Everyone loves free stuff, so here’s ours: enter any UK registration and we’ll show you the car’s key details straight away. No card, no account, no catch. It’s the perfect first step before you decide whether to run a full HPI check.
What’s in the free car check?
- Make and model
- Colour
- Year of manufacture
- Engine size and fuel type
- Tax status and when it’s due
- MOT status and when it expires
How to use your free check
Compare what we show with the advert and the car in front of you. Does the colour match? Is the engine size right? Is it taxed and MOT’d as the seller claims? If something doesn’t line up, that’s your cue to ask questions.
Free check vs full HPI check
The free check tells you what the car is. A full HPI check tells you where it’s been. Here’s the difference:
| What's included | Standard £9.99 | Premium £14.99 | Ultimate £19.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make, model, colour, year and engine | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| MOT and tax status | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Outstanding finance | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Stolen vehicle check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Insurance write-off (Cat A, B, S, N) | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Mileage history and clocking flags | – Not included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Plate change history | – Not included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Number of previous keepers | – Not included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Market valuation | – Not included | – Not included | ✓ Included |
| £30k data guarantee | – Not included | – Not included | ✓ Included |
The free details we show come from the same kind of public records you can look up yourself on GOV.UK, using the DVLA vehicle enquiry service and MOT history on GOV.UK. We just put them in one tidy place with the rest of your check. The finance, theft and write-off data is the bit that isn’t freely available, and that’s what the paid checks unlock.
Free car check questions
Is the free car check really free?
Yes. No card, no account and no catch. Enter any UK reg and we'll show you the basics straight away.
Where does the free information come from?
It comes from public vehicle records, the same kind of information you can look up on GOV.UK. We put it in one tidy place alongside the rest of your check.
What doesn't the free check include?
Outstanding finance, stolen records, insurance write-offs, mileage history and plate changes. Those are part of our paid HPI checks, from £9.99.
New to vehicle checks? Start with our guide: What is an HPI check?
