Free HP check alternative
Car checks have been around for years, and the way we refer to them has become tied to one brand name in particular. In the same sense that all Tupperware are plastic food storage but not all plastic food storage is Tupperware, the product name, has become a catch-all term for a range of car checks.
Essentially what many people commonly refer to as an HP Car Check is simply a vehicle history check. Other times you might see them called car history checks, used car checks, or any variation similar to that. They are all alike in their aims, to verify the background of a used vehicle to give future owners insight into the history of the car. With one exception, Car Guide. Car Guide is the only car check also looking at the car’s future, but we will explain that in more detail below.
Free Car Check
Just enter your Car Registration below
Tell us when you’re buying the car so we can show you the most relevant info
Our Buyers Reports offer more data than any other site
From only £2.99*
Downloadable PDF
Check Multiple Cars
*With 30-day access, additional reports are only £2.99
How much is a HP check?
Compared to other car checks, official checks can be quite expensive. With a price set at anywhere as much as £19.95, it can catch people by surprise when they look into their options. This covers a one-off vehicle check.
Comparatively, Car Guide’s variety of vehicle checks range from free one-off searches up to 30-day access for £10.99 which gives you access to 2 buyer’s reports as well as a host of other excellent benefits.
Do I need to use official checks?
You don’t need to use the official checks, but it should be known that not all car checks are created equal. Ensuring you have the right checks to protect yourself is the most important thing.
The key searches of importance that you should ensure your vehicle history checks cover include:
- Whether your vehicles has been stolen
- Has the vehicle been written off?
- Is there any outstanding finance?
- Mileage discrepancies
- How many previous owners
- Number plate changes
If you ensure you have the essential checks completed, you don’t necessarily need to use the official HPI check.
Are all HP checks the same?
No, not all HPI checks are the same. Vehicle history checks can vary with what they include and so can the price you pay. To get your value for money, you need to be sure that the checks you are completing are comprehensive. Without a detailed and accurate history of your vehicle, you could be stung with a nasty surprise.
Looking into the background of a used vehicle gives buyers insight into what they will be getting for their money. If you miss any key checks, there is a risk that you could end up paying a lot more for your vehicle. While there are plenty of car checks available on the market, sourcing a comprehensive solution is the best way to ensure you have all the information you require to make an informed decision.
How does Car Guide compare to typical HP check?
As mentioned earlier, Car Guide is the only car check that looks at the future of a vehicle. You might wonder what it means, let us explain. Whilst all other car checks verify and uncover a vehicle’s history, we also tell you what is coming up, such as upcoming services and repairs and its costs. Car Guide is also powered by our own machine learning platform which predicts which components are likely to fail in the future. All of this information can be used to either reconsider your purchase decision or to negotiate a better price. While not identical, our in-depth checks provide you with all the information you need.
Our three tiers of checks include the following:
Free Car Check:
- 1 x Free Car Check which includes:
- Full MOT History
- Imported / Exported
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- Ex-Taxi Register Check
- MOT Failure Prediction
- Plate & Colour Changes
- Detailed Technical Data
Pay as you go – £8.99 one-off payment
Everything with a free account plus:
- 2 x Car Checks
- Shortlist & Compare Cars
- 1 x Buyer’s Report which includes:
- Outstanding Finance Check
- Insurance Write-Off
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- Stolen or Scrapped
- Upcoming Repairs & Costs
- Service Schedules & Costs
30 days access – £10.99 one-off payment
- Everything with a free account plus:
- Unlimited Car Checks
- Shortlist & Compare Cars
- 2 x Buyer’s Report which include:
- Outstanding Finance Check
- Insurance Write-Off
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- Stolen or Scrapped
- Upcoming Repairs & Costs
- Service Schedules & Costs
Should I bother getting a HP check or an alternative anyway?
We can get caught up in the excitement of buying a car, however we shouldn’t forget the importance of completing thorough checks. While searching through listings, inspecting and admiring your options is thrilling, it’s essential to do your research. If you don’t, you might find that you pay more for your used car than you bargained for.
Is there a free HP check?
While an official car check is not free, there are a number of free car checks available on the market. There’s no such thing as a free vehicle check that is comprehensive. As a premium service, providers incur fees and this is why no free vehicle checks will be as detailed as an official HP check. Free vehicle checks will offer basic information but won’t be able to provide the full picture.
Give yourself peace of mind and complete your car checks with Car Guide. All you need to get started is the vehicle registration.
All this data for free:
- 1 x Free Car Check:
- Full MOT History
- Imported / Exported
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- MOT Failure Prediction
- Plate & Colour Changes
- Date V5c Last Issued
- Detailed Technical Data
Everything with a free account plus:
- Unlimited Car Checks!
- Shortlist & Compare Cars
- 2 x Buyer's Reports which include:
- Outstanding Finance Check
- Insurance Write-Off
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- Stolen or Scrapped
- Safety Recalls
- Upcoming Repairs & Costs
- Service Schedules & Costs
Everything with a free account plus:
- 2 x Car Checks
- Shortlist & Compare Cars
- 1 x Buyer's Report which includes:
- Outstanding Finance Check
- Insurance Write-Off
- Ex-Salvage Register Check
- Stolen or Scrapped
- Safety Recalls
- Upcoming Repairs & Costs
- Service Schedules & Costs
Frequently asked questions
HP clear refers to a UK registered vehicle (car, van or a motorbike) that has had an HP Check and it showed no adverse data record for that vehicle. This is very important, especially when purchasing a used car and can provide extra piece of mind to used car buyers. Find out about HP Check alternatives here.
An official HP check is £19.95 for one report so if you want to check a couple of cars, it can get pricey! Car Guide offers the most comprehensive car check currently on the market, providing more information than the official HP check for less money. Try it out today!
A typical HP check will include information like full MOT history, whether the car has outstanding finance, whether it was reported stolen, written off, scrapped, imported/exported, plate and colour changes and number of owners. Car Guide’s car check will give you more information than any other HP check currently on the market, as we are using our own machine learning platform to predict which components are likely to cause a problem in the future. Find out more here.
