Free UK Car Check
Run a comprehensive vehicle history check on any UK car. Access MOT history, mileage, tax, and premium technical specs instantly.
What's Included in a Car Check?
Free checks are instant. Premium checks include everything the free check covers plus finance, stolen and write-off data.
MOT History
FREEFull DVSA MOT history back to 2005. Every test, every failure, every advisory.
Mileage Records
FREEMileage logged at every MOT. Detect clocking and odometer fraud instantly.
Tax Status
FREECurrent road tax status and expiry date from DVLA.
Vehicle Specs
FREEEngine size, fuel type, colour, CO2 emissions, and registration details.
Car Valuation
£1.99Check what a car is worth by registration with private sale, part exchange and dealer retail ranges.
Check valuation →Stolen Vehicle Check
£4.99 + VATCross-referenced against the police national database.
Outstanding Finance
£4.99 + VATVerify the vehicle has no outstanding finance agreements.
Write-Off History
£4.99 + VATInsurance category check covering Cat A, B, S and N status.
Mileage Verification
£4.99 + VATExpert mileage analysis with anomaly flagging.
MOTCO vs HPI Check
MOTCO keeps the free essentials free, then lets you choose only the paid checks you actually need.
| Feature | MOTCO | HPI-style checks |
|---|---|---|
| MOT History | Free | Paid |
| Tax Status | Free | Paid |
| Mileage Records | Free | Paid |
| Vehicle Specs | Free | Paid |
| Car Valuation | £1.99 standalone | Often bundled |
| Stolen Check | £4.99 + VAT | £19.99+ |
| Finance Check | £4.99 + VAT | £19.99+ |
| Write-Off History | £4.99 + VAT | £19.99+ |
| Full Report Price | £4.99 + VAT | Usually £19.99-£29.99 |
Car Check: Common Questions
What is a car check?
A car check, also known as a vehicle history check or HPI check, reveals the full background of a UK vehicle, including MOT history, tax status, finance status, stolen record and write-off history. MOTCO provides free MOT and tax checks, plus premium full checks from £4.99 + VAT.
Is a car check the same as an HPI check?
An HPI check is one brand of vehicle history check. MOTCO provides equivalent data at a lower price (£4.99 + VAT vs £19.99+), with DVSA MOT data, finance checks, stolen checks, and write-off history.
How do I run a car check?
Enter the UK registration plate on MOTCO. The free check instantly shows MOT history, mileage records and tax status. For a full vehicle history report including finance, stolen and write-off checks, purchase the £4.99 + VAT premium report.
Can I check what my car is worth by registration?
Yes. MOTCO has a dedicated car valuation by registration tool for £1.99. It identifies the vehicle first, then shows clear private sale, part exchange and dealer retail valuation ranges.
Can a car check reveal clocked mileage?
Yes. The DVSA records mileage at every MOT test. If the mileage decreases, stays suspiciously flat, or shows impossible annual increases, this is a major red flag. MOTCO highlights mileage anomalies automatically.
Should I get a valuation before buying a full report?
A valuation is useful if you only want to understand price. A full MOTCO report is better before buying because it adds finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and wider history checks.