HPI vs CarVertical: Which Is Better for UK Buyers?
Choosing between HPI and CarVertical? Both do the job, but they differ on price, report style, and how easy they are to actually understand. This guide compares HPI vs CarVertical for UK buyers, and shows where Carpeep fits if you'd rather use a clear, no-nonsense car history check that tells you what you need without making you work for it.
HPI vs CarVertical: the verdict
- Choose HPI if you want the well-known UK legacy name. Covers finance, write-offs, theft and mileage from UK sources in a familiar report. £19.99.
- Consider CarVertical if you specifically need wider overseas history from before the vehicle entered the UK. £33.99 list price, with discount pop-ups common.
- Carpeep makes more sense if you want a simpler £15 check with no tiers, no upsells and instant delivery, covering the same UK risk checks as HPI.
Prices verified May 2026.
Run a full car history check for £15 →
What HPI Is Best For
HPI is the name most people know. In the UK it is almost synonymous with a HPI check.
They were first. That built trust. Being first does not mean the layout or price is still the best fit for everyone.
A Full check is £19.99. It uses DVLA, police, finance and insurance write-off data. Dealers, lenders and insurers know the brand.
The report itself is a dated layout next to newer options. If you only care about the key UK checks, you can pay less elsewhere.
What CarVertical Is Best For
You have probably seen the YouTube ads. CarVertical has spent heavily on advertising.
CarVertical may be useful when you specifically need wider international records from before a vehicle entered the UK. For UK-recorded risks, Carpeep checks the key areas buyers usually care about, including finance, accident / write-off history, stolen markers, mileage, MOT, keeper history and import/export markers where available.
The headline price is £33.99 per report. After that you usually get a discount pop-up. That is not the same as a simple list price.
For a UK-only car, £33.99 is expensive for data you often do not need.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HPI | CarVertical | Carpeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance (UK) | Yes | Yes, less UK-focused | Yes |
| Write-offs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Theft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Imported vehicle markers | Yes | Yes | Checked where recorded in UK data |
| Detailed overseas pre-UK history | No | Stronger focus | UK records |
| Report style | Legacy layout | Visual | Visual, simple |
| Pricing model | Tiered (Lite/Full) | List price + discount pop-ups | Flat, no upsells |
| Price | £19.99 | £33.99 | £15 |
| Overall verdict | Well-known, dated layout | Wider overseas data, higher price | Best value for most UK buyers wanting a clear £15 check |
Why Most UK Buyers Choose Carpeep
Carpeep gives you finance, accident / write-off history, stolen markers, mileage and MOT history, keeper history, import/export markers where available and vehicle identity in one clear report for £15.
No tiers, no account or subscription, and no pricing tricks. You are not funding a heavy ad budget.
You get everything that matters in one clear, modern report, backed by a £30,000 data guarantee.
That is £15 versus £19.99 for HPI Full and £33.99 for CarVertical.
Run the check before you commit. If something is wrong, you find out before you pay.
Compare with our HPI alternative page, or see our dedicated CarVertical alternative page.
Which Service Should You Choose?
A car history check should flag finance, write-offs, theft, mileage issues and ownership.
All three cover the basics. The real difference is price, focus and how clearly the report gets to the point.
- HPI if you want the well-known name. £19.99.
- CarVertical if you specifically need wider overseas history from before the vehicle entered the UK. £33.99.
- Carpeep if you want everything in one clear report. £15.
If you specifically need detailed overseas records from before the vehicle entered the UK, consider using a provider with wider international coverage as well.
If you do not suspect that, HPI makes more sense than CarVertical.
For everything in one clear report, use Carpeep.
For most UK buyers, Carpeep is the clear choice.
If you want a clear, modern report without the £33.99 price or the older HPI layout, use Carpeep.
For more comparisons, see our compare hub.
For a free starting point, use our MOT history check.
For finance, theft and write-offs, you still need a full check.
What Actually Matters Before You Buy
Three things matter: finance, write-offs, mileage.
If any of those are missing, the check is not doing its job.
Paying more does not mean a better check.
It especially does not help if the money goes on ads, discount tricks or data you will not use.
Cars sell fast. Check first, then decide.
Get a Full Car History Check
No signup • £30k data guarantee
Before you pay for a used car, check finance, write-offs, theft and mileage in one clear report.
- Outstanding finance and agreement type, so you don’t accidentally buy a car the lender still owns
- Write-off categories and serious damage history that can affect safety and resale value
- Police theft records and scrapped status checks
- MOT history and mileage analysis to highlight potential clocking or long gaps off the road
Frequently asked questions
Is HPI or CarVertical better for UK cars?
HPI is the better-known name.
CarVertical can help if you specifically need wider overseas history from before a vehicle entered the UK.
Carpeep is the clearer choice for most UK buyers who want all key checks at one price.
Does CarVertical work for UK cars?
Yes. It covers UK cars for finance, write-offs and mileage.
Its wider international data mainly helps if you need detailed overseas records from before a vehicle entered the UK.
The standard list price is £33.99, and a discount pop-up often follows.
What is the main difference between HPI and Carpeep?
HPI Full is £19.99 and Carpeep is £15.
HPI is the big legacy name, but Carpeep gives you the key UK checks in one clear report at one fixed price.
Which check includes finance and write-off for one price?
Carpeep at £15. HPI Full is £19.99. CarVertical lists at £33.99, then usually shows a discount pop-up.
Is Carpeep as reliable as HPI for a UK car check?
Carpeep focuses on the key UK checks a buyer needs, including finance, write-offs and mileage, using DVLA and related sources.
The difference is that Carpeep presents them in a clearer report at a fixed price.
Can I use a free MOT history check instead?
Our free MOT history check is a good starting point. It shows mileage and past test results.
It does not show finance, theft or write-offs. Add a full check before you buy.