Comparison

Choosing a UK Car History Check: What to Compare

There is no single answer that suits every car. This page sets out what a history check should cover and lays the main providers side by side on price and guarantee, as each publishes them.

Published · Rival details checked 25 Oct 2026

Check a registration free

Enter a UK registration for the standard check, then add the Full Vehicle Check if you need it.

GB

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Side by side

Rival entries are what each provider says on its own public pages, checked 25 Oct 2026. Numbers in brackets link to the source. Prices and features change, so confirm on the provider's site before you buy.

MotorFile
Published priceFull Vehicle Check £9.99 per vehicle.
Data guaranteeNone offered.
Free optionStandard check free (DVLA and DVSA data).
HPI Check
Published priceFull £19.99, Basic £9.99, three full checks £29.99.[1]
Data guaranteeUp to £30,000 on the full check, not Basic.[1]
Free optionFree MOT History Check listed.[1]
Experian AutoCheck
Published price£7.99 single, up to 5 vehicles £16.99.[2]
Data guaranteeUp to £30,000 for two years, with conditions.[3]
Free optionNone stated on the page read.[2]
Total Car Check
Published pricePage headline advertises from £1.99; Silver single check £3.99. Confirm live. Other tiers on its prices page.[4]
Data guarantee£30,000 on the Gold check.[4]
Free optionFree VIN check service listed.[4]
carVertical
Published priceSingle report £39.99; £25.99 each for 2; £20.99 each for 3.[5]
Data guaranteeNo data guarantee stated; packages are labelled "Report return guarantee" (return policy).[5][6]
Free optionStates reports are not free.[5]

What a good check should cover

At minimum: insurance write-off record, police stolen marker, outstanding finance, and a mileage check. Add plate-change history and the full MOT history. A check that returns nothing for a source should say so rather than show a clean result.

MotorFile's standard check is free and covers vehicle details, MOT status and history, tax status and a mileage chart from DVLA and DVSA records. The Full Vehicle Check adds the write-off, stolen, finance and mileage register checks, previous plates and the full VIN.

Price versus guarantee

Several providers publish a £30,000 data guarantee on their top tier; MotorFile does not offer one. If written cover matters to you, compare the terms and what you must do to activate it. If you want a free first look before paying anything, the MotorFile standard check is free and needs no account.

A clean report is not a guarantee of a car's condition. Whichever you choose, inspect the car, check the V5C and the MOT history, and read the report for anything marked as not checked.

Head-to-head pages

For a detailed row-by-row comparison, see MotorFile against HPI Check, carVertical, Experian AutoCheck or Total Car Check using the links below.

Frequently asked questions

Which UK car history check is best?

It depends on the car and what matters to you: price, the checks included, or a written data guarantee. Compare the published details side by side before you buy.

Is there a free UK car history check?

MotorFile's standard check is free: vehicle details, MOT status and history, tax status and a mileage chart. Write-off, stolen and finance checks are part of the paid Full Vehicle Check.

Does a history check guarantee a car is sound?

No. A check reports what databases hold at the time. It does not replace inspecting the car and checking the paperwork.

Does MotorFile have a data guarantee?

No. MotorFile does not offer a data guarantee or cover.

Sources (checked 25 Oct 2026)

  1. [1]HPI Check: home page www.home.hpicheck.com/
  2. [2]Experian AutoCheck: home page www.autocheck.co.uk/
  3. [3]Experian AutoCheck: FAQ (Data Guarantee) www.autocheck.co.uk/faq
  4. [4]Total Car Check: home page www.totalcarcheck.co.uk/
  5. [5]carVertical UK: pricing page www.carvertical.com/gb/pricing
  6. [6]carVertical UK: report return policy www.carvertical.com/gb/refund-policy

MotorFile is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any provider named on this page. Product names belong to their owners and are used only to identify them. General information only; this is not a recommendation to buy or not to buy any product.

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