You’ve found the car you want to buy and you’re happy that it’s mechanically sound. Now there’s just one more thing you should do to ensure you’re making the right decision – get HPI to check out the used car’s history. Does your next used car have a hidden history? Check with HPI today. With over 65 years of experience in the industry, HPI can tell you whether your next used vehicle has been written off, has been clocked, has outstanding finance on it or has been registered as stolen. HPI can instantly tell you if your next used car is still on finance/has been registered as stolen/has been written-off. Find out the truth about your next used car/bike. HPI use the latest information from the DVLA, Police, finance and insurance houses to give you the full picture. For less than a tank of fuel, get peace of mind on your next used vehicle with an HPI Check. Backed by the HPI Guarantee, the HPI Check is the best way to find out the hidden history behind your next used vehicle.
HPI Limited - Guarantee Summary
HPI Limited work hard to ensure that the data we receive and manage is the best available but no data source is perfect. That's why your HPI vehicle check includes the HPI Guarantee. Subject to the HPI Guarantee Terms and Conditions, the HPI Guarantee provides up to £10,000 reimbursement of financial loss you suffer arising from inaccurate or incomplete information HPI Limited supply to you as part of the HPI Check. As you'd expect from HPI, the cover is the most comprehensive available today.
Here is a summary of the main HPI Limited conditions:
- You need to carry out the HPI Check yourself, before you buy the vehicle - the Guarantee is not transferable.
- You must supply HPI Limited with the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to be eligible for maximum cover available under the HPI Guarantee. The HPI Guarantee will not apply if HPI Limited advise you that the VRM does not match the VIN, so make sure the information you supply is accurate (pay particular attention to '5's and 'S's, '2's and 'Z's).
- Before you buy the vehicle, you must make sure that all vehicle details provided by HPI match both the vehicle and its accompanying paperwork, and notify us of any discrepancies. As a minimum, you must obtain and check the V5 registration document with HPI Limited, using HPI Limited's Document Check facility, prior to purchase.
- You must check that all the VIN markings on the vehicle match each other and the corresponding V5 registration document.
- You must keep and produce to HPI Limited on request a written receipt for your purchase, signed by the seller, containing the key information needed to identify the seller and the vehicle (e.g. the seller's name and address, the identity and mileage of the vehicle purchased, the date of purchase and the amount you paid).
- The cover provided is based on the car's value. In the case where HPI provides incorrect data affecting vehicle title (such as theft or outstanding finance), the HPI Guarantee will cover up to £10,000, either in compensation or the costs needed to obtain good title to the vehicle (at HPI's discretion). In the case where HPI provides incorrect data affecting the vehicle's condition, the HPI Guarantee will cover up to £2,000 or 20% of the market value of the car, whichever is the lower.
- The HPI Guarantee does not cover the stolen MOT service, nor a vehicle's descriptive information (including import status), mileage, value, or V5 registration document check.
- The HPI Guarantee is valid for one year from the date of the check.
- The vehicle must be bought and registered in mainland Britain (i.e. it excludes Northern Ireland). If it has been imported, HPI does not guarantee its history prior to arrival in this country.
- If you make a claim under the HPI Guarantee, we reserve the right to inspect the vehicle and to make the final decision as to its condition and value.
You are advised to consult the full HPI Guarantee Terms and Conditions for full details of the HPI Limited cover provided. These are also printed on the back of every Certificate of Confirmation, where you will find details of how to register a claim.
What Are the Risks Of Buying A Used Car?
Outstanding finance?
Outstanding finance is the biggest risk facing used car buyers, with 24 out of every 100 cars checked by HPI still subject to a finance agreement. If the loan remains unpaid when you purchase the vehicle, you will not acquire title to it, nor will you be protected by the Sale of Goods Act (1979). Checking with HPI first will help you avoid this all too common problem.
Written-off?
