HPI Check

[NGee]

I thought I'd start another thread as I didn't want to steal James's thunder as he was so excited about his new car! On that thread it was suggested that an HPI check should be done on his new car before he parts with any pennies, now if it was a private sale I would agree, every time, but if it's bought through a reputable garage (in this case - Caterham) I would assume:-
1. The garage would do an HPI check anyway (to avoid any nasty come-backs)
2. If any problems arose later you could claim back any losses from the garage

or am I just being naive?????

NGee

[BertBert]

Naive, I'm afraid. I may be jaundiced, or just cautious, but if you can buy a rolled and (poorly) rebuilt 997 GT3 from a Porsche OPC and lose the legal case, you are mad to take chances. Also on a matter of practicality if you do the HPI you get the insurance it offers.

Bert

[Incorrigible]

I would have thought the garage would have HPi'd it and be able to give the customer the details

[BertBert]

But that doesn't give you the insurance if they (HPI) cock it up AFAIK.
Bert

[S47]

HPI check won't tell you whether the car's been Damaged or written off on a race track/track day etc.
whereby the owner could have done a poor job of repair and then offer the car for sale:sad:
Particularly important in the case of caterhams.
Buyer beware

[johnvthe2nd]

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

[jameshayward]

The deal with mine is that it was crashed, the previous owner spun out and ripped the passenger side skin. The Caterham factory dealt with the repairs where it was assessed and reported no chassis damage at all.

However the previous owner managed to get a good deal from insurance as it ended up with a new side, full respray and four new carbon arches. The reason Caterham Cars themselves took it in as it has effectively been re-built by the factory, all the modifications are done to such a high standard.

However, I have emailed CC about the HPI check and await their reply, better to be safe than sorry.

[jameshayward]

johnvthe2nd said:

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

Same here, I know I can get my car cheaper but I don't mind paying more for that piece of mind, warrenty and customer service.

[BertBert]

jameshayward said:

johnvthe2nd said:

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

Same here, I know I can get my car cheaper but I don't mind paying more for that piece of mind, warrenty and customer service.

I agree, but caveat emptor as Chris71 found http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

Bert

[V7SLR]

NGee said:

I thought I'd start another thread as I didn't want to steal James's thunder as he was so excited about his new car! On that thread it was suggested that an HPI check should be done on his new car before he parts with any pennies, now if it was a private sale I would agree, every time, but if it's bought through a reputable garage (in this case - Caterham) I would assume:-
1. The garage would do an HPI check anyway (to avoid any nasty come-backs)
2. If any problems arose later you could claim back any losses from the garage

or am I just being naive?????

NGee

Strange how opinions differ so widely! Not talking Sevens, but every car I've ever bought privately has been a gem, but some I've bought (and "nearly" bought) through dealerships have been complete dogs - and I've walked away from more dealer sales than private! I've never had an HPI check done on any car, but to be honest after the experiences I've had I'd probably have it done on a trade sale now. Whoever the trader is.

[johnvthe2nd]

BertBert said:

jameshayward said:

johnvthe2nd said:

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

Same here, I know I can get my car cheaper but I don't mind paying more for that piece of mind, warrenty and customer service.

I agree, but caveat emptor as Chris71 found http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

Bert

well, kind of .. but if mine turns out to vary from the model that they sold it to me as, then they can have it back, surely?

[BertBert]

johnvthe2nd said:

BertBert said:

jameshayward said:

johnvthe2nd said:

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

Same here, I know I can get my car cheaper but I don't mind paying more for that piece of mind, warrenty and customer service.

I agree, but caveat emptor as Chris71 found http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

Bert

well, kind of .. but if mine turns out to vary from the model that they sold it to me as, then they can have it back, surely?

Good point, maybe, maybe not. As I said before, I'm not trying to spoil the party and not trying to cast aspersions on Caterham - they have looked after me prett well over the years. But there's loads of reasons to be careful. What if Caterham cocked up their own check and the car was cat D and they in all honesty didn't know - it's just not a place to be - you have a car you don't want and they have your money. It's just a risk reduction device which is soooo simple, pretty cheap and doable in seconds on-line.

Bert

[johnvthe2nd]

BertBert said:

johnvthe2nd said:

BertBert said:

jameshayward said:

johnvthe2nd said:

If the Caterham salesman is to be believed (I hope so!) they check the chassis / alignment etc before they accept a car for p/x .. he assured me that the one I bought had been thoroughly checked over and everything was in exactly the right place. This is why I went to Caterham themselves to buy my first one.

Same here, I know I can get my car cheaper but I don't mind paying more for that piece of mind, warrenty and customer service.

I agree, but caveat emptor as Chris71 found http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=14&...

Bert

well, kind of .. but if mine turns out to vary from the model that they sold it to me as, then they can have it back, surely?

Good point, maybe, maybe not. As I said before, I'm not trying to spoil the party and not trying to cast aspersions on Caterham - they have looked after me prett well over the years. But there's loads of reasons to be careful. What if Caterham cocked up their own check and the car was cat D and they in all honesty didn't know - it's just not a place to be - you have a car you don't want and they have your money. It's just a risk reduction device which is soooo simple, pretty cheap and doable in seconds on-line.

Bert

and, TBH, I'd do it now if I knew the chassis number!