HPI Check
 | |
| Product type | Vehicle History Check |
|---|---|
| Owner | HPI |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Introduced | 1938 |
| Markets | United Kingdom |
| Tagline | For Smarter Automotive Decisions |
| Website | hpicheck |
HPI Check is a vehicle history check service[1] provided exclusively by HPI in the UK. HPI pioneered the vehicle history check in 1938.[2] The HPI Check produces a report that provides information about a vehicle's history, mainly if it has outstanding finance, or if it is written off, stolen or clocked, among other things.[3]
The term "HPI Check" is a term widely used to describe an actual vehicle history check thought-out the motoring industry in the UK.[4] However, "HPI Check" is a registered trade name[5] of HPI.
An HPI Check is usually performed just before purchasing a used car from a dealer or a private buyer to discover whether the vehicle has a hidden history. The check can reveal vital alerts that can help protect used car buyers from fraudsters. An HPI Check does not only check the history of used cars but can be used to check any vehicle that is registered with the DVLA including; vans, motorbikes, quad bikes and caravans.
The HPI Check history report data comes from the DVLA, the National Mileage Register, Police records, insurance companies, finance houses and industry bodies. The HPI Check Report is available to both consumers and dealers all over the UK.
History
The HPI Check was originally created in 1938[6] by HPI in response to the rise of fraudulent re-financing of vehicles.[7] In time, more information was added to the HPI Check report: stolen vehicle information was added in 1947 and car accident history data in the 80s.
Contents of the HPI Check report
The HPI Check produces an vehicle history report that includes a check on the following:[8]
- Outstanding finance. Standard finance agreements work in a similar way to mortgage agreements - the lender/finance company own the vehicle until the debt is settled. That means the person selling the car may be the registered keeper, but not the owner of the vehicle. That will continue to be the finance company until the loan agreement has been paid off.
- Written off. If a vehicle is damaged and an insurance claim is processed for it, the insurer will either authorise repairs to the vehicle, or write it off (declare it a total loss). If it is written off, it will be recorded in a write off category, A, B, C, or D. A and B cars are so badly damaged they should never appear back on the road. C and D vehicles can be repaired and returned to the road, but you should exercise caution with them, and check the repairs have been done correctly and fully. A vehicle inspection should be able to confirm the quality of repairs and general road worthiness of the vehicle.
- Stolen
- Mileage verification[9]
- Number of previous owners
- Number of plate changes
- Vehicle identification data
- Logbook loans
- Recorded as scrapped
- Vehicle valuation
- Vehicle identification number/chassis check
- Imported/exported
- Estimated fuel costs
References
- ^ "What is an HPI check? - Car News, Reviews & Buyers Guides". Car News, Reviews & Buyers Guides. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ Cave, Andrew (2003-07-01). "HPI valued at £70m in latest sale". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "Q&A: Buying a used car". BBC. 2010-03-18. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "What is an HPI Check? - HPI Explained. - Netcar". Netcar. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "Case details for trade mark UK00002387858 "HPI CHECK"". www.ipo.gov.uk. Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "Beware of 'virtual car seller' scam". Action Fraud. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "How to avoid the pitfalls of buying a car". Mirror Online. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ Brignall, Miles (2014-08-04). "I paid £4,800 cash for a car that turns out not to be mine". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
- ^ "What is an HPI check? How to do an HPI check?". wewantanycar.com Automotive Blog - We Want Any Car. Retrieved 2016-04-12.