Cheap HPI Check for Cars

bignose2

What really annoys me about all this is why the hell the government don't set up a official web site at the cheapest possible price. They are trying to stamp out illegal & underhanded practices but without these sorts of threads and own investigations we either think it too expensive & don't do it or use the wrong checkers. I believe in market forces but sometimes it just does not make sense.

I must be super easy to make sure all the data, finance, insurance & MOT etc information and whatever check the main companies use etc use or needed to be available to (if not already) a government central database and charge £2 or £3, perhaps less as non-profit making & especially if everybody used it because it was cheap, surely would break even.

This would then make it much/or a bit, harder for dodgy practices to continue or a least set down a decent minimum level of protection and ££ guarantee (perhaps even banded to 10k, 20k etc etc) that can be compared across companies, with a maximum fee. I am not sure there is really decent competition. I am sure the main players would some how manage to turn a profit if told your max fee for this service is £3-£4 per check.

Also why when you buy a block 4 or 5 pack they expire after a few months. OK you might not need to buy a car that frequently but going back a few years, I bought a block for one car to only use 2 out of 5 & 4 or 5 months later wanted to buy another car and they had run out. I thought computers and databases remembered stuff quite well. Can't think of a reason why they should need to expire?

This should be the same for credit agencies but that's another story.

forgotmyname

They could setup a cheaper alternative but they would only sell it off to the highest bidder.

Positions open if you want to create a new database and charge less.

lipjam

... no probs already done

lipjam

Got a free check (no finance) totalcarcheck.co.uk

forgotmyname

A free check that excludes finance? And err everything else you want an HPI check for.

Does it tell you anything the Ford and DVLA website doesnt? No in fact it give incorrect information.

Seems my old car doesnt have a VIC marker, Odd because the guy i sold it to made a claim on it and they wrote it off. he bought it back to repair.

Estimated miles is way out. 93k miles. It had more than that when i bought it and sold it with 150k miles.

Poor attempt at SPAM... At least having a website worth spamming for.

lipjam

The car I am checking is 7 year old and costs £2300. Not much chance of outstanding finance... I did go to the DVLA website with the v5c number seller provided and got a full MOT history. I am assured it's road worthy. Should I need anything else?

Related question the engine has been swapped with a newer same spec lower mileage one due to cam belt failure does this effect insurance?

forgotmyname

Yes you can get a 7 year old car on finance. Yes it can be written off and your SPAM site seems not to be accurate.

Insurance may require an engineers report for a swapped engine. But maybe that only applies if changing the engine size?

Does the V5C have the correct engine number?

lipjam

It's not my SPAM site!!!! I just found it....
Yes the engine number is correct on the document. However, that number won't apply anymore as it is the old one and it has been replaced. If he has changed it since last MOT should I expect any problems with future MOTs if the engine number is different?

Nodding_Donkey

lipjam wrote: »

Yes the engine number is correct on the document. However, that number won't apply anymore as it is the old one and it has been replaced.

It's either correct or it's not.

To be correct the engine number on the V5 must match the engine number in the car.

lipjam

Then it is not correct. It has been changed.

Should the DVLA be notified?
What are the ramifications for this failure to notify them(if any).

Will this need to be highlighted before the next MOT.

I would appreciate some information please?