Checks before buying a car privately - stolen etc?

[jpmad4it2]

Hi all.

I've sold my Clio 172 cup and I've put a deposit down on an r26. Bye bye cliosport . Thanks to everyone who has helped me here over the years.

Anyway, I've done a cheap hpi check but is it the same as the official hpi check on their website? I think it's £20.

Is the only real way to get the vin number off the car and check online?

Also, if the hpi check says it's clear and the car ends up being stolen, are you covered? What are your rights?

Any help would be great.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

HPI check it, Experian Check it.

It may cost you £60 to do both of those, but at least A) you're covered and B) its a fully comprehensive check.

To say you don't want to spend £60 checking a £10,000 car is a bit short sighted really isn't it.

 

[jpmad4it2]

thanks, yeah I totally agree about spending the money to check it.

I've just been to look at a car for my girlfriend, and the guy at the dealership did me a HPI check as they get them for free. It came back clear. We also rang the company that holds the finance deal for the car, and it is settled with no outstanding finance left on it.

Is that all I need to do to cover myself?

 

[Benny06]

Think so, unless you fancy being bent over by the AA/RAC for them to come and 'inspect' it.

Just have a good look around, lift up the matts, check the seats all fold etc and look under them, check all the electrics work, AC, bonnet catch, have it 'cold started' if you can and listen for anything that sounds unhealthy.

Don't forget to kick the tyres too

 

[Gaz_]

Aye, boot carpet up etc etc

 

[R-Sport.]

hpi guarentee


step 2
Make sure you have provided us with the mileage, VIN/chassis number and the V5 serial number and issue date. Your HPI Guarantee is not activated without this information. You can update your check here.

Step 3
The HPI Guarantee also requires that you follow some simple buying rules:

You will NOT be covered if the purchase price you pay is 30% below the retail market value.
If you buy privately, you MUST buy from the registered keeper as stated on the V5C.
You will NOT be covered for a cloned vehicle if the vehicle purchase price is greater than £3,000 and you have paid in cash.
Step 4
Make sure you're legally covered to drive the vehicle by using our 7 Days FREE Driveaway Insurance, provided by Aviva.

You can benefit from up to 7 days free insurance cover when you get a no obligation quote from Aviva. Provided the car you want to buy is a passenger car or light commercial vehicle (up to 3.5T) you can benefit from this special offer. Aviva will send you a cover note which you can use to insure your new vehicle.


To find out more simply call Aviva on 0800 4047363 and quote your HPI reference number shown above. The reference number in relation to this offer is valid for a period of one month.