Buying a used car can feel like playing Russian roulette with your bank account. I’ve been there — standing in a seller’s driveway, trying to figure out if that slight scrape on the bumper is hiding something more sinister. After years of helping mates avoid automotive disasters & making a few costly mistakes myself, I’ve come to realise that a proper car history check isn’t just useful; it’s absolutely essential.

The used car market is packed with vehicles that look pristine on the surface but carry baggage you wouldn’t discover until it’s far too late. That innocent-looking family saloon could be harbouring outstanding finance, accident damage, or even worse — stolen vehicle status. So here’s my rundown of the five best car check services that every UK motorist should know about.

Motorscan

Let’s start with what I genuinely believe is the gold standard: Motorscan. This service has consistently impressed me with its thoroughness & reliability. When I first used it to check a BMW 3 Series I was considering, the report came back with information that the seller had conveniently “forgotten” to mention — including a Category N insurance write-off from two years prior.

What sets Motorscan apart is the sheer depth of their data coverage. They pull information from multiple databases including DVLA, MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud & Theft Register), and various finance houses. The reports include everything you’d expect: outstanding finance, insurance write-off categories, mileage discrepancies, and theft markers. But they go further, providing details about previous keepers, MOT history with advisory notes, and even taxi/fleet usage.

The interface is refreshingly straightforward — no confusing jargon or buried important information. You get instant results most of the time, though occasionally complex cases might take a few minutes longer. At around £4.99 for a basic check, it’s competitively priced, and they offer more comprehensive packages if you need additional features like valuation data or extended warranty options.

I particularly appreciate their customer service. When I had questions about a report showing some unusual finance markers, their support team actually called me back within an hour to explain the situation properly. That’s rare these days.

HPI Check

HPI has been around forever — and I mean that in the best possible way. They’re like the granddad of vehicle history checks, having established their reputation long before the internet made everything instant. Many people still refer to any car check as “doing an HPI,” which shows how embedded they are in UK motoring culture.

Their database is genuinely impressive, covering over 50 million vehicles. The reports are comprehensive, pulling data from police databases, finance companies, and insurance providers. What I find particularly useful is their mileage verification system, which cross-references MOT records, service history, and insurance claims to spot potential clocking.

However, HPI checks come at a premium — typically around £19.99 for a full report. Some might argue that’s steep compared to newer competitors, but you’re paying for decades of data accumulation and industry relationships. The peace of mind can be worth it, especially for higher-value purchases.

One slight gripe: their website can feel a bit clunky compared to more modern alternatives. It gets the job done, but don’t expect the slickest user experience. Also, their basic packages sometimes leave you wanting more detail, pushing you toward more expensive options.

AA Car Check

The AA’s entry into car history checks makes perfect sense given their automotive heritage. Their service feels like a natural extension of their breakdown cover — reliable, trustworthy, and thoroughly British.

What I like about AA Car Check is the clarity of their reporting. They present information in a way that’s accessible to people who aren’t necessarily car experts. The traffic light system (green for clear, amber for minor issues, red for serious problems) makes it easy to quickly assess a vehicle’s history. Perfect for those moments when you’re standing next to a potential purchase & need answers fast.

The data coverage is solid, though perhaps not quite as extensive as some specialists. They cover the essentials: finance, insurance write-offs, theft, and mileage verification. For most buyers, this level of information is entirely sufficient. The pricing sits in the middle ground at around £9.99, which feels reasonable for the AA brand reliability.

One thing that stands out is their money-back guarantee if you discover they’ve missed something significant. It’s a confidence booster, though I’ve never had to test it personally. Their customer service maintains the AA’s usual standards — professional and helpful, if not particularly speedy.

RAC Vehicle Check

The RAC’s offering follows a similar philosophy to the AA — leveraging their automotive credibility to provide vehicle history services. Their checks are thorough without being overwhelming, striking a good balance for average consumers.

Where RAC slightly edges ahead is in their presentation of MOT history. They don’t just list pass/fail records; they highlight patterns in advisory notices that might indicate ongoing issues. I once spotted a recurring brake advisory across three consecutive MOTs that the seller hadn’t mentioned — saved me from what could have been an expensive surprise.

The pricing is competitive at around £7.99 for a standard check, and they often run promotions that make it even more attractive. The turnaround time is typically instant, though I’ve occasionally experienced slight delays during peak periods (weekends seem particularly busy).

My main criticism would be that their basic package sometimes feels a bit light on detail compared to premium services. If you’re buying something particularly expensive or unusual, you might find yourself wanting more comprehensive information. But for everyday family cars, it covers the important bases well enough.

MyCarCheck

MyCarCheck represents the newer generation of vehicle history services — slick, affordable, and designed with modern users in mind. They’ve built their platform from the ground up for mobile use, which shows in the user experience.

At just £2.99 for a basic check, they’re incredibly competitive on price. The reports cover all the fundamental areas: finance, theft, insurance history, and mileage verification. While the data might not be quite as comprehensive as some premium services, it’s perfectly adequate for most situations.

What impressed me most was their speed — results appear almost instantaneously. The mobile-first design means checking a car while you’re viewing it is genuinely convenient. I’ve used it several times while standing in dealership forecourts, getting immediate reassurance before proceeding with negotiations.

The downside is that you sometimes get what you pay for. The reports, while accurate, lack some of the nuanced detail that more expensive services provide. For instance, their MOT history section is fairly basic compared to what you’d get from established players. Customer support, while friendly, isn’t quite as responsive as the premium alternatives.

There’s also the question of data coverage — being newer, they might not have access to some of the more obscure databases that older services have cultivated over decades. For mainstream vehicles, this probably won’t matter. For something unusual or particularly old, you might want to double-check with another service.

What Actually Matters in a Car Check

Having used all these services multiple times, I’ve learned that certain pieces of information are absolutely crucial while others are nice-to-have extras. Outstanding finance is the big one — discovering a car still has £8,000 owed on it after you’ve handed over your cash is a nightmare scenario that’s surprisingly common.

Insurance write-off categories deserve careful attention too. A Category S (structural damage) might be perfectly safe if properly repaired, but it’ll affect resale value. Category N (non-structural) is often less concerning, but you still want to know about it upfront. What really matters is whether the seller has been honest about the car’s history.

Mileage discrepancies are another red flag. Digital odometers are harder to tamper with than old mechanical ones, but it still happens. A good car check service will spot unusual patterns in MOT records that might indicate clocking.

The Bottom Line

After years of using these services & seeing both their successes and limitations, my honest recommendation is to start with Motorscan for most situations. Their combination of comprehensive data, reasonable pricing, and excellent customer service makes them hard to beat. For particularly expensive purchases, consider doubling up with an HPI check for maximum peace of mind.

The budget options like MyCarCheck are perfect for quick checks on lower-value vehicles, while the AA and RAC services offer good middle-ground solutions with trusted brand backing. Whatever you choose, remember that spending £5-20 on a car check is insignificant compared to the potential cost of buying someone else’s problem.

Trust me on this — I’ve seen too many friends skip the check to save a few pounds, only to discover expensive issues later. It’s just not worth the risk.

Published by HOLR Magazine.