Last updated 1 November 2026.
The short answer
On price for one car there is nothing between them: £14.99 each on 26 October 2026. Both list the core records buyers need: outstanding finance, write-offs, stolen status and mileage. If you are checking several cars, the AA's five for £6 each is the clearer deal. The RAC's Multi Check is £29.97, and its page doesn't say how many cars that covers. If you want to spend less, there is a third option below.
AA vs RAC at a glance
| The AA | RAC Full Check | |
|---|---|---|
| One full check | £14.99 | £14.99 |
| Several cars | 5 cars at £6 each | Multi Check £29.97 (number of cars not stated on the page) |
| Outstanding finance | Yes | Yes |
| Write-off and stolen | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage | Flags inconsistent mileage | Flags mileage discrepancies, and lists MOT history |
| Plate changes | Number plate transfers | Full plate-change history |
| Previous owners | Number of previous owners | Number of previous owners |
| Imported or exported | Not listed on their page (19 Oct 2026) | Yes |
| Scrapped | Yes | Yes |
| Data guarantee | Up to £30,000 | Up to £30,000 on qualifying claims |
| Extras | Specification and vehicle data | Breakdown data, ownership cost and fuel estimates, RAC shop vouchers |
| Cheaper basic check | Not listed on their page (19 Oct 2026) | Basic Check £9.98: stolen, write-off, import/export and outstanding debt, basic details only |
Sources, checked 26 October 2026: the AA vehicle check and RAC car data check. We list what each page names. A feature not named on a page may still be in the report, so check before you buy.
Where each one wins
The AA
The clearest multi-car price: five checks at £6 each, £30 in total. The AA's page says its checks are provided by HPI Limited. It promises a refund of financial loss up to £30,000 if vital information is missed from the report. The page also says checks don't show insurance claims, repairs or incidents.
RAC
A longer list of extras, including breakdown data, running-cost estimates and shop vouchers. The guarantee is described as up to £30,000 on qualifying claims, with terms and conditions. Like the AA, the RAC says its check is powered by HPI data. Its Basic Check at £9.98 leaves out the finance details, mileage checks and guarantee, so for a private purchase the Full Check is the one to compare.
A third option: Car Control
We make this site, so read this with that in mind. Car Control Premium is £6.99 for one car, including VAT, and covers outstanding finance, insurance write-off category, stolen, scrapped, import and export, plate and keeper changes, valuation and factory specification, plus a full mileage and MOT analysis. Three Premium reports are £12.99. You get a free preview first, with no account and no subscription, and the report link lasts 30 days.
The trade-off is that we don't offer a data guarantee. Both the AA and the RAC do. If you are buying an expensive car and want that cover, either of them may be worth the extra £8. For an everyday used car, the records alone may be enough. And if you only need a Cat S/N or finance check on a few cars, MyCarCheck's 3 for £12.49 is a little less than our 3 for £12.99, and there are other low-cost options. The car check prices page compares the providers.
Which should you choose?
- You want a guarantee and extras: the AA or the RAC. Pick on the multi-car deal and the extras you will use.
- You are comparing five cars: the AA at £6 each is clear. Cheaper bundles exist elsewhere, but without the same guarantee.
- You want a low price for one car and no guarantee: Car Control Premium at £6.99, or DealerPricing at £3.99 for a basic full check. Neither includes a data guarantee.
Whichever you pick, a check is not a substitute for seeing the V5C logbook and test driving the car. See also our HPI Check alternatives and the guide to HPI checks. The AA and RAC names belong to their owners, and Car Control isn't affiliated with either.