As the AVCIS Car Crime Awareness Week (17th – 23rd May) draws to a close, HPI is urging car buyers to remain vigilant at all times and highlights the potential dangers of buying a used vehicle. Car Crime Awareness week has served as an annual reminder for motorists to protect themselves from becoming a victim of car crime.  However, HPI warns used car buyers that they shouldn’t just be wary  of problems as a car owner, such as of theft of their vehicle, but also need to consider the risks as a car buyer – of buying a car that has been stolen, has outstanding finance against it, or has been clocked.
Our figures show that 1 in 3 cars checked with HPI still has something to hide, putting buyers at risk of purchasing a car with a suspect history. Used car fraudsters use a range of tricks to con unsuspecting buyers, like making them pay over the odds for a vehicle that should be returned to its rightful owner, leaving the buyer severely out of pocket. Car Crime Awareness Week serves as a great reminder of the risks used car buyers face and the need to protect themselves from unscrupulous sellers. We fully support the message of the week and hope that it has raised the profile of car crime, which is still a major problem. We urge people to make sure they check with HPI before they buy because it could spell the difference between a bargain and a banger.
Stolen to order?
Many criminals who steal a vehicle will then attempt to sell it on to an unsuspecting buyer, the HPI Check is an invaluable tool to ensure you don’t become a victim.
Outstanding Finance
Outstanding finance continues to be a significant risk for used car buyers. The leading vehicle information provider is warning car buyers that if they unwittingly buy a car on outstanding finance, there is a very real chance that they will lose both the car and the money they paid for it, as the finance company still own the vehicle until the finance has been settled.
Changing Plates
A personalised plate is a popular addition for many car owners, however, buyers should be warned that many crooks also use plate changes to try to obscure a vehicle’s true past. An HPI Check will look at previous plates and idenitify any problems with the registration numbers previously associated with the vehicle. In addition, the HPI Check will also match the vehicle registration number with the vehicle’s chassis number – any mismatches may indicate something is amiss with the vehicle.
Clocking back the miles
Despite digital odometers being commonplace in cars today, these are proving no deterrent against clocking.  Sellers may see the clocking of a vehicle as an easy way to make extra cash and the fact remains that clocking is still a big issue for consumers.
Increase in write-offs
It’s easy to be taken in by shiny paintwork and a low price, but many unscrupulous sellers will do anything to make a quick profit. The HPI Check will inform buyers not only if a vehicle has been written-off, but also provide the category of write-off, allowing them to make an informed decision.
If you would like more information on car crime awareness week visit Action Fraud’s website here. To find out more about the risks associated with buying a car visit us at www.hpichek.com.
Happy driving,
Priya