Buying a secondhand /used car is one of those things that we all do at some point in our lives. The problem is that it usually quite a big investment and it can be a bit tricky knowing what you're letting yourself in for. Hail the Car Data Check!
So what exactly is a Car Data Check? A Car Data Check is a reliable report that verifies specific information about any UK vehicle and exposes any shady past. Now you may wonder whether you really need one? Well, unless you're buying a second hand car from your mother in law (and even then I'd be a bit suspicious), it is advised that you check the vehicle with a leading car checker.
The well known term "HPI Check" was coined many years ago by the longstanding car data checking company - HPI (registered trademark of Norwich Union/Aviva group). Since then "car data checks", as they are known today are offered by many companies and with price variations based on the amount of data gathered. The vehicle registration no. (VRM) is used to obtain a comprehensive report that could expose a shady past, before you have bought the vehicle.
Probably the most valuable information reflected in a car check is the issue of any outstanding finance still owed on the vehicle. Approximately 25% of vehicles checked are still subject to a finance agreement. If you buy one of these cars you will not acquire the title to it unless the outstanding debt is settled in full by the original owner.
The resale value of a vehicle is often strongly influenced by the number of miles or kilometres it has on the odometer, yet odometers are inherently insecure because they are under the control of their owners. Fraudsters can "clock" a vehicle by tampering with the odometer(digital ones included), rolling it back or even replacing it all together in order to obtain a higher price. Car checks supply you with a list of progressive reports about the vehicles mileage
Every day stolen vehicles appear on the market and unsuspecting buyers are lured in by apparent "good deals". By buying a stolen car, whether intentional or not, you could face losing it back to its rightful owner as well as all the money you paid for it or even be liable to a prison sentence. If the vehicle that you're interested in buying has been stolen then the VRM and VIN numbers will be indicated on a car data check as reported stolen by the police.
Thousands of cars are involved in accidents annually to the point that they are beyond repair and are deemed un-roadworthy, however some of these dangerous cars manage to slip through the system and eventually end up back on the market. A vehicle condition assessment found in a car data check can will help you to determine whether or not a car has been labeled a 'total loss' by insurers.
Cloning is a method that crooks use to steal the identity of a similar looking legitimate car. They match the model, colour, registration plates and identification number so as to go undetected by the system. Running a car data check on such a vehicle is the most efficient way to protect yourself and expose this scam.
When buying any used car it's always smart to get a car data check in order to make sure you don't end up in an unfortunate situation. It's important to make sure you get find one that cover all these key points.
www.AutoReflect.com is a website that compares the top Car Data Check sites available on the web. This is a great place to start when buying a used car. Good luck!
