HPI Check — Full Car History Check for Any UK Vehicle

What is an HPI check

An HPI check is a quick and easy way to check a vehicle's history before you buy it. It helps you spot important issues such as outstanding finance, stolen vehicle records, write-off status, mileage problems and other hidden risks that may not be obvious from a quick look at the car.

It is also useful for checking details that help confirm the car's identity. That can include VIN and logbook matching, plate changes, import or export history, previous keepers and, in some cases, safety recall information. A full car history check like this gives you a clearer picture than an MOT history alone, because it looks at the vehicle's background rather than just its test record.

An HPI check is designed to help you buy a used car with more confidence. It is a simple step that can save you time, money and stress later on.

What does a Regit HPI check reveal

A Regit HPI check can reveal key background details that help you make a safer buying decision. It shows the information most buyers want to know before they commit to a used car.

Outstanding finance check

Check whether any finance is still owed on the vehicle. If there is, the lender may still have a legal interest in the car.

Stolen vehicle check

See if the vehicle has been reported stolen. This helps you avoid buying a car that could later be taken away.

Insurance write-off & salvage (Cat A / B / S / N)

Find out whether the car has ever been written off by an insurer. It includes the main UK write-off categories, so you can understand the car's past more clearly.

Mileage / clocking check

Check the mileage history for anything unusual. This can help spot possible clocking or mileage that does not add up.

MOT history & advisories

View the car's MOT history, including passes, fails and advisory notes. It gives you a useful picture of how the vehicle has been looked after.

Outstanding safety recalls

Check for any open safety recalls on the vehicle. Regit includes recall data, so you can see if the car still needs work from the manufacturer.

VIN / chassis & V5C logbook match

Check that the VIN, chassis number and V5C logbook details all match. This helps confirm the car's identity and can highlight possible cloning issues.

Imported / exported check

See whether the vehicle has been imported or exported. This adds more context to its background and history.

Plate change history

Check whether the car has had any number plate changes. This can help you follow the vehicle's history more accurately.

Previous keepers & ownership dates

Find out how many previous owners the car has had, along with key ownership dates. It gives you a better sense of the vehicle's past.

Vehicle valuation & running costs

See an estimate of the car's value and likely running costs. This helps you compare it with similar vehicles and judge whether it is good value.

What an HPI check does NOT show

An HPI check gives you important vehicle history, but it does not show everything. Here's what you won't find in the report:

• No owner names or personal details – it does not show the previous owner's name or any personal information.
• Not every accident – it only shows damage recorded as insurer write-offs, not minor accidents or repairs that were never declared.
• No mechanical condition – it does not tell you whether the car is mechanically sound or needs repairs.
• No full service history – it won't show the car's complete service record, warranty work or maintenance history.
• No unpaid fines or charges – it does not show parking fines, traffic violations or other outstanding charges linked to the vehicle.
• No exact accident details – it may show that a car was written off, but not the nature of the accident, how severe it was, or which parts were damaged.
• No colour changes – unless recorded as part of a write-off or identity change, it may not show whether the car has been resprayed or changed colour.

Because of this, it's always worth arranging an independent inspection to check the car's condition, and checking the service history and any warranty paperwork yourself before you buy.

Where the data comes from

An HPI check brings together data from trusted UK sources so you get a full picture of the vehicle's history. The mix of official and industry sources helps explain ownership, finance, theft, write-off and registration details more clearly and accurately.

• DVLA: Supplies vehicle registration details, keeper history and key identity information.
• SMMT: Provides vehicle and market data used to help support accuracy and context.
• Police National Computer: Helps identify vehicles that may have been reported stolen.
• MIAFTR: Records insurer and industry write-off information, including salvage markers.
• ABI: Supports write-off category data and insurance-related vehicle history.
• Finance providers: Help confirm whether there is any outstanding finance linked to the vehicle.

Data is refreshed as new information becomes available from each source, so the report reflects the most up-to-date records we can access at the time of the check. This ensures your HPI check is as accurate and reliable as possible when you're buying a used car.