Salvage record on used car
Discussion
Hoping to rely on the expert advice of someone who knows more than me about this!
At the stage of purchasing a really nice car tomorrow.
All seems well but I ran a HPI check on it this morning and it came up as having salvage history.
When I open the salvage history link, there is clearly no damage to the vehicle in the salvage photos and even the salvage record says: CATEGORY USED UNRECORDED - Damage to this vehicle is minor dents/scratches and normal wear as per the photo below.
The dealer seems incredibly honest and everything about the car adds up but is this something I should be weary of/ would it affect the car's value in the future? The car is a beautiful example in person and this is the only thing I have found that concerns me, the dealer is reputable and has almost never had a negative review!
Really appreciate the help!

At the stage of purchasing a really nice car tomorrow.
All seems well but I ran a HPI check on it this morning and it came up as having salvage history.
When I open the salvage history link, there is clearly no damage to the vehicle in the salvage photos and even the salvage record says: CATEGORY USED UNRECORDED - Damage to this vehicle is minor dents/scratches and normal wear as per the photo below.
The dealer seems incredibly honest and everything about the car adds up but is this something I should be weary of/ would it affect the car's value in the future? The car is a beautiful example in person and this is the only thing I have found that concerns me, the dealer is reputable and has almost never had a negative review!
Really appreciate the help!
Salvage auctions do deal with standard entries from private and trade sellers so it would appear it’s simply a case of it’s passed through a Copart type auction at some point .
It’s often the case non-damaged cars end up at these auctions as they’re probably the most effective way of disposing of a car with zero comebacks so often they do have underlying issues. If the car ends up in the right hands though these issues can be dealt with correctly and the car can carry on being a normal car
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is when you come to sell it, are you prepared to deal with it possibly being a little more complicated than normal with that record showing in HPi.
Personally, if I really wanted the car I wouldn’t be put off by the marker particularly, I’d judge the car on the condition as it stands today.
It’s often the case non-damaged cars end up at these auctions as they’re probably the most effective way of disposing of a car with zero comebacks so often they do have underlying issues. If the car ends up in the right hands though these issues can be dealt with correctly and the car can carry on being a normal car

I guess the question you need to ask yourself is when you come to sell it, are you prepared to deal with it possibly being a little more complicated than normal with that record showing in HPi.
Personally, if I really wanted the car I wouldn’t be put off by the marker particularly, I’d judge the car on the condition as it stands today.
Nickp82 said:
Salvage auctions do deal with standard entries from private and trade sellers so it would appear it’s simply a case of it’s passed through a Copart type auction at some point .
It’s often the case non-damaged cars end up at these auctions as they’re probably the most effective way of disposing of a car with zero comebacks so often they do have underlying issues. If the car ends up in the right hands though these issues can be dealt with correctly and the car can carry on being a normal car
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is when you come to sell it, are you prepared to deal with it possibly being a little more complicated than normal with that record showing in HPi.
Personally, if I really wanted the car I wouldn’t be put off by the marker particularly, I’d judge the car on the condition as it stands today.
Really appreciate the reply, very helpful.It’s often the case non-damaged cars end up at these auctions as they’re probably the most effective way of disposing of a car with zero comebacks so often they do have underlying issues. If the car ends up in the right hands though these issues can be dealt with correctly and the car can carry on being a normal car

I guess the question you need to ask yourself is when you come to sell it, are you prepared to deal with it possibly being a little more complicated than normal with that record showing in HPi.
Personally, if I really wanted the car I wouldn’t be put off by the marker particularly, I’d judge the car on the condition as it stands today.
The condition is excellent, and the dealer seems extremely honest so I am inclined not to worry about it!
If you don't know much about cars then it would be very wise to have an AA/RAC type inspection carried out on this vehicle. Also it really needs to be much cheaper than others since when you come to trade it in or sell you will take a rinsing.
And most traders will bend over backwards to make a sale and come across as super helpful...until monies are parted with;-)
And most traders will bend over backwards to make a sale and come across as super helpful...until monies are parted with;-)
Nickp82 said:
....It’s often the case non-damaged cars end up at these auctions as they’re probably the most effective way of disposing of a car with zero comebacks ....
Indeed. Could be something as simple as someone has taken a car to a scrapyard and weighed it in, but the scrappy thinks it has some life left and will get something for it at the salvage auction - but not worth the warranty risk if they sell it direct to a punter.Or was third party only insurance and the owner didn't want to repair it....
Hopefully the date of the photos will give a clue as to how recent it was, if it was back before 2020 the car might have been worthless but since prices have risen worth a couple of grand these days.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


