Comparison

Total Car Check vs MotorFile: What Each Includes

Total Car Check publishes a low entry price and a guarantee on its Gold check. MotorFile has a free standard check and one Full Vehicle Check price. This is each side as published.

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.

Price
MotorFileStandard check free (no account). Full Vehicle Check £9.99 per vehicle.
Total Car CheckDescribes the Silver check as its lowest-cost option, based on a single check at £3.99. The Gold price is on its prices page. The page shows other headline figures too, so confirm the price live.[1]
Free option
MotorFileYes. The standard check is free: DVLA vehicle details, MOT status and full MOT history from DVSA records, tax status and a mileage chart. No account needed.
Total Car CheckOffers a separate free VIN check service.[1]
Stolen
MotorFileFull Vehicle Check: police stolen marker.
Total Car CheckLists a stolen check (police and insurance).[1]
Write-off
MotorFileFull Vehicle Check: insurance write-off record with category, loss date and insurer.
Total Car CheckLists a written-off vehicle check.[1]
Outstanding finance
MotorFileFull Vehicle Check: outstanding finance with lender, agreement type, start date and term where an agreement is on record.
Total Car CheckLists an outstanding finance check.[1]
Mileage and MOT
MotorFileStandard check: mileage chart from MOT tests. Full Vehicle Check: industry mileage register records.
Total Car CheckLists MOT history records. It says 50+ checks are performed.[1]
Plate changes
MotorFileFull Vehicle Check: previous registration plates with transfer dates, and the full 17-character VIN.
Total Car CheckLists all plate changes.[1]
Data guarantee
MotorFileNo. MotorFile does not offer a data guarantee or cover. A report shows what the source databases hold at the time of the check, and anything not returned is shown as "Not checked".
Total Car CheckStates that the Gold check comes with a £30,000 data guarantee. The page does not say whether other tiers include it.[1]

Where they differ

Total Car Check advertises a lower entry price than MotorFile's Full Vehicle Check, and a data guarantee on its Gold tier. MotorFile does not offer a guarantee. MotorFile's standard check is free and needs no account, which suits a first look before you pay for anything.

Tiers matter when you compare: read which checks sit in which tier before you buy, because the headline price may not be the tier that includes everything you want.

Frequently asked questions

Is MotorFile the same as Total Car Check?

No. They are separate products from different companies.

Is Total Car Check cheaper than MotorFile?

Its published entry price is lower than MotorFile's Full Vehicle Check, but tiers differ in what they include. Compare the tier that matches the checks you want.

Does MotorFile have a £30,000 guarantee?

No. MotorFile does not offer a data guarantee. Total Car Check states a £30,000 data guarantee on its Gold check.

Does MotorFile have a data guarantee?

No. MotorFile does not offer a data guarantee or cover. If a guarantee matters to you, compare the terms each provider publishes before you buy.

Sources (checked 25 Oct 2026)

  1. [1]Total Car Check: home page (checks, prices, guarantee) www.totalcarcheck.co.uk/

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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