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Guide

CarCheckHQ vs carVertical: a fair UK comparison

Both CarCheckHQ and carVertical sell vehicle history reports for cars in the UK. They're built in different ways. carVertical draws on records from many countries and lets you start with a VIN. CarCheckHQ is UK-only, starts from a UK registration and costs less per report.

Everything below about carVertical comes from carVertical's own public pages. Everything about CarCheckHQ comes from our own live pages. We checked both on 26 October 2026. Prices and features can change, so check the current page before you buy either.

Published by CarCheckHQ · Updated . Written by the CarCheckHQ team.

Prices

CarCheckHQ, from our pricing page on 26 October 2026:

  • 1 report: £9.49
  • 2 reports: £12.99
  • 3 reports: £15.74

carVertical, from its UK pricing page on 26 October 2026:

  • 1 report: £39.99
  • 2 reports: £51.98
  • 3 reports: £62.97

Both sell larger packs for motor traders. Our credits last six calendar months. carVertical's pre-check page says unused reports won't expire for 6 months.

What each report says it covers

A CarCheckHQ report can include these, where a connected source returns a record:

  • outstanding finance markers
  • stolen and other theft or legal markers
  • an insurance write-off marker and category
  • dated mileage readings
  • MOT history, as a summary of recorded mileage readings
  • number of previous keepers, keeper change dates, plate changes and V5C dates
  • a valuation estimate, which isn't a guaranteed price

carVertical's home page says its report can uncover recorded images, damage, ownership change, theft records and mileage rollbacks. The same list goes on to specs and equipment, emission taxes, market price, maintenance, safety, financial restrictions and natural disaster exposure. It says photos of the car's exterior are shown when available.

Our report doesn't include auction records, photographs, MOT test-by-test results and advisories, or recall status. It also doesn't cover full service history, mechanical condition, EV battery health or every accident. If a section has no data, our report marks it "Not covered" and says the information isn't available in this report. That's a gap, not a clear result.

Where the data comes from

CarCheckHQ: finance, theft and write-off markers come from a UK vehicle-data provider, which draws on finance-house records, police records and insurance-company records. Vehicle details such as make, model and colour come from the same provider.

carVertical: its pricing page says its reports are built using data from over 1000 international sources, including national vehicle registries, insurance companies, law enforcement agencies and official garages. Its help pages say it doesn't create vehicle history data itself.

Starting a check

  • CarCheckHQ needs a UK registration and the current mileage. You can't search by VIN alone.
  • carVertical lets you enter a UK registration or a 17-digit VIN. Its home page says a report is generated in about 40 seconds after payment.

Refunds and report returns

The two policies are similar in shape.

CarCheckHQ, from our refund policy:

  • If you're a consumer and haven't used any of your order, you can cancel within 14 days for a full refund. You don't need to give a reason.
  • If a check finds no qualifying history, the report credit comes back automatically. That's a credit, not money back.
  • If you think a report has an error, tell us within 30 days of it being generated.

carVertical, from its refund policy and terms:

  • Its terms give a 14-day right to cancel for unused reports. Used reports aren't covered by that right.
  • If a report has no historical data, typically in the odometer, damage and timeline sections, an unused report is added back to your account automatically.
  • Other return requests go to its support team by email within 30 days of generating the report.

When carVertical may suit you better

  • The car was imported, or has spent time abroad, and you want records from other countries.
  • You only have the VIN.
  • You want photos of the car's exterior from past records, where they exist.
  • You want sections we don't offer, such as maintenance, safety or natural disaster exposure.

When CarCheckHQ may suit you better

  • The car has a UK registration and a UK history.
  • You mainly want to check for outstanding finance, theft markers, write-offs, mileage readings and keeper changes.
  • You're comparing two or three cars and want to keep the cost down.
  • You want each report section to say plainly when there's no data.

Do the free checks first, whichever you choose

Neither report replaces the free GOV.UK services. Check the MOT history, check the details match DVLA's vehicle enquiry, check for safety recalls and look at the V5C log book serial number. Our guide to free MOT history vs a paid car history check explains what each one shows.

Questions buyers ask

Is CarCheckHQ cheaper than carVertical?

On 26 October 2026, one CarCheckHQ report cost £9.49 and one carVertical report cost £39.99. Both sell packs that bring the cost per report down. Check both pricing pages on the day, as prices change.

Does carVertical cover UK cars?

Yes. carVertical has a UK site that takes UK registrations and VINs, and its report draws on international sources.

Can CarCheckHQ check a car by VIN?

No. A UK registration is needed to start a check. If you only have a VIN, a service that accepts a VIN may suit you better. Our page on checking a car by VIN explains more.

Do both give refunds?

Both give consumers 14 days to cancel unused reports. Both return a report credit automatically when a check finds no history. Both take other return requests within 30 days. The exact rules differ, so read each policy.

Is CarCheckHQ connected to carVertical?

No. They're separate companies.

What this comparison can't tell you

We've compared what each company says on its public pages. We haven't bought a carVertical report or tested its data, and we don't rate either service here. A report shows what its sources return at the time you run it. Neither can prove a car is clear.

CarCheckHQ is a brand of DESKLINK LTD. It isn't affiliated with carVertical, HPI, DVLA or DVSA.

Sources

All checked 26 October 2026.