Every year, nearly half a million cars involved in accidents are declared by insurers to have been too badly damaged to be repaired safely - but some still find their way back on the road. On average, 4 out of every 100 vehicles we check has, at some stage, been written-off. Fortunately, with access to more car data than anyone else, an HPI used car history check will help to avoid putting yourself and your family at risk.
Stolen?
HPI identifies nearly 30 stolen vehicles every day. Many get sold as 'bargains' to unsuspecting buyers who then have to return the car to its rightful owner. Checking with HPI means you'll reduce the risk of losing your money, by finding out if the car has any hidden history.
Clocked?
Five out of every 100 checks against the HPI National Mileage Register reveal mileage discrepancies. HPI's National Mileage Register holds around 85 million readings - more than anyone else - helping you to avoid paying over the odds for a car that's potentially been clocked.
Cloned?
Many stolen vehicles go on to be cloned to disguise their identity so that they appear legitimate. A cloned car is one which has illegally taken the identity of a legitimately owned vehicle. This means there will be two or more cars with the same identity, including the same make, model, mark, vehicle registration, and identification number. Vehicles being sold for cash, below the market price or at places such as service stations may have been cloned.
What HPI Limited Check?
Outstanding finance
HPI uses the UK's most accurate database of finance agreements, with over 7 million current records. 24 out of every 100 vehicles checked with HPI turn out to have outstanding car finance. If the loan remains unpaid when the car changes hands, you stand to lose the car or the money outstanding on it.
Previous damage
4 out of every 100 vehicles checked with HPI has been written-off as a result of damage or theft. Although some can be safely repaired and put back on the road, others are only fit for scrap. Since 1997, the HPI Check has used the Association of British Insurers' coding on the level of damage sustained, helping you tell the difference.
Inspection report
The HPI car history check will tell you if a vehicle that was previously declared a total loss has passed an independent structural examination and is now deemed as being roadworthy. If the seller cannot provide a Thatcham-approved inspection report, copies of most inspections are available from HPI at additional cost.
Stolen vehicles
HPI identifies nearly 30 stolen vehicles every day. Sourcing information from the Police National Computer, every day HPI confirms that over 100 vehicles for sale are actually stolen.
Plate transfer
15 out of every 100 cars checked by HPI has at least one plate change. Usually there is nothing to worry about, but a change of plate can be used to hide a car's past. By searching nearly 4 million records stretching back over 10 years - further than any other source - the HPI Check will investigate the reason for any plate change and reveal potential problems such as if the car was a write-off in a former life.
National Mileage Register
The HPI Check uses the database of the National Mileage Register to search around 85 million records. It provides the best intelligence available to protect against clocking and will help you decide whether the car that's showing a mileage of 32,000 may have actually covered 132,000 miles.
Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
HPI will tell you whether the VRM and VIN correspond to DVLA and DVLNI records. If they don't, you may be looking at a ringer. Always check that the vehicle's identification numbers stamped into the bodywork, on the chassis plate and behind the windscreen match the documentation and look original.
Vehicle identity
The HPI Check will reveal if the GTi that's caught your eye is really a CL in disguise. Using over 60 million entries recorded at the DVLA and DVLNI (N. Ireland), it confirms the make, model, derivative, where possible, (i.e. different types of a particular model such as special and luxury editions), door plan, original colour, transmission, and engine size, as well as how many times it has changed hands. You'll also be told the year the car was manufactured and the date it was first registered.
Security Watch
Many types of organisation (such as car rental companies) use HPI's Security Watch service to register vehicles that should not be put up for sale. The HPI Check will tell you if the car you want to buy is one of 120,000 vehicles that could be being sold illegally.
Valuation
Using industry data that is updated monthly, the HPI Check will indicate the current market value of the car you're considering buying - so you can see if you're getting a good deal.
Document Check
HPI's document check facility allows you to find out if the paperwork is suspect. We check the V5 registration document's issue date and serial number, as well as the number on the MOT.
