MotoFiles vs HPI: Free vs Paid Car Check
HPI is the UK's most established vehicle check provider — but it costs up to £20 per check. MotoFiles gives you the essential DVLA and DVSA data for free. Here is an honest, side-by-side comparison.
Feature-by-feature comparison
We are transparent about what we offer for free and what HPI provides as a paid service.
| Feature | MotoFiles | HPI |
|---|---|---|
| Free basic vehicle check | ||
| MOT history & advisory notes | ||
| Tax status & expiry date | ||
| Vehicle specifications (make, model, fuel, CO2) | ||
| Mileage history from MOT records | ||
| No sign-up required for free check | ||
| Instant results (no waiting) | ||
| Outstanding finance check | ||
| Insurance write-off (Cat S/N) check | ||
| Stolen vehicle marker (PNC) | ||
| Number plate change history | ||
| Scrap & salvage records | ||
| Price for full check | Free | £9.90–£19.99 |
Where MotoFiles wins
100% Free
No payment, no sign-up, no trial. Check as many vehicles as you want, completely free.
Instant Results
Live DVLA lookups return in seconds. No waiting for email reports or account setup.
Official Data
Direct from DVLA and DVSA — the same government databases HPI uses for their core checks.
Where HPI still leads
We are honest about the gaps. HPI covers premium data sets that require paid partnerships.
Outstanding Finance
HPI checks whether a car has an outstanding loan secured against it — a critical check if the seller still owes money to a finance company.
Stolen & Write-off
HPI accesses the Police National Computer for stolen markers and insurance databases for write-off categories (Cat S, Cat N, etc.).
Start with a free check
Enter any UK registration to get instant MOT, tax, and vehicle data — no payment required.
Free check — no sign-up required
Frequently asked questions
Is MotoFiles really free when HPI charges £20?
Yes. MotoFiles provides a genuinely free basic vehicle check that includes MOT history, tax status, vehicle identity, and technical specifications — all sourced live from DVLA and DVSA. HPI charges for their full report because it includes additional data sets like outstanding finance, stolen markers, and write-off status that require paid data partnerships.
What does HPI check that MotoFiles does not?
HPI currently covers outstanding finance agreements, insurance write-off categories, stolen vehicle markers from the Police National Computer, number plate change history, and scrap/salvage records. MotoFiles is adding these as premium features — but our free check already gives you the essential MOT, tax, and identity foundation that most buyers need before paying for a full HPI.
Should I use both MotoFiles and HPI?
Many buyers do exactly that. Start with MotoFiles for a free instant check on MOT history, tax status, and vehicle specs. If anything looks suspicious — high mileage discrepancies, failed MOTs, or a car that seems too cheap — then invest in a paid HPI check for finance, write-off, and stolen status before committing to a purchase.
Is MotoFiles an HPI alternative?
MotoFiles is a free alternative for the core vehicle data that most UK buyers need — MOT history, tax status, and vehicle identity. For premium checks like outstanding finance and stolen markers, HPI remains the market leader. We are actively building premium features to close this gap.