HPI Mileage Discrepancy

benweston

Hi all

After my palaver (documented in another thread on here) with a car I've just bought, I'm currently looking for a new one. I found an X-Type that I went to view before bidding and winning it on eBay this evening. All the paperwork checks out, all previous MOTs and full Jag service history are there. The car itself is in great condition with the current owner having had it for nearly 3 years.

However, on running an RAC HPI check this evening, it came back with an odd mileage discrepancy. The car's plates have changed several times with previous owners and one plate obviously got noted down as 5,000 miles on the dot. I have attached a screenshot of the report as it looks to me like DVLA error rather than a genuine problem with the car.

I haven't paid any money yet but, likewise, there is nothing in the car's service history to suggest a problem and the Jag dealer I called confirmed all the services at the right mileage intervals.

The car is reading just over 111k miles at the moment which ties in with the servicing and mileage reports below.

[REMOVED]

Sgt_Pepper_2

After June 07 the only accurate mileage is 109041.

Don't you find it odd the vehicle has changed hands on exact rounded up mileage?

benweston

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

After June 07 the only accurate mileage is 109041.

Don't you find it odd the vehicle has changed hands on exact rounded up mileage?

I don't know - I've never had a car with a mileage discrepancy before!

I don't understand where the NMR get the mileages from?! On September 3rd, 2012 there are two records - 41 miles apart. I know from doing the RAC HPI check that when you enter the mileage on there, it's recorded on the register so perhaps these entries are other people who HPIed the car based on the 'whole figure' the seller gave on eBay?

The odd 5,000 mile entry could easily be DVLA error - looks as if it should be 75,000 miles.

I wonder if anyone else has a reasonable explanation for the whole numbers otherwise I might have to pass on this (despite winning the auction, argh!)

I should add - the VIN and all the service history stacks up.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Have you looked at the mot history?

Sgt_Pepper_2

In future do your checks before you bid.

benweston

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

In future do your checks before you bid.

I did - the first HPI check was a text check and didn't include a mileage check. The full check is nearly £16 - hence doing it afterwards.

The MOT history is consistent and tallies with all the other mileages (bar the 5k one).

The seller has just told me that the V5 isn't in his name though as he "didn't want to add another owner to the car" so I think this is almost definitely one I should walk away from, no matter how much I like the car.

Sgt_Pepper_2

So your seller is a trader.

Post a copy of the eBay ad.

benweston

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

So your seller is a trader.

Post a copy of the eBay ad.

Yes seller is a trader but whenever I've bought a car in the past from a dealer, it's been registered to the dealer (which doesn't add another 'owner' - just removes ownership of previous owner I think). This is registered to the previous owner who took it in as P/X against another car from the dealer.

eBay ad: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271138010449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I should also point out that I'm in no way saying this dealer is dodgy - I'm just trying to make sense of it myself.

colino

First thing I'd do is get those plate details, obviously now belonging to someone else, off of the internet.
Secondly mileage discrepancies, especially through bigger traders, are very common. The longer the chain, from Nobby in valeting, through service, second hand sales, through finance to Tracey in admin. it's like chinese whispers. It's not imporant to them, so few slavishly record the exact figure.
Tracking the service record is the real deal. Especially if it's a prestigious, good marque dealer, they want to avoid future warranty work, so the mileage will be on the button!

benweston

Hi Colino. Thanks - yes, I have removed details now. I feel more reassured after the seller scanned over all service history and every MOT certificate since the first one. Everything tallies up and all services were done by a Jag main dealer (which I have confirmed with them). The odd 5k mile discrepancy seems to be a mistake. From further Internet research, it doesn't seem at all uncommon for the NRM to record whole numbers as opposed to exact ones.