HPI Limited Top 10 Tips - Buying Cars Privately
1. Set a realistic budget including running costs
Build in the cost of insurance and servicing when working out how much you can afford to spend, bearing in mind that older used cars can be cheap to buy but more expensive to run and repair. Compare prices of equivalent models from different sources - dealers, ads, auctions, and websites - and get some estimates of typical repairs.
2. View the car in daylight, at the seller's address
Arrange a daytime viewing at the seller's home so that you can confirm that their address is the same as in the vehicle's V5 registration document. You should be suspicious when:
- the seller's advert only gives a mobile number or specifies a time to call a land line, as it may be a public phone box
- the same phone number appears in several different ads
- the seller insists on meeting you away from their own home
Ideally, take a friend for security and to act as another pair of eyes.
3. Look for signs of clocking
Lowering the mileage of a car by turning back, or 'clocking', the odometer is a common trick used to increase the perceived value of the car. Excessive wear on the steering wheel, gearshift, seats, and foot pedals are all clues to a car that has been driven for a long time. Contact the previous owners in the V5 registration document to ask if they remember the car's mileage when they had the car, to help you check the current mileage. However, remember that the first owner usually has the highest mileage and UK-issued V5 registration documents only show the last two keepers; you may be able to find the original owner's details in the service book.
4. Check that all the documents match up
Make sure you validate the details in the V5 registration document. Check that the service and insurance records, MOT certificate (if applicable) and receipts match up, and also check the service history. Use the V5 registration document to contact previous owners to confirm the car's history. If the car turns out to be stolen or is being used as security for a finance agreement, it will not belong to you - even though you bought it in good faith. And you may have to go to court to prove that you had no idea there was anything wrong. If it is proved that you had reason to be suspicious, you could end up losing your money.
5. Check for forged documents
Check the V5 registration document issue date and serial number, as well as those on any MOT certificates. Compare the date of any keeper change in the V5 registration document with the results from your HPI vehicle registration check to ensure the documents haven't been forged or altered.
6. Beware of false car keys
Separate keys for the driver's door and boot may indicate prior damage or theft.
7. Take a test drive on a variety of roads
Make sure you are properly insured and then test drive the car for at least 10-15 miles on different types of road. Watch for smoke when you start the engine and listen carefully to ensure that it's running smoothly. Also, pay special attention to the steering, checking to see if it pulls under braking. Ideally, take a friend with you for a second opinion.
8. Get a mechanical inspection
An independent inspection by organisations such as the RAC or Green Flag can help to identify potentially expensive mechanical problems and signs of major accident repair. The results will either reassure you that the vehicle is a good buy, tell you to walk away, or give you greater bargaining power.
9. Check with HPI before you buy
Avoid handing over any money until you've checked the car's history and status with HPI. Make sure the information HPI Limited supply matches the vehicle and the documentation in every respect for total peace of mind and to ensure that you're covered by HPI Limited's guarantee.
10. If you feel something's not right - walk away
Try not to get emotionally attached to a car or let the paintwork or price blind you to other aspects that don't feel right. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
HPI Limited Top 10 Tips - Buying Cars From A Dealer
1. What should you expect?
Dealerships must abide by the law and sell good quality vehicles that are correctly described. They should offer some kind of warranty and be using services such as HPI and the National Mileage Register to check the vehicles they are selling. Before you buy, ask to see the dealer's HPI certificate. If they can't provide this proof, then get a check done yourself to be on the safe side.
2. Codes of practice
For added reassurance, find out which of your local dealers belongs to a trade association that requires the firm to abide by a code of practice. Contact the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) or Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) for a list of members.
3. The laws
Dealers have to comply with a whole range of legislation, some of which is specifically targeted at the motor trade, including (links open in a new window):
4. What is 'satisfactory' quality?
Sale of Goods legislation rules that the car must meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as acceptable, bearing in mind the way it was described, how much it cost, and any other relevant circumstances. Apart from usual wear and tear, a used vehicle must be free from defects - except ones pointed out to you and those which should have been uncovered by an inspection (but only if one has been done). Legislation also requires dealers to sell cars only where they have good title.
