HPI or Experian?

[duncansaunders]

Evening all,

Looked at a car at an independent dealers last week. Very nice. Drove well. Haggled to an acceptable price. Dealer assured me that the car was HPI clear - states all cars "HPI checked" in advert. Left deposit and intend to collect car next weekend after it's been MOT'd and serviced and had a few scratches chased away.

Anyway, I get home and decide that to be doubly sure I would do a few checks myself. Call Volvo who confirm that the car has been properly serviced. I go online and get an HPI check and the car comes up as registered stolen late 2006 on the Police database. Not registered on any insurance database however.

I call the dealer a bit miffed and he sends me his Experian report which shows the car as totally clear.

I believe the Dealer when he tells me that it's not stolen as it's a one owner from new lease car and the Dealer is owned by the lease company. But I would have problems trying to persuade a private buyer of this in 18 months time. Have told the Dealer he needs to sort this out before I pay for the car.

So, how can HPI and Experian have differing information on the car?

And - which other organisations use HPI's data? I've found that the RAC use HPI and the AA use Experian, but what about trxt check and others?

Regards



Duncan

Edited by duncansaunders on Sunday 8th March 20:57

[POORCARDEALER]

Duncan

These two databases often have differing info, one thing to consider is it isnt always accurate on either, I would try and contact the previous owner to clariy.

[duncansaunders]

Hi Poorcardealer,

Do you know if it is possible to get the incorrect information removed?

I'm reasonably satisfied that the car is not stolen - but might find it difficult to persuade whoever I sell the car to in 18 months.

Presumably the current/previous Owner would need to contact both the Police and Exoperian and tell them that the information is incorrect?

The Dealer seems genuinely surprised.

Duncan

[POORCARDEALER]

Duncan

I would speak to the previous owner and clarify if the car was ever stolen or not. I had a similar situation a few years ago, the car had in fact beeen stolen, but was only missing for 48 hours and was returned to the owner undamaged. I got a letter off the previous owner stating the facts and it was removed. HOWEVER I have had a similar situation and theyy refused to remove the info, so box clever.

[duncansaunders]

Thanks for that.

It's not something that I shall be chasing down - I'll let the dealer sort this out.

If the information is not removed from the HPI register i'll continue shopping.

Duncan

[anonymous-user]

Any vehicle background check is not necessarily 100% accurate. I just bought a car that said it had outstanding finance on it. When the checking company investigated it (I don't know who or what they asked), they said it was back in 2008 and was a mistake. They then produced another certificate for me which was clear.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, these things can be changed