| Page 5 of Feb 2005 edition of Which Magazine:
"Dont rely on a £40 car check to give you peace of mind when buying a second-hand car. The guarantees offered by the companies selling these services can lull you into a false sense of security"
Basically the HPI and AA type service just report back whatever the insurance company/Finance company/DVLA tell them - they don't verify it.
The magazine reported on a case where a chap had bought a G-reg Beemer for £2100, paid for the background check and everything was OK - or so he thought! Two months after buying it, he had problems with the steering and went to have it checked out only to be told by the mechanics that it had obviously had been in a head-on smash that had mangled the steering so badly it should never have been on the road!!
He sold it for spare parts, losing £1400 in the two months he owned it.
HPI said "We are satisfied that HPI accurately reflected the insurance history of the vehicle so the question of a claim [against HPI] does not arise".
"Which" comment that they still consider AA and HPI checks worthwhile, but its best to pay for an engineers assessment as well.
In bike terms - take along a knowledgeable friend who can check it out while you do the talking.  |