Free vs paid car check
Free vs Paid Car Check
Free is fine for a quick look at MOT, tax and basic DVLA details. The checks that protect your money — finance, write-off and stolen markers — sit behind a paid report. Carpeep's is a flat £15 with a £30,000 data guarantee.
Included in your report:
- Finance check
- Write-off markers
- Stolen vehicle check
- Mileage & MOT history
- Ownership history
- Vehicle identity
Example Carpeep report
See exactly what Carpeep checks.
This is how the paid report sets out the risk checks a free check leaves out, each result in plain language.
Carpeep report summary
Example snapshot
Example data shown. Your report will show the recorded history for the reg you check.
What Carpeep makes clear.
Each paid check is laid out in plain language, so you know where the car stands before you commit any money.
Outstanding finance shown plainly
See whether any active finance is recorded against the reg before you pay the seller.
Write-off category & markers
Spot recorded Cat S, Cat N and older write-off markers, with the category set out clearly.
Official data sources
Records come from DVLA, DVSA, police, finance and insurance, backed by our £30,000 data guarantee.
Free vs paid: what each one shows.
| Check | Free check | Paid £15 report |
|---|---|---|
| MOT history | Yes | Yes |
| Tax status and basic DVLA details | Yes | Yes |
| Outstanding finance | No | Yes |
| Write-off markers (Cat S, Cat N) | No | Yes |
| Stolen markers | No | Yes |
| Mileage history analysis | Limited | Yes |
Want the free side first? Run a free car check for MOT and tax, then come back for the rest.
Which one do you actually need?
A free check is enough when
- You are checking your own car's MOT or tax
- You are curious about a car you spotted
- You are not about to pay anyone yet
A paid report is worth it when
- You are about to pay a deposit or the full price
- You are buying privately, where there is no comeback
- You want finance, write-off and stolen markers covered
For a deeper breakdown of every section, see what a full car history check actually includes.
Why paid matters
The paid checks are the ones that protect you.
If a car still has money owed on it, the finance company can have a claim on it even after you pay the seller. If it was written off and put back on the road, that affects safety and value. Free checks do not show either. A full car history check does, and it costs far less than the risk it covers.
Run a full Carpeep report
Free checks are a good first look.
Before you pay for a used car, run a full Carpeep report and read finance, write-off, theft and mileage in one place.
- No signup
- £30,000 data guarantee
Where the paid data comes from.
Every Carpeep report draws from official UK data sources. We do not create, edit or estimate any data. We present the records as they are held.
DVLA
Vehicle registration, keeper history, import/export status and vehicle specifications.
DVSA
Full MOT test history including results, advisories, mileage readings at each test and expiry dates.
Insurance industry records
Recorded write-off markers such as Cat A, B, S and N from insurance industry records.
UK finance lenders
Outstanding finance agreements including HP, PCP and conditional sale records.
Police stolen vehicle records
Stolen vehicle markers originating from UK police databases, checked against the registration and VIN.
Vehicle identity checks
VIN and registration cross-referenced to flag plate changes, cloning or identity mismatches.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free car check enough before buying?
What can I check for free?
What does a paid car check add?
When is a paid car check worth it?
Check a car before you buy
Don't buy a car you haven't checked.
Free is a good first look. Enter the reg for the paid checks that protect your money before you commit.
- No account needed
- Apple Pay accepted
- £30,000 data guarantee