Get the Full Story Behind Any UK Vehicle
Enter a registration number to instantly uncover a vehicle’s history. Solera’s official hpi check® reveals vital details on any motorised vehicle registered in the UK – including cars, vans, and motorbikes.
Get the Most Trusted hpi check® – Protect Your Car Purchase
Avoid costly mistakes – Uncover hidden risks before you buy.
Our most popular hpi check® is just £19.99, giving you complete peace of mind when purchasing a used car.
Instantly access 80+ in-depth data points, including:
✔ Outstanding finance checks
✔ Mileage discrepancies
✔ Write-off history
✔ Stolen vehicle records
With the most accurate, real-time vehicle data, you can buy with confidence and protect your money from scams and fraud. We trust our data so much that we offer you the opportunity to protect your spend further with our £30,000 guarantee
What Is an hpi check?®
An hpi check® by Solera is a comprehensive vehicle history report that provides detailed information on any motorised vehicle registered in the UK, including cars, vans, and motorbikes. It searches data from sources such as the DVLA, the Police, finance and insurance companies, and other official bodies to identify issues like outstanding finance, theft, insurance write-offs, and mileage discrepancies. An hpi check is a vital step to help protect you from potential risks when buying a used vehicle.
What Is Included in an hpi check®
Recorded as Stolen
Is the vehicle currently listed as stolen on the Police National Computer? If a vehicle is still recorded as stolen, it legally remains the property of the person or organisation it was taken from. Buying such a vehicle puts you at risk of losing both the vehicle and the money you paid for it.
Insurance Write-Off
Has the vehicle been damaged so severely that an insurance company has declared it a total loss — meaning it’s not economical or safe to repair? In some cases, the damage is so extensive the vehicle should never be returned to the road. However, some write-offs do reappear, posing serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
Outstanding Finance
Is there still a loan or finance agreement secured against the vehicle? In most cases, the finance provider legally owns the vehicle until the debt is fully repaid. Because the debt is tied to the vehicle—not the borrower—you could lose both the car and the money you paid if the finance hasn’t been settled, even if you bought it in good faith.
Number of Previous Owners
How many previous owners or keepers has the DVLA recorded on the vehicle’s logbook? Use this information to confirm that it matches what the seller has told you, helping you spot any discrepancies in the vehicle’s history.
Recorded as Scrapped
Has the vehicle been marked as scrapped by the DVLA? If so, it should not be on the road or offered for sale. Driving or buying a scrapped vehicle can pose serious legal and safety risks.
Logbook Check
Make sure the V5C logbook belongs to the vehicle you're viewing and is the latest version issued. There are over 200,000 stolen V5C documents in circulation, and a vehicle with a stolen logbook is often cloned or stolen — putting you at serious risk of fraud.
Mileage Discrepancies *
Is the vehicle showing the correct mileage? A mismatch in mileage records could suggest the car has been clocked — meaning the odometer has been tampered with to show fewer miles. Clocked vehicles may hide significant wear and tear, and if the proper service schedule hasn’t been followed, it could lead to serious mechanical issues. Mileage also directly affects a vehicle’s value, so incorrect readings could mean you’re paying far more than it’s worth. *Mileage data shown where available.
Number Plate Changes
How many times has the vehicle had a number plate change, and is anything still linked to a previous registration? This check reveals any legitimate plate changes recorded since April 1990. While many drivers change plates for personalisation, they can also be changed to disguise a vehicle’s true history — so it’s important to check what might be hidden behind a previous plate.
Imported/Exported
Has the vehicle been imported into or exported out of the UK? Imported vehicles can have limited history available prior to UK registration, making it harder to verify past ownership or condition. They may also be more expensive to insure and maintain due to difficulties sourcing parts. If a vehicle has been marked as exported by the DVLA, it should no longer be in the country — raising serious concerns about its identity. Such vehicles typically cannot be insured in the UK.
Valuation *
A guide valuation gives you an estimated market value for a vehicle based on its make, model, age, typical mileage, and general condition. It helps set realistic expectations for both buyers and sellers. If you're buying, it shows whether the asking price is fair. If you're selling, it helps you price the vehicle competitively. *Valuation data is provided where available and reflects current market trends.
Estimated Fuel Cost
The estimated fuel cost is calculated based on driving 12,000 miles per year. This figure helps you understand and compare the ongoing running costs of the vehicle, giving you a clearer picture of what it might cost to keep it on the road.
VIN/Chassis Check
In addition to the registration number, we check the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for any recorded issues. We also verify that the VIN or chassis numbers on the vehicle match those listed on the V5C logbook. Any mismatch could be a serious red flag, potentially indicating the vehicle has been cloned, stolen, or involved in structural alterations such as a cut and shut.
MOT History Check
Every hpi check® includes a full MOT history review for the vehicle. This provides valuable insight into how well the vehicle has been maintained over time, highlighting any past failures, advisories, or patterns of neglect — helping you make a more informed buying decision.
There's No Such Thing as a FREE hpi check®
The genuine hpi check® is a registered trademark of Solera hpi Ltd, established in 1938, and is the original vehicle history check trusted across the UK.
Be cautious of companies offering free or cheap “hpi checks” — they are not providing the real product. These imitations often use outdated or incomplete data and may miss critical issues such as outstanding finance, theft, or write-off status.
Relying on inaccurate information can lead to costly mistakes.
Stay safe and informed — always look for the official hpi check® name and trademark
At HPI, we don’t just check millions of records from trusted sources — we also use advanced technology to keep that data continuously updated. We’ve enhanced the records of over 35 million live vehicles, covering more than 97% of those on UK roads. No other vehicle history check keeps its data as current and comprehensive as hpi check®.
Where our data comes from
DVLA
The DVLA is an executive agency of the Department for Transport, responsible for maintaining the official database of drivers and registered vehicles in the UK. It plays a key role in vehicle registration, licensing, and road safety enforcement.
Finance Houses
Banks, finance providers, and logbook loan companies notify us of any outstanding finance agreements linked to vehicles, helping to identify if a vehicle is still under finance or has a loan secured against it.
Insurance Companies
The Motor Insurance Fraud and Theft Register, run by the UK insurance industry, records vehicles written off as a total loss. It includes Category A, B, C, or D classifications, showing the severity of damage and whether the vehicle can be repaired or should be scrapped.
National Mileage Register
Operated by Solera's hpi Ltd, the National Mileage Register is used to verify a vehicle’s mileage history. It holds over 200 million mileage readings, helping to detect discrepancies and potential clocking.
Industry Bodies
SMMT (The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) is the trade association for the UK automotive industry, supplying daily vehicle data and technical specifications to support accurate vehicle identification and history checks.
Police Records
The Police National Computer is a central system containing multiple databases with nationally and locally significant information — including whether a vehicle is currently recorded as stolen.
Have a Question?
Check out our help & support pages for answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Save 50% with MultiCheck – 3 Full hpi checks for £29.99!
Looking at multiple cars? Don’t risk missing out on the right once. Our MultiCheck package gives you three full hpi checks for just £29.99 – a 50% saving compared to buying separately.
Getting the discount is easy. Just follow our simple instructions here – redeem MultiCheck. And of course, this is covered by our guarantee!
Want a Quick, Budget-Friendly Check?
Try our Basic Check for just £9.99 – a great first step if you’re on a budget. However, you won’t benefit from our guarantee and elements such as mileage discrepancies and write off details will not be included.