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The Top 10 Best Car History Checks in the UK (2026 Review)

Buying a used car without a full history check exposes you to financial risk.

Outstanding finance.
Insurance write-offs.
Stolen markers.
Mileage discrepancies.

The providers below are compared on price, coverage, clarity, and real-world usefulness.

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1. Carpeep

Website: https://carpeep.co.uk

Price: £15 for a full report (all critical checks included).

Key Features: Clear prioritisation of finance, write-offs, theft and mileage risks; modern structured layout; £30,000 data guarantee; no tiered upsells hiding essential checks.

Pros:

• Immediate visibility of serious financial and structural risks
• Clean, easy-to-read report design
• No confusing mid-tier reports
• Strong balance of clarity and coverage

Cons:

• Less emphasis on niche secondary data fields
• Newer brand compared to HPI

Verdict: Carpeep stands out for clarity and decision speed. Rather than overwhelming buyers with raw data, it prioritises the issues that actually cost money. For anyone who wants a clear, confident answer before paying for a car, it is the strongest overall option in 2026. See the sample report.

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2. HPI Check

Website: https://www.hpi.co.uk

Price: £9.99 (Basic), £19.99 (Full).

Key Features: Long-standing market leader; strong brand recognition; £30,000 data guarantee.

Pros:

• Highly recognised name
• Strong institutional data partnerships
• Comprehensive finance and write-off checks

Cons:

• Premium pricing
• Traditional, information-heavy layout
• Less modern presentation

Verdict: The established benchmark in the industry. Reliable and trusted, but often priced at a premium compared to newer competitors offering similar core data.

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3. Total Car Check

Website: https://www.totalcarcheck.co.uk

Price: From £1.99 (Basic) to £9.99 (Gold Check).

Key Features: Competitive pricing; multiple award wins; £30,000 guarantee on Gold tier.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Strong bundle pricing
• Good customer reviews

Cons:

• Cheapest tier lacks essential finance/write-off protection
• Reports can feel dense

Verdict: Excellent value — but only if you choose the correct tier. The Gold Check is the only fully protective option.

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4. CarAnalytics

Website: https://www.caranalytics.co.uk

Price: Around £9.95 for a full report.

Key Features: Checks over 80 data points; comprehensive breakdown.

Pros:

• Detailed reporting
• Competitive pricing
• Broad coverage

Cons:

• Less prioritised presentation
• Interpretation required

Verdict: A solid, no-frills competitor delivering strong data depth at a sensible price.

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5. Full Car Checks

Website: https://fullcarchecks.co.uk

Price: Free basic check; £9.99 for a full report.

Key Features: Free preview; £30,000 Experian-backed data guarantee.

Pros:

• Strong free entry-level option
• Reasonable pricing
• Positive user feedback

Cons:

• Mid-tier options lack full protection
• Must choose full report for finance data

Verdict: A good starting point with a strong free preview. Just ensure you select the fully protective option.

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6. The AA / RAC Vehicle History Check

AA Website: https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-data-check

RAC Website: https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-history-check

Price: Around £14.99.

Key Features: Backed by major motoring organisations; often powered by third-party data providers.

Pros:

• High consumer trust
• Brand familiarity
• Often bundled with member benefits

Cons:

• Higher pricing relative to similar underlying data
• Limited differentiation in presentation

Verdict: A safe, brand-led option. Best suited to buyers already within their ecosystem.

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7. MyCarCheck

Website: https://www.mycarcheck.com

Price: Around £8.49, with multi-check bundles available.

Key Features: Powered by insurance-sector data provider CDL; optional monitoring features.

Pros:

• Strong data background
• Good value bundles
• Broad coverage

Cons:

• Reports require interpretation
• Less refined UX

Verdict: A reliable and feature-rich service, particularly attractive for those comparing multiple vehicles.

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8. AutoTrader Vehicle Check

Website: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/vehicle-check

Price: Around £4.95.

Key Features: Powered by Experian; integrated into the AutoTrader marketplace.

Pros:

• Very cheap
• Convenient if browsing on AutoTrader
• Often free when reserving a vehicle

Cons:

• Free ad preview is extremely limited
• Less comprehensive than specialist providers

Verdict: A convenient add-on, but not necessarily as exhaustive as dedicated vehicle history services.

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9. Carwow Car Check

Website: https://www.carwow.co.uk/car-check

Price: From around £8.50.

Key Features: Partnership with MotorCheck; integrated into Carwow's buying platform.

Pros:

• Trusted marketplace integration
• Solid underlying data

Cons:

• Better suited as an add-on
• Limited standalone differentiation

Verdict: Useful if already using Carwow, but not a category leader on its own.

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10. GOV.UK MOT History Check

Website: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Price: Free.

Key Features: Official DVSA MOT data; mileage and advisory history.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Official and accurate for MOT data
• Essential for checking mileage consistency

Cons:

• Zero finance data
• No theft or write-off information
• Not a full vehicle history check

Verdict: An essential companion tool — but never a replacement for a paid check. It confirms MOT history only and provides no financial protection.

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Final Conclusion

Most major providers access similar core databases for finance, write-offs and theft records.

The difference lies in:

• How clearly risks are presented
• How much filtering the buyer must do
• Whether critical checks are included in the base price

If clarity and immediate risk visibility matter most, Carpeep currently sets the strongest overall standard in 2026.

Whichever provider you choose, never rely solely on a free check. A full vehicle history report is one of the lowest-cost safeguards when buying a used car.