New car HPI clear but bumped?

Maybeanotherday

Hello Im wondering if anyone can help?
I've just bought a 06 plate car from a local garage, when I got there the bumper was slightly off colour compared to the rest of the car, I asked the garage if the car had been in a bump he said it hadn't and said this was a common fault on this particular car. So I went away and researched this on the net, yes it was true sometimes this car does change colour slightly on the bumper, he also assured me I had four weeks to bring it back if there were any problems.

So I bought it, after test driving up the motorway drives like a dream:money:
Right now the airbag light has been flashing, then not bothering less than a week after the sale.
My local garage have looked at it and have confirmed that the bumper is NOT the original bumper, they are having a closer look at it today for me...
The car came HPI clear, and I have got finance on it, he's put my part ex up for sale...

What are my rights? Do I have any??
I have two children and Im really concerned that it may not be save to drive?

vaio

I thought HPI only recorded write off damage, not repairs.

Having a new/repainted panel or two doesn't make a car unsafe. Concentrate on....

skellett wrote: »

.......drives like a dream:money:.....

and enjoy your new car

molerat

Once they have had a closer look you can think about the situation. If he sees signs of chassis member straightning or rippled panels then there may be something to be concerned about. It does not take much of a knock to need a bumber replacement, I hit a deer at 20 mph in a rental and the car needed a new bumper. I also had a car that needed a new bumper almost straight out of the factory, it had been scuffed on the transporter.

Jakg

HPI would only show if it's been written off.

How does the garage know it's been replaced?

marlot

Airbag light flashing can sometimes be caused by you moving the drivers seat. If the seat hasn't been moved for ages and you change it to set it up for you the wiring soemtimes catches and triggers the airbag light. You don't say what car it is, but I've seen this on VW, Ford, Peugeot, Saab. Often unplugging the connector under the seat and replugging it in is enough to sort it out.

marlot

If its just the bumper cover (the plastic bit) then I'd say its not a real cause for concern. But get your local chap to have a really good look to see if anything underneath is bent or repaired. HPI clear simply means that its never been written off - but it may still have had a minor repair in its life.

I nudged a pole in my car last year at 1mph. The bumper cover is scratched and slightly distorted. I might change it if I see one on eBay at a good price, or I might get it repainted at some point - but neither route would show up on an HPI and there's nothing materially wrong with the car.

hubert_cumberdale

why should it show up on a HPI check

i have a car that i have crashed a couple of times and it shows clear on the HPi its never a certain check

i also bumped a hire car - but sorted it by visiting a scrap yard and buying a new rear bumper for £30 in the correct color it saved my £400 excess

Maybeanotherday

update:
It's been to the garage and the local mechanic confirmed is has been bumped on the wing possibly the bumper too but that the car was mechanically sound...just one more question though....
Can anyone tell me how long should the air bag light show?
Two airbag lights are coming on now one at the top of the clock in red with a person and an airbag flashes a few times and goes.
The other I believe is the passenger airbag, its lit orange its the one of the babyseat and dash says airbag off, flashes briefly and goes off.... I've tried turning the passenger airbag off and then this airbag light turns red...I think that one is ok...can anyone confirm as I dont have a handbook!

Rossy.

Sorry

but what car is it??

for all we know you could be taking about apollo 13

rev_henry

On my car the airbag light flashes 8 times when you start the car and then goes out. Its meant to do that. Not sure why but the manual says so. Yours might be doing a similar thing.

Maybeanotherday

Oh sorry DOH! Its a micra 06 plate lol