle check. It is important to understand that the used car you buy is in good condition and doesn`t need the change of different details (such as lift kit for 2004 Toyota Tacoma etc). Because this factor depends on the lifetime of your future car. Also, it is best to seek expert advice rather than relying on the seller’s offered details.
Ensure you buy a used car with peace of mind!
Get your best and budget friendly vehicle history check now!
Advantages of Online vehicle check services:
Online car check services have been experiencing a significant rise in popularity in recent years. These services offer a practical and effective means for individuals to obtain detailed information about a vehicle’s history and condition before buying or selling your vehicle.
Various factors contribute to the rising popularity of online vehicle check services:
- Accessibility: Online vehicle check services are easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Users can access these services either from the convenience of their homes or when traveling, smartphones or other devices.
- Time and cost efficiency: Traditional methods of obtaining vehicle information, such as visiting multiple agencies or conducting physical inspections, can be time-consuming and costly. Online car check services streamline the process by delivering reports quickly and at a fraction of the cost, saving both time and money for buyers.
- Trust and Confidence: Vehicle check services instill trust and confidence in buyers by providing unbiased and reliable information. These services pull data from various sources, including government databases, insurance records, and other trusted sources, assuring the integrity and correctness of the data supplied.
- Online marketplaces and platforms: The rise of online marketplaces and platforms for buying and selling vehicles has also contributed to the popularity of vehicle check services. Many online platforms integrate vehicle check services directly into their platforms, making it convenient for users to access and analyze vehicle history reports while browsing listings. It is also important to check for tyre reviews from trusted online platforms like tire reviews.
Conclusion:
In summary, a complete vehicle check when buying a used car in the UK is crucial for safety, financial protection, legal compliance, verification of ownership, preservation of resale value, and overall peace of mind. It empowers buyers with comprehensive information to make informed decisions and avoid potential risks associated with purchasing a used vehicle.
In addition to vehicle checks, investing in professional car valeting services can help maintain your car’s appearance, protect its interior and exterior from damage, and ultimately contribute to preserving its value and improving resale potential.
Answering your questions
1. Are vehicle checks worth the expense?
Yes, vehicle checks are definitely worth the investment, especially when buying from a private dealer. While a seller’s word might seem trustworthy, you need to verify important details like whether the car has any outstanding finance, is recorded as stolen, has been involved in an accident, or has been exported or imported.
These checks help you avoid costly surprises and ensure you’re making a smart, informed decision.
2. Which car check is the best in the UK?
The best car check to use is caranalytics. Not only it offers the most information but also it is currently the cheapest and affordable car history check in the UK. Which includes outstanding finance, stolen, written-off, plate/color change, mileage history check, high risk.
3. Can I get a free best vehicle check in UK?
Yes, however, many free vehicle check providers offer very limited information, and therefore, a free car check might not tell you whether you should buy the vehicle you are considering. caranalytics provides more information than others, even with a free check.
4. Can I track a vehicle using its number plate?
No, it is not possible with any “vehicle check” service. Therefore, you could contact the DVLA instead.