What is an HPI check, and why does it matter

An HPI check is a vehicle history report that reveals if a used car has any hidden problems that could cost you money or put you at risk. It goes beyond a free DVLA check by pulling finance, insurance and police records from trusted data sources. A full HPI-style report helps you avoid cars that:

  • Have outstanding finance still owed to a lender
  • Are listed as stolen on the Police National Computer (PNC)
  • Are insurance write-offs due to accident or structural damage
  • Show mileage discrepancies that may indicate clocking
  • Have number plate or colour changes linked to fraud

Why choose a cheaper HPI check alternative?

A full HPI check can be expensive, especially if you’re comparing more than one car. Many UK buyers look for a cheaper HPI check alternative to access the same essential vehicle history data without paying premium prices.

With CarAnalytics, you get:

  • The same critical checks – finance, write-off, stolen, mileage & more
  • Transparent pricing – no hidden fees or forced subscriptions
  • Free basic car history – tax, MOT status and DVLA vehicle details
  • Instant online reports in less than 10 seconds
  • Optional add-ons like OEM service history and valuations
  • Discount bundles – perfect if you’re checking multiple cars

Our reports are designed for smart used-car buyers, dealers, and anyone who wants maximum data at minimal cost.

A complete vehicle history report from CarAnalytics® covers every key data point that matters when buying a used car. Unlike some providers, we never hide data behind extra upsells. You see clear results upfront to avoid nasty surprises later.

Can you get a free HPI check?

HPI does not provide free reports. Accessing a full vehicle history data that includes finance, write-off, or stolen records, requires paid industry sources.

However, CarAnalytics® offers a free vehicle check that includes valuable details such as tax & MOT status, Mileage, MOT history with advisories, vehicle registration data, and technical specifications, emissions and more that HPI charges for.

This free check helps you learn more about a vehicle before you buy, and can upgrade anytime to unlock full history data.

No subscriptions. No hidden fees. Instant results.

CarAnalytics vs HPI – what’s the difference?

Both HPI and CarAnalytics provide essential vehicle history checks, but customers choose CarAnalytics because it offers more data for less money. We use trusted UK data sources such as DVLA, DVSA, Police National Computer (PNC), SMMT and MIAFTR to deliver accurate and verified reports.

When it comes to price and value, CarAnalytics is the smarter choice:

  • Same core checks as HPI
  • More optional insights (like ex-taxi use, salvage data & OEM service history add-ons)
  • No subscriptions or hidden fees
  • Massive savings when checking multiple vehicles

Compare HPI and CarAnalytics side by side:

Data Check CarAnalytics® £10.99 HPI Check £19.99
Vehicle Tax & MOT History
Vehicle Specifications
Performance & Dimensions (Basic Report)
Fuel Economy
EuroNCAP Safety Ratings (Basic Report)
Engine Data (Basic Report)
Colour Change History
Ex-Taxi Check
Salvage History Check
Running Costs
Outstanding Finance
Mileage Issues
An Insurance Write-Off
Write-Off Details (Cat A/B/S/N)
Stolen/Theft Check
Scrapped Vehicle Record
VIN Check
Full Plate-Change History
V5C Logbook Check
Number of Previous Owners
Imported / Exported Status
Car Valuation
Data Guarantee £10,000 £30,000
Retail Vehicle Market Intel1
Service History Check (OEM)2
Previously Seen Adverts3
Previous Searches4
Multi-Check Discount5 From £4.99 From £9.99

*Prices and data above, as of 23rd Oct 2025. E&OE

  1. OEM Service History – Verified maintenance records sourced directly from authorised dealer networks.
  2. Retail Market Intel – Provides live market listings, pricing trends, and demand insights.
  3. Previously Seen Adverts – Shows past online adverts and mileage changes for the same vehicle.
  4. Previous Searches – Highlights buyer interest and previous lookup activity for that registration.
*These are optional add-ons and may not appear in all reports

5. Multi-Check Discount – Save more when purchasing multiple full reports, get up to 3 vehicle checks for the cost of one HPI check (19.99)

You can view the full list of our HPI check prices and bundles on our pricing page, starting from £0.99

HPI Check FAQ’s

A vehicle is HPI clear if it has no outstanding finance, hasn’t been reported stolen, written off by an insurer or scrapped by the DVLA. You can confirm this using a full HPI-style car history check. This report checks UK finance databases, insurance write-off records and police data to verify whether a car is truly safe to buy.

The DVLA does not provide full HPI checks. The DVLA only offers basic vehicle information like tax status, MOT history and vehicle details for free. A full history check, including finance, write-off and stolen data, must be done using independent providers like CarAnalytics or HPI Check.

Yes, vehicle history checks are not just for cars. You can get van and bike hpi checks in the UK. The report includes the same key data such as finance, write-off, stolen status and mileage history, making it just as important for motorbike and van buyers.

Yes, you can run a vehicle check using a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or chassis number, but the fastest way is with the registration number (VRM). If the number plate has been changed or cloned, running a VIN check helps verify the vehicle’s true identity and history.

An HPI check doesn’t show personal owner details. It only lists the number of previous owners and ownership change dates recorded by the DVLA.For specific owner information, you can contact the DVLA directly.

UK’s cheapest HPI check alternative

Finance, write-off, stolen, salvage & mileage history from £4.99 per check