5 min read
Buying a used car in Ireland without a history check is like buying a house without a survey. In this guide we compare the most used vehicle history services in Ireland so you can see exactly what is included and what each one costs.
We have broken down the report types, pricing tiers, and features side by side so you can make an informed decision before you buy.
At a Glance: Pricing Comparison
Pricing transparency matters. Here is a clear side-by-side comparison of what each provider charges for their core report types.
| Report Type | MotorCheck | Cartell | MyVehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Basic Check | ✓ Free reg check | ✓ Free reg check | ✓ Free reg check |
| Full Check - Single | €35 Most Comprehensive | €45 | €35 |
| Full Check - Bundle of 3 | €45 Best Value | €75 | €60 |
| History Check - Single | €20 | €20 | €25 |
| History Check - Bundle of 3 | €30 | €45 | €33 |
* Pricing accurate as of publication date. Always check provider websites for current rates.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Price is only part of the story. Below is exactly what each provider's report covers. Use the tabs to switch between the Full Check (most comprehensive) and History Check (entry-level) comparisons.
Full Check Comparison
| Feature | MotorCheck Full Check | Cartell Full Check | MyVehicle Full Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE — SINGLE CHECK | €35 | €45 | €35 |
| PRICE — 3 CHECK BUNDLE | €45 | €75 | €60 |
| Irish Data | |||
| Mileage History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Write-off Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| IE Salvage / Condition Alert Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Finance Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Stolen Vehicle Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| NCT History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Colour Changes | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Motor Tax History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| IE Taxi & Usage Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Valuation Data | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| No. of Previous Owners | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Technical Details | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Total Cost of Ownership Info | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| UK Import Data | |||
| UK Import Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| UK Finance Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Write-off Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Salvage / Condition Alert Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Stolen Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Mileage Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Taxi Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK MOT Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| Data Guarantee | |||
| Data Guarantee | ✓ Offered | ✗ Not offered | ✗ Not offered |
History Check Comparison
| Feature | MotorCheck History Check | Cartell History Check | MyVehicle History Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE — SINGLE CHECK | €20 | €20 | €25 |
| PRICE — 3 CHECK BUNDLE | €30 | €45 | €33 |
| Irish Data | |||
| Mileage History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Write-off Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| IE Salvage / Condition Alert Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Finance Check | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Stolen Vehicle Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| NCT History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Colour Changes | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Motor Tax History | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| IE Taxi & Usage Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| Valuation Data | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| No. of Previous Owners | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Technical Details | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Total Cost of Ownership Info | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included |
| UK Import Data | |||
| UK Import Check | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| UK Finance Check | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Write-off Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Salvage / Condition Alert Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Stolen Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Mileage Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK Taxi Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| UK MOT Check | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Data Guarantee | |||
| Data Guarantee | ✓ Offered | ✗ Not offered | ✗ Not offered |
MotorCheck Vehicle Report Checks: What You Pay
MotorCheck offers two main consumer report types, each available as a single check or a bundle of three, so you only pay for what you need.
MotorCheck
Full Check
€35 / single
€45 / bundle of 3
- Mileage Check
- Write-off Check
- Condition Alert Check
- Taxi & Usage Check
- NCT / MOT History
- Road Tax History
- UK Import Check
- Finance Check
- Valuation Data
MotorCheck
History Check
€20 / single
€30 / bundle of 3
- Mileage Check
- Write-off Check
- Condition Alert Check
- Taxi & Usage Check
- NCT / MOT History
- Road Tax History
- UK Import Check
Why Does This Matter When Buying a Used Car?
Every month, thousands of used cars are bought and sold across Ireland, and sellers don't always disclose the full history. A thorough vehicle check protects you by uncovering outstanding finance (which could leave you liable to repossession after purchase), write-off status, mileage tampering, stolen car alerts, UK import data, previous taxi use, and motor tax history.
The question is not whether to run a check, because you absolutely should. It is which service gives you the most complete picture at the fairest price.
Outstanding finance is the biggest hidden risk
If the previous owner took out a loan against the car and has not paid it back, the finance company can legally repossess the vehicle, even from you as the innocent buyer. MotorCheck includes a full finance check as part of the Full Check report.
UK import data matters more than you think
With the volume of UK imports flowing into the Irish market, cross-border history is essential. A car that was written off in the UK might arrive in Ireland with a clean Irish identity. Unlike our competitors, MotorCheck includes UK import data across all report types, covering mileage, write-off, stolen, MOT, taxi history and more.
Our Verdict
When comparing these services on price and features, MotorCheck comes out ahead at every tier.
Get your FREE report now. Check Irish and UK vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free reg check enough before buying?
No. A free car check gives you basic make and model confirmation. The free check will also confirm if the vehicle has been imported as a used vehicle from outside Ireland. It will not tell you about finance, write-off status, mileage discrepancies, or stolen vehicle alerts. Think of it as the starting point, not the finish line.
Which report type should I buy?
If you are buying a car that may have been imported from the UK, or want full peace of mind, the Full Check at €35 covers everything. For a straightforward Irish-registered car, the History Check at €20 covers the core essentials.
Do I need a separate report for every car I view?
If you are actively shopping and likely to view several cars, the bundle of 3 reports offers better value. MotorCheck's Full Check bundle is €45 for three checks, which works out at €15 per check.
What if the report shows a problem?
Our expert customer service team is here to help. Feel free to ask them any question about your report and always verify discrepancies with them to rule out possible data errors. If in doubt, walk away. A report flagging outstanding finance, write-off history, or mileage discrepancy is doing exactly what it should, protecting you from a potentially costly mistake. The small cost of a report can save you thousands.
Pricing information is accurate at time of publication and sourced from publicly available data. This article is produced by the MotorCheck editorial team. Always verify current pricing on provider websites before purchasing.
