Latest articles on HPI Check 
Growing influence of CO2 emissions on consumer car buying decisions(06/04/2011)
According to a new survey of UK car dealers from HPI, there is a 52% increase of dealers confirming that CO2 emissions influence customers’ purchasing decision in 2010, compared to 2007, thus confirming the growing influence of CO2 emissions on consumer car buying decisions. With the growing focus on carbon emissions, many dealers are choosing to download the HPI CO2Certificate, which can provide customers with clear ‘at a glance’ information on the running costs, fuel consumption and environ... [more]
All used car and motorcycle buyers should be concerned about cloning(11/08/2010)
Cloning is the identity fraud of the vehicle world. Criminal gangs steal a vehicle, and then give it the identity of a similar vehicle already on the road. The criminals disguise the unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and replace it with that of another similar vehicle legally out on the road, as well as using a stolen V5 document to further legitimise its identity. Cloning is commonly considered a problem that primarily affects cars. However, the Metropolitan Police Stolen V... [more]
Gleaming paintwork and a sparkling interior may be covering a multitude of sins(18/02/2010)
HPI is urging used car buyers to be vigilant and take advantage of the tools available to guard against buying a dud. For the fourth year in a row, independent traders have topped the Consumer Direct list as the most common customer gripe. Franchise dealers were also named and shamed within the top ten listing. However says HPI, it is a minority within the trade that is casting a shadow over the industry as a whole, and that buying has its risks whether a consumer is buying from a dealer or f... [more]
Car buyers must remain vigilant against cut n shut vehicles(08/04/2009)
A cut 'n' shut is two crashed or written-off vehicles of the same make and model which have been illegally welded or stitched together to form what appears to be a complete car. In the last ten years the number of vehicles that have been written-off by an insurance company has risen 86% to a total of 790,000, and this figure is likely to be exacerbated in the last 12 months with plummeting used car values making vehicle repair even less cost effective for insurers. This means criminals have a ... [more]
HPI Check explained(29/01/2009)
How it works: • The HPI Check verifies and crosschecks the vehicle registration mark (VRM) and the vehicle identification number (VIN), provided by the consumer to give a clear picture of a vehicle’s status. • Customers simply call HPI on 01722 422 422 or can conduct an instant online HPI Check at www.hpicheck.com. • The HPI Check costs £19.99 online, and £24.99 through the call centre. • All HPI Checks come with full telephone back-up and are supported by an instant emailed version of the r... [more]
HPI helps police track down violent car crime gang(20/01/2009)
HPI has played an instrumental role in helping the Metropolitan Police catch a violent car crime gang. In partnership with Exchange & Mart, HPI helped police track down the gang who made £1.2m by stealing dozens of cars, selling them on and then re-stealing them to sell on again. In some instances, the same cars were stolen and sold a staggering 6 times. The gang was able to do this by committing the vehicle equivalent of identity theft – car cloning. Car cloning, an increasing problem in the... [more]
Used car buyers could be putting their family at risk(18/08/2008)
Although many parents take the precaution to fit approved child seats and drive with greater care when children are on board, used car buyers who don’t check the history of a vehicle before purchase could be putting their family at risk. Nick Lindsay, Director of HPI comments: “We fully endorse this campaign and believe that reducing the number of child casualties caused in road traffic collisions is of utmost importance. We were reassured to learn from a recent HPI survey that nearly 70% o... [more]
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