HPI vs CarVertical: Which Is Better for UK Buyers?
A car history check shows finance, write-offs, theft and mileage issues before you buy.
HPI and CarVertical are both popular, but they are not solving the same problem.
Most buyers do not realise this. The difference only becomes clear once you know what to look for.
Here is the simple way to think about it:
If the car may have history outside the UK, CarVertical is worth considering. If it does not, HPI usually makes more sense.
Most UK cars do not have foreign history.
Quick verdict
- HPI: well-known name. Covers the basics. £19.99.
- CarVertical: best for imports or foreign history. £33.99.
- Carpeep: one report for £15. Everything included. No guesswork. No tiers.
Run a full car history check for £15 →
What HPI Is Best For
HPI is the name most people know. In the UK it is almost synonymous with a car history check.
They were first. That built trust. Being first does not mean the layout or price is still the best fit for everyone.
A Full check is £19.99. It uses DVLA, police, finance and insurance write-off data. Dealers, lenders and insurers know the brand.
The report itself is a dated layout next to newer options. If you only care about the key UK checks, you can pay less elsewhere.
What CarVertical Is Best For
You have probably seen the YouTube ads. CarVertical has spent heavily on advertising.
It is strongest when international history matters. It works best for imported cars or cars that may have been registered or damaged abroad.
The headline price is £33.99 per report. After that you usually get a discount pop-up. That is not the same as a simple list price.
For a UK-only car, £33.99 is expensive for data you often do not need.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HPI | CarVertical | Carpeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance (UK) | Yes | Yes, less UK-focused | Yes |
| Write-offs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Imports | UK | Strong | UK |
| Abroad | No | Yes | No |
| Report | Legacy layout | Visual | Visual |
| Price | £19.99 | £33.99 | £15 |
| Overall verdict | Well-known, dated layout | Best for imports | Best choice for most UK buyers |
Why Most UK Buyers Choose Carpeep
Carpeep gives you finance, theft, write-offs, mileage and ownership history in one report for £15.
No tiers. No pricing tricks. You are not funding a heavy ad budget.
You get everything that matters, in one clear report.
That is £15 versus £19.99 for HPI Full and £33.99 for CarVertical.
Run the check before you commit. If something is wrong, you find out before you pay.
See pricing, view a sample report, compare with our HPI alternative page, or see our dedicated CarVertical alternative page.
Which Service Should You Choose?
A car history check should flag finance, write-offs, theft, mileage issues and ownership.
All three cover the basics. The real difference is price, focus and how clearly the report gets to the point.
- HPI if you want the well-known name. £19.99.
- CarVertical if the car may have foreign history. £33.99.
- Carpeep if you want everything in one clear report. £15.
If you think the car may have had history outside the UK, use CarVertical.
If you do not suspect that, HPI makes more sense than CarVertical.
For everything in one clear report, use Carpeep.
For most UK buyers, Carpeep is the clear choice.
If you want a clear, modern report without the £33.99 price or the older HPI layout, use Carpeep.
For more comparisons, see our compare hub.
For a free starting point, use our MOT history check.
For finance, theft and write-offs, you still need a full check.
What Actually Matters Before You Buy
Three things matter: finance, write-offs, mileage.
If any of those are missing, the check is not doing its job.
Paying more does not mean a better check.
It especially does not help if the money goes on ads, discount tricks or data you will not use.
Cars sell fast. Check first, then decide.
Get a Full Car History Check
No signup • £30k data guarantee
Before you pay for a used car, check finance, write-offs, theft and mileage in one clear report.
- Outstanding finance and agreement type, so you don’t accidentally buy a car the lender still owns
- Write-off categories and serious damage history that can affect safety and resale value
- Police theft records and scrapped status checks
- MOT history and mileage analysis to highlight potential clocking or long gaps off the road
Frequently asked questions
Is HPI or CarVertical better for UK cars?
HPI is the better-known name.
CarVertical is stronger when a car may have foreign history.
Carpeep is the clearer choice for most UK buyers who want all key checks at one price.
Does CarVertical work for UK cars?
Yes. It covers UK cars for finance, write-offs and mileage.
It is stronger for imports or foreign damage history.
The standard list price is £33.99, and a discount pop-up often follows.
What is the main difference between HPI and Carpeep?
HPI Full is £19.99 and Carpeep is £15.
HPI is the big legacy name, but Carpeep gives you the key UK checks in one clear report at one fixed price.
Which check includes finance and write-off for one price?
Carpeep at £15. HPI Full is £19.99. CarVertical lists at £33.99, then usually shows a discount pop-up.
Is Carpeep as reliable as HPI for a UK car check?
Carpeep focuses on the key UK checks a buyer needs, including finance, write-offs and mileage, using DVLA and related sources.
The difference is that Carpeep presents them in a clearer report at a fixed price.
Can I use a free MOT history check instead?
Our free MOT history check is a good starting point. It shows mileage and past test results.
It does not show finance, theft or write-offs. Add a full check before you buy.