RAC Vehicle History Check
Basic vehicle history check
Check for recorded theft, insurance write-offs and import or export history.
-
1 in 3 cars we check have a hidden history
-
1 in 11 cars show inaccurate mileage
-
1 in 5 cars have had at least one plate change
Basic Check
Get an instant RAC Basic Vehicle History Check today, powered by HPI
When buying a used car, discovering its hidden past is essential before handing over your hard-earned money. For a lower upfront cost, our Basic Check instantly highlights the most critical red flags, delivering affordable peace of mind.
Using trusted data from HPI (who have been checking vehicles since 1938), this report tells you immediately if a car has been recorded as stolen, marked as an insurance write-off, or imported/exported. You’ll also receive a basic alert for any outstanding debt linked to the vehicle.
Did you know 1 in 5 checked cars have had a number plate change? Sellers sometimes do this to hide a vehicle's shady history. Don't leave your purchase to chance; get the essential facts instantly and buy your next car with confidence.
RAC Basic Vehicle History Check FAQs:
-
The RAC Basic Vehicle History Check provides essential background information to help you spot immediate red flags before buying a used car. For just £9.98, the basic report instantly reveals if the vehicle has been recorded as stolen, if it has been marked as an insurance write-off, whether it has been imported or exported, and gives a basic alert if there is outstanding debt linked to the car.
-
The RAC Basic Vehicle History Check will alert you if there is outstanding debt linked to the vehicle, giving you a simple "yes or no" warning. However, it does not provide full finance agreement details. If you want to see the specific finance company, agreement type, and the date the agreement was recorded, you will need to upgrade to the RAC Full Vehicle History Check.
-
Yes, checking for theft and write-offs are two of the core features of the RAC Basic Check. The report queries official police and insurance databases to tell you if the vehicle is currently recorded as stolen or if it has previously been declared an insurance write-off. Note that while the basic check alerts you to a write-off status, the detailed breakdown of the write-off category is reserved for the Full Check.
-
No, mileage discrepancy checks and full MOT histories are not included in the £9.98 Basic Vehicle History Check. Mileage clocking is a common issue in the used car market, and an MOT history reveals past failures and advisories. To access this vital data, alongside exclusive RAC breakdown data and the number of previous owners, we highly recommend purchasing the RAC Full Vehicle History Check for just £14.99.
-
The £30,000 RAC Data Guarantee - which protects you against financial loss if crucial alert information is incorrect or missing from the databases at the time of the check - is only included with the Full Check and Multi Check packages. The Basic Check does not include this financial safety net, making the Full Check a much safer option for high-value vehicle purchases.
-
Your RAC Basic Vehicle History Check is generated instantly. As soon as you enter the vehicle’s registration number and complete the payment, the essential alerts (stolen, write-off, import/export, and basic debt status) will be displayed on your screen.
