Last updated 1 November 2026.
Why people look for HPI Check alternatives
Mostly price. "HPI check" has become the everyday name for a car history check, so many buyers go straight to HPI Check without comparing. Its full check was £19.99 on 26 October 2026. If you are looking at two or three cars, that adds up quickly. Other providers check for outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and stolen records too, and some charge less than half as much. Our guide to HPI checks explains what the name means.
What to look for in an alternative
- Outstanding finance, write-off and stolen records. These are the three that matter most when buying privately. They aren't public, so only a paid check shows them. See the finance check and write-off check guides.
- Mileage. Some checks flag mileage that doesn't add up. Ask whether it is based on MOT readings.
- A data guarantee. Most of the bigger names promise to cover a financial loss, usually up to £30,000, if their check was wrong. Cheaper options often don't. Read the terms: guarantees have conditions.
- Price for several cars. If you are comparing cars, the multi-car price matters more than the single price.
- What the cheap tier leaves out. Basic checks at most providers skip the finance check or the guarantee.
The options compared
Prices are for one full check with finance, write-off and stolen records, taken from each provider's website. Our car check prices page has the full table with sources. We last checked the figures below on 26 October 2026.
| Provider | One full check | Several cars | Data guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| DealerPricing | £3.99 | Not compared | None mentioned on their site |
| CarCostCheck | £4.99 | Not compared | States it does not offer the £30,000 guarantee |
| Car Control Premium | £6.99 | 3 for £12.99 | None |
| MyCarCheck Comprehensive | £8.49 | 2 for £9.99, 3 for £12.49, 5 for £19.99 | None mentioned on their site |
| Total Car Check Gold | £9.99 | 3 for £14.99, 5 for £19.99 | £30,000 |
| Motorcheck | £9.99 | 3 for £14.99, 5 for £19.99 | Up to £30,000 (non-trade users) |
| The AA | £14.99 | 5 cars at £6 each | Up to £30,000 |
| RAC Full Check | £14.99 | Multi Check £29.97 | £30,000 on qualifying claims |
| HPI Check (for reference) | £19.99 | 3 for £29.99 | Up to £30,000 |
Sources, all checked 26 October 2026: DealerPricing, CarCostCheck, MyCarCheck, Total Car Check, Motorcheck prices and guarantee, the AA, RAC, HPI Check. Prices change often and some providers run offers. HPI and HPI Check are trade marks of HPI Ltd. Car Control isn't affiliated with HPI Ltd or any provider named here.
Each option in a few lines
Car Control
That's us, so weigh this one with care. Premium is £6.99, 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 MOT and mileage analysis. Basic is £3.99 and has the MOT and mileage analysis, valuation and factory specification, but not the finance, write-off and stolen checks. There is a free preview first, no account and no subscription. The report opens straight away and the link lasts 30 days. We don't offer a data guarantee. Our data comes from the DVSA MOT History API and CheckCarDetails Ltd.
DealerPricing
A vehicle history check is £3.99 one-off. Its site says it covers outstanding finance, write-off and stolen records, and that DealerPricing is not VAT registered. We found no data guarantee mentioned. For a single full check it is £3.00 cheaper than Car Control Premium.
CarCostCheck
A full history check is £4.99 and covers outstanding finance, write-off and stolen records. Its site says it does not offer the £30,000 guarantee.
MyCarCheck
Comprehensive is £8.49 and, on its site, covers outstanding finance, write-off, stolen and export checks. Its multi-car bundles are 3 for £12.49 and 5 for £19.99, against our 3 Premium reports for £12.99. Its site doesn't mention a data guarantee.
Total Car Check
Gold is £9.99 and lists outstanding finance, write-off, salvage history, valuation and a £30,000 guarantee. Three checks are £14.99 and five are £19.99.
Motorcheck
£9.99 for one check, £14.99 for three, £19.99 for five. The single check lists finance, mileage, write-off, scrapped, stolen, keeper and plate changes, MOT history, valuation and more. Its homepage says the full check comes with a data guarantee up to £30,000 for non-trade users.
The AA
£14.99, or five checks at £6 each. It lists finance, stolen, write-off, mileage, number of previous owners, plate transfers and scrappage. The AA page says its checks are provided by HPI Limited, and it promises to refund a financial loss up to £30,000 if vital information is missed from the report.
RAC
Full Check is £14.99. It lists finance, write-off, stolen, mileage discrepancies, plate-change history, imports and exports, and MOT history, with a guarantee of up to £30,000 on qualifying claims. It also includes RAC shop vouchers. The cheaper RAC Basic Check, £9.98, leaves out the guarantee and the mileage and finance details.
Who should pick which
- One everyday used car, low price, no guarantee: DealerPricing at £3.99 was the lowest single price we found, then CarCostCheck at £4.99 and Car Control Premium at £6.99. Car Control adds a full mileage and MOT analysis, valuation and specification.
- Three to five cars: MyCarCheck is £12.49 for three and £19.99 for five. Car Control's 3 Premium reports are £12.99 (about £4.33 each).
- A pricier car, where you want a guarantee: Total Car Check Gold and Motorcheck (both £9.99), the AA, the RAC and HPI Check include a guarantee of up to £30,000. We don't, so for a big purchase one of these may be worth the extra.
- Any car at all: a check doesn't replace a look at the V5C logbook, a test drive and, ideally, an inspection by a mechanic.
We aren't neutral, because Car Control is one of the options. That is why every figure above links to the provider's own site.