Check HPI in about 60 seconds. Don't buy a car's problems.
Pop in a reg and we'll show you the car's details, MOT and tax for free. Want the full story on finance, theft and write-offs? Unlock it with one simple payment.
Free basicsMake, model, MOT and tax for any UK reg.
About 60 secondsFrom typing the reg to reading the results.
From £9.99Pay once. No subscription, no sneaky renewals.
Yours to keepOn screen, by email and as a PDF.
Why run an HPI check?
A shiny car can hide a very expensive past.
Fresh polish and a friendly seller don't tell you whether there's finance owing, whether it's been written off, or whether those miles are real. An HPI check does. It's the one bit of homework that can save you thousands.
- Outstanding finance can mean a lender has a claim on the car.
- Stolen cars can be taken back by the police, leaving you out of pocket.
- Write-offs affect value and insurance, and a bad repair can be dangerous.
- Clocked mileage means you overpay and miss services the car needs.
How to check HPI in three easy steps
No sign-up wall and no jargon. You see what we've found before you spend a penny.
Enter the reg
Type in the number plate. We'll instantly pull the make, model, colour, year, MOT and tax.
See what's hidden
We run the deeper checks straight away and show you exactly which ones are waiting, locked until you choose.
Unlock and decide
Pay once and get your full HPI check on screen, in your inbox and as a PDF to show the seller.
Everything an HPI check should cover
Each check answers one simple question: is there anything about this car I should know before I hand over my money?
Outstanding finance
Is money still owed on it? Find out before the lender's problem becomes yours.
Finance checks explainedStolen
Has it been reported stolen to the police?
Stolen checksWrite-off
Cat A, B, S and N insurance write-offs.
Write-off checksMileage
Spot clocking and odd jumps in the miles.
Mileage checksPlate changes
Previous regs that could hide a history.
Plate change checks
Vehicle basics, MOT and tax ALWAYS FREE
Make, model, colour, year, engine size, MOT and tax status. No card needed, ever.
About our free car checkSimple HPI check prices
One payment per car. No subscriptions, no accounts to cancel, and the basics are always free.
Standard
The must-knows before you buy
- Outstanding finance check
- Stolen vehicle check
- Write-off check
- Free vehicle, MOT and tax details
Premium
Our most complete HPI check
- Everything in Standard
- Mileage history check
- Plate change history
- Number of previous keepers
Ultimate
For bigger buys and extra peace of mind
- Everything in Premium
- Market valuation and fair offer guide
- Vehicle image
- ULEZ, running costs and recall check
- Free re-check within 30 days
- £30k data guarantee
One-off payment · Instant results · 30-day money-back guarantee · Compare every check
HPI check questions, answered
The things people ask us most. Can't see yours? Read the full FAQ.
What is an HPI check?
An HPI check is a vehicle history check. It looks up a car's registration against official and industry records to tell you if it has outstanding finance, has been reported stolen, has been written off, or has a suspicious mileage history. The name comes from HPI (originally Hire Purchase Information), and people now use "HPI check" to mean any full car history check.
Is the CheckHPI basic check really free?
Yes. Enter any UK registration and we'll show you the make, model, colour, year, engine size, MOT and tax status for free. No card and no account needed. You only pay if you want to unlock the full history checks.
How much does an HPI check cost?
Our full HPI checks start at £9.99 for Standard (finance, stolen and write-off), £14.99 for Premium (adds mileage, plate changes and keeper count) and £19.99 for Ultimate (adds a valuation and a £30k data guarantee). It's a one-off payment per car, never a subscription.
When should I check HPI on a car?
Before you hand over any money, including a deposit. The best time is once you've found a car you like but before you travel to see it, then again on the day if a while has passed. Records can change.
Do I need an HPI check if I'm buying from a dealer?
It's still a smart move. Dealers should check their stock, and you have more legal protection buying from a trader, but a few pounds for your own HPI check gives you independent peace of mind and something to point to if anything doesn't add up.
What happens if my HPI check finds a problem?
Don't panic and don't pay. Show the seller what you've found and ask them to explain. Some issues can be sorted, like a seller settling their finance before the sale. Others, like a stolen report, mean you should walk away. Our guides explain what to do for each result.
New to all this? Read our plain-English guide: what is an HPI check?
Car buying guides
Friendly, plain-English advice to help you buy your next used car with confidence.
Full HPI Check vs Basic Car Check: Which Do You Need?
Basic car check or full HPI check? They sound similar but cover very different things. Here's a side-by-side comparison and a simple guide to…
Are Cheap HPI Checks Worth It? What You Get for a Few Pounds
Budget car checks promise the same peace of mind for less. Some deliver, some don't. Here's how to tell a genuine bargain from a…
HPI Clear vs HPI Marker: What Shows Up and What to Do
Your HPI check came back with a marker. Don't panic. Here's what each type of marker means, which ones are deal-breakers, and what to…
Your next car deserves a quick check.
Free basics in seconds. The full HPI check from £9.99. It's the cheapest bit of peace of mind you'll buy.