The Best Bumper Alternative for Used Car Buyers
Bumper is a UK-focused service. Automano is the pan-European alternative: free unlimited VIN decoding plus reports from €7.90 combining DVLA, MOT history, manufacturer recalls and EU data. No signup required.
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Free
VIN decoding, unlimited
4
Official sources crossed
€7.90
Full report
In one sentence:
Bumper is a UK-focused vehicle check service; Automano is the pan-European alternative with free unlimited VIN decoding and reports from €7.90 combining DVLA, NHTSA, manufacturer recalls and EU data — no signup required.
TL;DR:
Free unlimited VIN decoder, no signup required
Full reports from €7.90 combining official government sources
Bumper is UK-only — Automano covers 25 European markets
Manufacturer recalls included in every report
Common questions
What is Bumper and what does it check?
Bumper (bumper.co.uk) is a UK vehicle check and car-finance platform designed for UK-registered vehicles. Their free check returns basic reg-plate data. Full reports with accident history, outstanding finance and mileage verification are gated behind paid tiers.
Is there a completely free Bumper alternative?
Yes. Automano's VIN decoder is free with no signup. TotalCarCheck also offers a free check with 20+ data points including MOT history. These services are useful as a first filter before a full paid report.
How much does Automano's full report cost vs Bumper?
Automano's cross-source report is €7.90. Bumper's paid tiers range from approximately £5 to £15 (roughly €6–€18). The key difference is that Automano cross-references DVLA data, full MOT history, manufacturer recall notices and EU import traces in one document.
Does Bumper work on non-UK cars?
No. Bumper is designed for UK-registered vehicles. If you're checking an EU import — a car originally registered in Germany, France or Poland — Bumper cannot run a history check. Automano covers VINs from 25 European markets.
Last updated: 2026-05-26
What is Bumper — and why look for an alternative?
Bumper (bumper.co.uk) is a UK vehicle check and car-finance platform designed for UK-registered vehicles. Their free check covers basic reg-plate data; full reports are gated behind paid tiers.
Automano is the pan-European alternative. Free unlimited VIN decoder with no signup, plus a €7.90 report cross-referencing DVLA, MOT history, NHTSA recall notices and EU import data — sources that Bumper does not cover.
Price comparison at a glance
Bumper:
Free basic / £5–£15 paid
TotalCarCheck:
Free (20+ data points)
Automano:
Free decoder / €7.90 report
Bumper vs Automano vs TotalCarCheck vs DVLA
| Feature | Automano | Bumper | TotalCarCheck | DVLA (Gov.uk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VIN / reg-plate decode | ✓ Free, unlimited | ✓ Free (basic) | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
Vehicle history report | ✓ Full PDF report | ✓ Paid tier | ✓ Free (20+ fields) | ✗ Not offered |
Full MOT / inspection history | ✓ All records | ✓ Paid tier | ✓ Free | ✓ Free (DVSA) |
Manufacturer recalls | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
Free tier depth | Full VIN decode | Basic reg info | 20+ data points | Tax + inspection date |
Full report price | €7.90 | £5–£15 | Free | Free |
Why choose Automano over Bumper?
Four reasons Automano gives you a more complete picture of any used car.
More official sources
DVLA + NHTSA + EU import traces + manufacturer recalls in one report. Bumper does not cross-reference EU data.
No signup required
Enter a VIN or reg plate and get results instantly. No email, no account, no marketing consent box.
Lower full-report price
€7.90 for the cross-source PDF — less than Bumper's mid-tier check converted to euros.
Works on EU imports
Bumper is UK-registration only. Automano covers VINs from 25 European markets, including imports.
26
data fields per report
€0
for VIN decoding
30s
to get results
25
markets covered
Frequently asked questions
What is Bumper and what does it check?
Bumper (bumper.co.uk) is a UK vehicle check and car-finance platform designed for UK-registered vehicles. Their free check returns basic reg-plate data. Full reports with accident history, outstanding finance and mileage verification are gated behind paid tiers.
Is there a completely free Bumper alternative?
Yes. Automano's VIN decoder is free with no signup. TotalCarCheck also offers a free check with 20+ data points including MOT history. These services are useful as a first filter before a full paid report.
How much does Automano's full report cost vs Bumper?
Automano's cross-source report is €7.90. Bumper's paid tiers range from approximately £5 to £15 (roughly €6–€18). The key difference is that Automano cross-references DVLA data, full MOT history, manufacturer recall notices and EU import traces in one document.
Does Bumper work on non-UK cars?
No. Bumper is designed for UK-registered vehicles. If you're checking an EU import — a car originally registered in Germany, France or Poland — Bumper cannot run a history check. Automano covers VINs from 25 European markets.
Does Automano check outstanding finance like Bumper?
Automano covers DVLA administrative status, full MOT history, manufacturer recall notices and EU import traces. For a dedicated finance check, UK specialists like HPI Check or CarVeto are better equipped. Automano is strongest for cross-source history verification and recall data.
How does Automano compare to just using the DVLA website?
The DVLA service is free and returns tax and inspection expiry dates plus basic spec. Automano goes further: full VIN decode (26+ fields), complete MOT history with mileage at each test, NHTSA manufacturer recall notices and EU import history.
Can I see full MOT history without paying for Bumper?
Yes. The DVSA offers free MOT history at check.mothistory.service.gov.uk for any UK-registered vehicle. TotalCarCheck also surfaces MOT history free. Automano bundles MOT history into its paid €7.90 report alongside DVLA data, recall notices and EU import traces.
Related free tools
Start your used-car research with these free Automano tools.
Free VIN Decoder
Decode any VIN instantly — make, model, engine, options, country of manufacture. No signup.
Used Car Check
Step-by-step guide to checking a used car before you buy — what to look for and which checks to run.
Start your vehicle check — Bumper alternative
Unlimited VIN decoding, no signup. Full cross-source report from €7.90.
Další bezplatné nástroje pro kontrolu vozidel, které srovnáváme
Podívejte se, jak si Automano stojí ve srovnání s ostatními bezplatnými i placenými službami historie vozidel na vašem trhu.