Are HPI checks not always reliable???

ben23456

I'm looking to buy a car and was looking at Nissan Micra on Gumtree and in some cases the HPI check has picked up on a Cat C/D (gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-micra-1.2-eo10llr-direct-from-ins-co/1256351295) but in others the car is listed as a Cat C/D in the description but the HPI check has not picked anything up (gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-micra-5dr-manual/1253325591 or gumtree.com/p/nissan/nissan-micra-2011-1.2-manual-for-sale-/1257289205). Are HPI checks not always reliable? How can I ensure that the car I'm buying isn't a cat C or D?

neilmcl

Which HPI check website are you using? At the end of the day an HPI check will only be as accurate as the data it can get hold of.

ben23456

It's the automatic HPI check on gumtree, as seen in the link. I'm not sure of its reliability? Would you recommend carrying out and independent check on another website?

Nodding_Donkey

If it's a true HPI check then they will pay you compensation if the info is wrong.

https://hpicheck.com/support/faqs/guarantee

MataNui

HPI check (the proper one listed in the above post) is the only one i would use. Its very comprehensive and guarantees against errors. It even covers logbook loans now. Though if you are buying from a dealer they will have already done a check on the car and cannot sell you a cat c or d without explicitly telling you the car has been written off. If they did you could claim against them and would win.

Nobbie1967

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

If it's a true HPI check then they will pay you compensation if the info is wrong.

https://hpicheck.com/support/faqs/guarantee

Unless you pay for your own check, this guarantee won't apply as you have no contract with HPI.

missile

No database is 100% reliable. It can take time for the data to be uploaded and errors can happen. I would suggest the DVLA and MID databases are more reliable than HPI, however there are several posts on this forum reporting errors.

A private sale is always more risky than buying from a reputable dealer, if you have an issue.

Stoke

I see very little point HPI'ing the kind of cars I look at, although I never buy anything new. If I was buying something newer then I probably would HPI, only because my father once bought a car which was being chased by bailiffs.

As someone said above, HPI checks are really as reliable as the data they can obtain. Stuff like outstanding finance etc, for sure are important checks. However, you can find out whether a car is Cat D or C for free via the method I spoke about in another thread. Furthermore, I've bought cars which are not Cat D or C and I've subsequently discovered are accident repairs (usually when I've done some work and found a mismatched part or overspray). What you going to do? Take it back?

HPI's offer limited use on old cars, in my opinion.

rockey100

Hpi and all other checking firms are as reliable as the data held on the databases they search.
It!!!8217;s pretty much unknown that most of the data sources are same for all checking services except for mileage where hpi have the national mileage register to rely on and not just dvla.

Thing with hpi is well known brand but most expensive check.

Their 30k guarantee is for finance that is misrepresented in a check.

I!!!8217;ve been in the trade many years and always relied no in hpi but not so much these days when I can get the data for less.

The latest service I use and recommend for private buyers is https://www.carveto.co.uk
Like the straight pass, warning, fail answer on each check. They have an awesome car buying guide included with each check too. £12.50

motorguy

Thanks for spamming an old thread.

We really need that on here.

shaun_from_Africa

comunit wrote: »

check with checkcardetails.co.uk they are cheaper than HPI with lot of free information

Please DO NOT use this checkcardetails for a reliable HPI check.

Any company that has to resort to putting false recommendations on a public forum is not a company that should ever be trusted.

comunit runs the website in question.

We, (Comunit Limited, UK registered company) host the car checking service on the website (https://www.checkcardetails.co.uk) to provide an effective service to you (the user of the site).

Please don't report the post as spam as with posts such as this, I always think it best to let them stay so other forum users can see how some companies operate and therefore avoid using them.