The chances are that ever since you bought your first used car, you’ve read that you should invest in a pre-purchase HPI Check. And so you should. We might be a bit biased when it comes to offering such advice, but there are sound reasons why we have faith in our product; we can give you complete peace of mind. Not convinced? Then let us show you why our assertion isn’t just hot air.

HPI has been providing vehicle history checks since 1938 – almost eight decades ago. Back then, if you wanted to buy a second-hand Austin Seven or Ford Model A, HPI was there to make sure you weren’t stitched up.

At first an HPI Check could tell you only if that Wolseley or Riley you were thinking of buying was subject to outstanding finance, but by 1947 we could also tell you if the car was stolen; by the 1980s we’d also disclose if the car had been crashed. Since then we’ve added a mountain of additional information to the HPI Check, so you get the most comprehensive possible picture of that potential purchase, before you commit to buying it. Just some of the key information an HPI Check will give you includes:

HPI Check- Outstanding finance

Until a car is paid for, it’s usually owned by whoever has lent the money for its purchase. With most new cars bought on finance, you don’t want to buy a car that’s not yet paid for. For more on this, check out our blogs on buying a car with finance on it, car finance options ( and how logbook loans work.)

HPI Check- Written off

If a vehicle is badly damaged and an insurance claim is made, it could be repaired or pronounced beyond saving economically. All write-offs are logged; for more on this read our blog on how write-off categories work.

HPI Check- Stolen

If a car is stolen and its owner notifies the police, its registration details go on to the Police National Computer and is then flagged up on an HPI Check.

HPI Check- Vehicle identity

The DVLA records a car’s Vehicle Identity Number (VIN, or chassis number) along with its engine number, so that information is included in the HPI Check.

HPI Check- Previous owners

The DVLA holds records of all owners of any vehicle registered in Great Britain, and HPI can tap into this database.

HPI Check- Registration changes

The DVLA also records all registration plates including any transfers, so the HPI Check includes details of any registration changes throughout the lifetime of any vehicle.

HPI Check- Mileage check

The National Mileage Register was set up by HPI to help reduce clocking. The Register currently holds over 200 million mileage readings.H

HPI Check- Scrapped

If the DVLA has been told that a car has been scrapped, its status on the database has to be updated before it can be sold or returned to the road.

HPI Check- Exported

If the DVLA has been told that a car has been exported it can’t then be sold for use on UK roads, unless its status on the database is updated. If a vehicle is on the database as exported but is still in the UK, something is definitely not right.

HPI Check- Imported

Cars sold new overseas could cost more to insure or not be approved for UK use. Sourcing parts can also be tricky which is why we flag up if the car was originally sold outside the UK.

HPI Check- Colour

The DVLA has to be told about any colour changes, so if that potential purchase is logged as a different hue from what you see, something isn’t right. If the car’s colour has been legitimately altered, your HPI Check will say so.

HPI Check- MoT status

All cars have to have their first MoT three years after they were registered. A car doesn’t have to be MoTed to be sold on, but this has to be disclosed at the time of sale, which is why a car’s MoT status is included in an HPI Check.

All of the above information is included as it might reveal that a car is dodgy in some way and that you should look elsewhere or investigate further. However, the HPI Check goes beyond this and also includes lots of data that might help you decide if the car is priced fairly and how much it will cost to run.

As well as the data below, the full specification of a car is also included as part of the HPI Check along with its performance (maximum power and torque, top speed, 0-60mph), the engine capacity, type of fuel and what sort of gearbox is fitted (manual or automatic) along with the number of gears. The Check also includes:

HPI Valuation

CAP are used car valuation experts, so when it merged with HPI in 2015 it gave us the perfect opportunity to include a valuation as part of the HPI Check. This valuation is based on the recorded specification and the current mileage.

HPI Check- Road tax costs

A car’s CO2 emissions dictates how much it costs to tax and just a few grams either way can make a significant difference to what you’ll pay. Perhaps enough to affect your purchasing decision.

HPI Check- Fuel costs

It’s possible to work out a car’s fuel economy from its CO2 emissions. With the latter a known quantity we can calculate an approximate fuel cost for 12,000 miles of motoring.

With more than 80 pieces of information included in your HPI Check you get the most accurate picture possible of that potential buy. Plus, with a £30,000 guarantee, you’re protected if something goes wrong. Nobody else can match this – which is why we’re so confident that the HPI Check really is the very best vehicle check available, whether it’s for a car, van, quad bike, motorbike or motorhome. So if you’re thinking of buying one of these, scoot over to www.hpicheck.com for ultimate peace of mind.

Richard Dredge

August 2016