What is an HPI check?
An HPI check is a UK vehicle history report that confirms whether a car has outstanding finance, has been declared an insurance write-off, has been reported stolen, and whether its mileage history is consistent. The name comes from HPI Limited, the company that popularised the service in the UK. Today, "HPI check" is often used as a generic term for any car history report — much like "Hoover" for vacuum cleaner.
What a UK HPI-style check covers
- Outstanding finance (hire purchase, PCP, secured loans).
- Insurance write-off status (Cat A, B, S, N).
- Stolen vehicle record on the police database.
- Mileage history against MOT and industry records.
- DVLA vehicle details including VIN and registered keeper count.
- MOT history.
Where the data comes from
All UK history providers pull from the same core sources: the DVLA for vehicle and keeper details, the motor finance industry databases for outstanding finance, the insurance industry write-off register for Cat markers, and the police's stolen vehicle feed. This is why data accuracy between providers is usually very close.
What "HPI clear" means
A car is "HPI clear" when the report shows no finance, no write-off and no theft markers. It is not a legal status — it is marketing shorthand for a clean report. Any UK history check can tell you the same.
HPI Limited vs other providers
HPI Limited is the original brand and charges a premium price for the familiarity. Other providers — including Carpeep at £15 — use the same data sources and offer the same core checks at lower prices. For a side-by-side see HPI Check vs Carpeep.
Frequently asked questions
Is an HPI check the only type of car history check in the UK?
No. It is one brand among several. All major UK providers offer comparable reports from the same underlying data.
Do I need an HPI check before buying a used car?
You need a history check. Whether you pay for HPI Limited specifically or a cheaper provider with the same data is your choice.
Is an HPI check worth it?
A history check of any brand is worth it. See is an HPI check worth it for the value question specifically.