Expert-Recommended: 6 Best UK Car Check Services

*Collaborative Post

Buying a used car can feel like playing Russian roulette with your bank account. One minute you’re admiring that pristine BMW on the forecourt, the next you’re discovering it’s been written off twice & has more previous owners than a Premier League football club. That’s where car check services come into play — your digital detective helping you separate the genuine gems from the automotive lemons.

After helping others avoid costly mistakes, I’ve done some research on almost every car check service available. Some are brilliant, others… well, let’s just say they’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Here’s a rundown of the six services that actually deliver the goods.

Motorscan

Right, let’s start with the cream of the crop. Motorscan consistently delivers the most comprehensive reports I’ve encountered, and trust me, I’ve seen them all. Their database pulls information from DVLA, MIAFTR, insurance companies & finance houses — basically every source that matters when you’re trying to work out if that ‘bargain’ Audi is actually stolen.

What sets Motorscan apart isn’t just the breadth of data (though it’s impressive), it’s how they present it. The reports are clean, easy to understand & don’t require a degree in automotive forensics to decipher. I particularly appreciate their colour-coded system — green means go, red means run for the hills, amber means proceed with caution. Simple.

The write-off categories are explained clearly, which is crucial because there’s a world of difference between a Cat N (minor damage) & a Cat B (break for parts only). Motorscan also includes photographs of any accident damage where available, which can be incredibly revealing. I once spotted a car that had been completely submerged in flood water — something the seller had conveniently forgotten to mention.

Pricing is reasonable too, especially considering the quality of information. Reports typically cost between £2.99 & £9.99 depending on the level of detail you need. For peace of mind when spending thousands, it’s hardly breaking the bank.

HPI Check

HPI has been around since the 1930s, making them practically ancient in tech terms. Sometimes that experience shows in positive ways — their database is extensive & they’ve got relationships with virtually every major insurer & finance company. Other times, it feels like they’re stuck in the past.

The reports are thorough, covering all the essentials: outstanding finance, theft records, write-off history, mileage discrepancies, etc. Their mileage checks are particularly robust, often catching clocking that other services miss. However, the interface feels clunky compared to newer competitors. It’s functional but not exactly user-friendly.

Where HPI really shines is their guarantee scheme. If they miss something significant that later costs you money, they’ll compensate you up to £30,000. That’s a substantial safety net, though I’d rather they didn’t miss anything in the first place! Prices range from £9.99 to £19.99, which puts them at the premium end of the market.

AA Car Check

The AA’s car check service piggybacks on their reputation for roadside assistance, and it’s a solid offering. Not groundbreaking, but reliable — much like their breakdown cover, really. The reports cover the standard bases: finance, theft, write-offs & mileage verification.

What I like about AA’s approach is their straightforward presentation. No fancy graphics or overwhelming data dumps — just the facts presented clearly. The mileage analysis is particularly good, showing you a timeline of MOT readings that makes it easy to spot any suspicious jumps or decreases.

The main drawback is limited additional information compared to premium services. You won’t get detailed accident photos or extensive historical data. But for a quick check on a car that seems legitimate, it does the job perfectly well. Pricing is competitive at around £4.99 per report, making it good value for money.

RAC Vehicle Check

RAC’s vehicle check service is another solid performer, though it rarely excels in any particular area. Think of it as the dependable workhorse of car checks — not flashy, but gets the job done without fuss.

The reports include all the standard checks plus some useful extras like CO2 emissions data & fuel economy figures. This might seem trivial, but it’s handy for calculating running costs or checking if the car meets ULEZ requirements. The theft check is comprehensive, covering both DVLA & police databases.

However, their write-off data can sometimes be slower to update compared to other services. Not a deal-breaker, but worth keeping in mind if you’re checking a recently damaged vehicle. The interface is clean & modern, making it easy to navigate through the information. Reports cost around £6.99, positioning them in the middle of the market.

MyCarCheck

MyCarCheck positions itself as the budget-friendly option, and to be fair, they deliver reasonable value for money. Their basic reports cover the essentials — finance, theft, write-offs & mileage — at bargain prices starting from just £1.99.

The interface is surprisingly modern considering the low prices, and the reports are presented clearly. However, the data isn’t always as comprehensive as premium services. Some people have encountered situations where MyCarCheck showed a clean history while other services flagged issues. It’s not necessarily wrong, but their sources might be more limited.

For quick checks on obviously legitimate vehicles, MyCarCheck can be perfectly adequate. But if you’re dealing with a high-value car or something that seems too good to be true, I’d recommend investing in a more comprehensive service. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

CarVeto

CarVeto rounds out our list as a decent mid-range option. They offer standard vehicle checks with some interesting additional features, including a stolen vehicle tracker & the ability to check multiple vehicles at discounted rates.

The reports are well-structured & include detailed explanations of what each check means. This educational approach is helpful for first-time buyers who might not understand the significance of different write-off categories or finance markers. The mileage verification is solid, though not as detailed as some competitors.

One unique feature is their ongoing monitoring service — they’ll alert you if new information appears about your vehicle after purchase. It’s a nice touch that adds value beyond the initial check. Pricing is reasonable at around £5.99 per report, though bulk discounts are available for dealers or frequent users.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the thing about car checks — they’re like insurance. You hope you’ll never need the protection they offer, but when you do, you’ll be grateful you invested in quality. I’ve seen too many people save a few pounds on a cheap check only to discover expensive problems later.

Motorscan consistently delivers the most comprehensive & reliable information, making it my go-to recommendation for anyone serious about avoiding costly mistakes. But honestly, any check is better than no check at all. Even the budget options can catch major red flags that could save you thousands.

The key is matching the service to your needs & budget. Buying a £2,000 runabout? A basic check might suffice. Investing in a £20,000 executive saloon? Spring for the premium service. Your wallet will thank you later.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.