carVertical review 2026
- Best for Damage History
The most detailed damage and mileage history in our comparison, with photos and international records. Check UK finance and write-off coverage for your car before you buy.
- Full check price
- £39.99
- Product compared
- Vehicle history report
- Data guarantee
- None listed
- Best for
- Imported cars and buyers who want damage photos
Verdict
carVertical takes a different approach from UK-focused providers. It draws on over 1,000 international data sources, and its reports are strongest on damage records (often with photos), odometer rollback detection, stolen-vehicle records, keepers and valuation.
It ranks near the top of our comparison for the depth and clarity of that history data and the most visual report we reviewed. Its official pages don’t list a UK outstanding finance check or insurance write-off categories, so check that coverage for your car before you buy.
How carVertical scores
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage and included checks | 30% | 9.0 | Damage records with photos, odometer rollback detection, stolen-vehicle records, keepers, scrapped status and valuation, drawn from over 1,000 international sources. UK outstanding finance and write-off categories aren’t listed. |
| Price and value | 25% | 8.0 | £39.99 for one report, with bundles cutting the price per report by 32% for two and 45% for three, for the most detailed damage and mileage history in our comparison. |
| Risk clarity | 20% | 9.0 | Damage, mileage and theft findings are presented clearly, with photos where available, per carVertical’s published examples. |
| Pricing transparency | 10% | 8.0 | A clear £39.99 single-report price, with bundle discounts stated up front. |
| Report usability | 15% | 10.0 | A highly visual report with damage records and photos, per carVertical’s published examples. |
| Weighted score | 100% | 8.8 | Sum of each score × its weight. |
What the carVertical full check includes
Based on what carVertical lists for its Vehicle history report. “Not listed” means the provider doesn’t mention it, not that it has confirmed it’s missing.
- Not listed by provider Outstanding finance core Not listed by provider
- Included: Stolen-vehicle records from multiple databases Stolen vehicle check core Included: Stolen-vehicle records from multiple databases
- Not listed by provider: Damage and total-loss records listed; UK write-off categories not named Insurance write-off core Not listed by provider: Damage and total-loss records listed; UK write-off categories not named
- Included: Odometer rollback detection from multiple sources Mileage check core Included: Odometer rollback detection from multiple sources
- Not listed by provider MOT history Not listed by provider
- Included Previous keepers Included
- Not listed by provider Plate changes Not listed by provider
- Not listed by provider Imported / exported Not listed by provider
- Included Scrapped marker Included
- Not listed by provider Colour changes Not listed by provider
- Not listed by provider VIN / logbook match Not listed by provider
- Not listed by provider High-risk marker Not listed by provider
- Included Valuation Included
- Included: Damage records, often with photos Damage records Included: Damage records, often with photos
Packages and prices
| Package | Price | Checks | Finance, stolen and write-off | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle history report compared | £39.99 | 1 | No | |
| 2-report bundle | Not published | 2 | No | carVertical says 32% cheaper per report. |
| 3-report bundle | Not published | 3 | No | carVertical says 45% cheaper per report. Unused reports valid for 6 months. |
£39.99 for one report. Bundles cut the price per report by 32% for two and 45% for three. Multi-check: 2-report bundle (32% off per report) or 3-report bundle (45% off per report).
Strengths
- Damage records, often with photos
- History drawn from international sources, useful for imports
- Odometer rollback detection
Weaknesses
- £39.99 for one report is the highest single-report price in this comparison
- UK outstanding finance and write-off categories not clearly listed
- No data guarantee found
Pricing analysis
One carVertical report costs £39.99. Bundles cut the price per report by 32% for two and 45% for three, and unused reports stay valid for six months.
Guarantee: No data guarantee found. A report return policy exists.
Usability analysis
carVertical’s published examples show a visual report with damage records and photos, which is easy to scan. It earns the highest usability score in our comparison.
Who carVertical is best for
Imported cars and buyers who want damage photos. If the car is imported, or you mainly want to see damage history and photos, carVertical adds information UK-focused checks may not have. Pair it with a UK check that covers finance and write-offs.
Alternatives to carVertical
- Carpeep #1 · 9.0/10 · £15 Every UK core check, including finance and write-off, for £15.
- RAC #5 · 8.3/10 · £14.99 Lists import/export status with a £30,000 guarantee for £14.99.
- MotorCheck #4 · 8.6/10 · £9.99 A full UK check with a £30,000 guarantee for £9.99.
Final verdict
carVertical is our Best for Damage History and ranks near the top overall for the depth and clarity of its history data. Check that its report covers outstanding finance and write-off status for your car before relying on it.
Sources and verification
Facts on this page were checked against carVertical’s own website on . Verification confidence: Low. UK outstanding finance and write-off categories are not named on the official pages we reviewed.
Data source: carVertical says it draws on over 1,000 international data sources.
- Pricing (opens in a new tab) (accessed 6 October 2026)
- What may appear in a report (opens in a new tab) (accessed 6 October 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Send us a correction.