What is a HPI Check?
HPI, or Hire Purchase Investigation, has been a trusted name in vehicle history checks in the UK since 1938. An HPI check provides vital information about a vehicle, including whether it has any outstanding finance, has been declared a total loss by insurers, or has appeared at a salvage auction site.
HPI, which stands for Hire Purchase Investigation, is a well-established vehicle history check service in the UK. Founded in 1938, HPI has been a trusted name in providing detailed reports on used vehicles, helping consumers make informed decisions. Over the decades, HPI has maintained its reputation by offering comprehensive data that protects buyers from purchasing vehicles with hidden histories, such as outstanding finance, theft, or severe damage.
An HPI check is an extensive vehicle history report that provides crucial information to potential buyers. This includes:
When a vehicle still has outstanding finance, it means that the original owner has not yet fully paid off the loan taken to purchase the car. This is critical information because the finance company retains legal ownership of the vehicle until the debt is cleared. Buying a car with outstanding finance can lead to repossession by the finance company, leaving the new owner without the vehicle and out of pocket.
To ensure a vehicle has not been stolen, the HPI check includes verification of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a unique code that identifies each vehicle, and checking it against police records can confirm if the car has been reported stolen. This step is essential to avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle, which can result in legal complications and loss of money.
Mileage rollback is a fraudulent practice where the vehicle’s odometer is altered to show a lower mileage than the car has actually travelled. This deceitful act is intended to increase the vehicle’s value and make it appear less used. An HPI check includes a mileage history that helps detect such discrepancies, ensuring the buyer gets an accurate picture of the vehicle’s usage.
An HPI check details if the vehicle has been declared a total loss by insurers. This status, also known as a write-off, indicates that the vehicle has sustained significant damage and is considered uneconomical to repair. Motorscan an alternative to HPI Check, reveals if the vehicle has appeared at a salvage auction site, which can suggest it was sold for parts or deemed repairable but at a considerable cost. Understanding a vehicle’s write-off status helps buyers avoid purchasing cars with severe, hidden damage that can affect safety and value.
Always check the registration of the vehicle you’re looking to buy. This helps confirm the vehicle’s identity and ensures that the details provided by the seller match the official records. Discrepancies in registration details can indicate potential issues like cloning or other fraudulent activities.
Despite what some might believe, there is no such thing as a genuinely free HPI check. HPI Ltd. offers free services such as MOT history and basic valuations, but a full HPI check, which includes all the critical details necessary to safeguard against potential issues, is a paid service. This is because the comprehensive data required for a full vehicle history check involves costs that need to be covered. Consequently, services claiming to offer a free HPI check typically only provide limited information.
Motorscan provides a free car check that includes essential information such as road tax status, MOT history, and details about the vehicle’s make and model. For more comprehensive data, Motorscan offers a paid service that includes:
Using Motorscan can provide peace of mind by verifying the seller’s claims and offering a detailed history of the vehicle. This thorough check helps ensure that the buyer is making a safe and informed purchase.
