How we compared
We took the price each provider shows on its own website for one check on one vehicle, and where a provider sells more than one level of check we used the cheapest one that includes an outstanding-finance check. Finance is the line we drew because it is the costliest problem a buyer can miss: a car on finance can still belong to the lender.
We left out any provider whose single-check price we could not see on its own site that day, rather than rely on a third-party figure. The table is re-checked monthly and the date at the top changes when it is.
What the table does not score: several providers add extras such as a valuation or a data guarantee, and some reports go into more depth in places. DealerPricing's check does not include a data guarantee. Compare what is covered, not only the price.
Cheaper checks that leave finance out
Some providers sell a lower-priced check that covers stolen and write-off records but not finance. Total Car Check's Silver check, for example, is £3.99 and marks outstanding finance as not included; its check with finance is the Gold check in the table. If a price looks lower than the table, look for the finance line before you pay.
Free checks read DVLA and MOT records only. They confirm the make, colour, tax and MOT history, which is worth doing first, but insurers' theft records, finance and write-off records are not free anywhere.
Bundles and trade prices
If you are viewing several cars, bundles change the sums. Most providers discount packs of three or five checks, which can bring the price per check below their single price.
DealerPricing has no bundle to buy in advance: every check is £3.99, and motor traders on a DealerPricing plan pay £2.50 per check.
What a £3.99 DealerPricing check covers
One report, by registration number, returned in seconds:
- Stolen: the police stolen-vehicle marker and insurers' theft records
- Outstanding finance: agreement type and lender where one is recorded
- Insurance write-off: category (A, B, S or N), date and damage details where recorded
- Mileage discrepancies across the recorded readings
- Plate changes, colour changes and previous keepers
- Import, export and scrapped markers
- Full MOT history, tax status and DVLA details
- PDF report, emailed to you and free to re-open for 6 months