5. What does 'as described' mean?
Under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, all descriptions applied to a vehicle must be true. For instance, a car cannot be advertised as having had one careful owner if it has actually had three.
6. What does 'reasonably fit for the purpose' mean?
If you have said that you will be using a vehicle for towing a caravan, for example, it must be fit for that purpose - unless the dealer has specified otherwise. Ask for written confirmation of the purpose as proof. For extra reassurance, HPI offers a unique outfit matching service to ensure the car you want to buy can legally tow your caravan. For a fee, you can check the match at www.towsafe.co.uk.
7. Does a car have to be roadworthy?
It's not illegal for a dealer to sell you a car that has been a total loss, provided that you have been made aware of the fact. However, the Road Traffic Acts provide that any vehicle sold for road use must be in roadworthy condition. If the seller cannot provide a Thatcham-approved inspection report, copies of most inspections are available from HPI at an additional cost.
8. What should you do if you are unhappy with the vehicle you have purchased?
Return to the dealer and, if he refuses to take action, contact the following organisations for advice [links open in a new window]:
More About HPI Limited
HPI Limited - The original and the best
HPI have been checking the histories of used cars since 1938. HPI Limited were the first to introduce this invaluable service and HPI Limited's many years of experience in the industry have made 'getting an HPI Check' a commonly used phrase. But if you want a vehicle history check carried out by the real experts, always look for the official HPI logo. HPI Limited have access to more car data than anyone else and HPI Limited's thorough investigations have helped hundreds of thousands of people avoid purchasing cars that have been stolen, clocked, written-off, or that have unpaid finance against them, saving them from unnecessary costs and heartache.
Why HPI is important?
HPI's role in the second-hand car market is crucial. It provides private car buyers, car dealers, finance houses, and the insurance industry with access to information on all UK registered vehicles. Using HPI ensures that vehicles are legal and will really belong to the people who buy them.
As well as confirming whether a vehicle has outstanding car finance, is recorded as stolen, or has previously been written-off, HPI's used car check also confirms many other details, including the make, model, colour, door plan, and engine size. HPI Limited's data checks that these match the descriptions recorded against the vehicle at the time of manufacture, protecting the interests of the motorist and helping dealers meet their legal obligations. HPI Limited also have access to the National Mileage Register, the UK's largest database of mileages, to alert car buyers and dealers to potential mileage discrepancies.
HPI Limited - The way forward
Today, most manufacturers include HPI vehicle registration checks as part of their approved used car programmes. And since HPI Limited's online service was launched, 60% of all HPI Limited's vehicle status checks are now processed by HPI on the internet. As the pioneers of used car history checks, HPI will continue to invest in new technology to provide dealers and used car buyers with the most reliable information, and strive to make access to vehicle even easier.
HPI Limited - Historic beginnings
HPI was formed in 1938. When the fraudulent re-financing of motorcars was becoming a real problem, the six main lenders gathered data on their hire purchase agreements, to ensure that people couldn't repeatedly use their cars as security for multiple loans.
Important dates in HPI's history
1938 - HPI founded
1947 - Police provide HPI with stolen vehicle information
1980s - Leading insurers provide car accident history data
1990s - HPI are sold to two leading credit referencing organisations; first Infolink, then Equifax, further expanding our range of services
1992 - HPI appointed to run CRiS on behalf of NCC
1993 - HPI used car information becomes nationally available to the general UK public
1996 - HPI electronically tag all new CRiS registered caravans
1997 - HPI and IMVA (Independent Mileage Verification Association) jointly launch the National Mileage Register
1999 - HPI launch a convenient online vehicle data check service
2000 - HPI and IMVA merge to create a new independent information company dedicated solely to the needs of the motor industry and the motoring consumer
2001 - HPI launch consumer check service online
2001 - HPI launch Motorhome MINDER on behalf of SMMT
2002 - HPI launch online service to motor trade customers, including Exchange, the online vehicle stock publishing facility
2004 - HPI acquired by Norwich Union Insurance, the UK's largest insurer.
