Free hpi check

Can you get an hpi check for free?

Hpi offers background information on used cars registered in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland).

Much of the hpi information can be found freely if you’re prepared to do a little digging. Some of the open-source data like vehicle details, MOT history and road tax data is held via the DVLA.
To get a service similar to a free hpi check, take a look at my sister website CarVeto.

Scroll down to see my quick video on the alleged free hpi check.

Further information like export, ownership and finance data can also be found for free.

When you are buying a car

When buying a car, I always run my own check rather than rely on an aged one held by the car owner or dealer. Who knows the history of the car since it was last checked with hpi or another provider?

Look to the right of this article, you can use my own background checking service, CarVeto. It offers similar information but at a fraction of the cost (£19.99 versus £12.50). I offer a free, basic check too. All you need is a vehicle registration to get started.

Why buy a check?

Although most of the data on hpi can be found at no financial cost there are items that must be paid for. I’m not going to list all that here but point out the important parts of a check and any potential red flags.

Note here, hpi offers two types of checks, a basic for £9.99 and full check for £19.99.

Basic excludes vital background information and makes the process a bit confusing.

From an experienced dealer point of view, there is little point in buying a basic check as it doesn’t include the information needed for buying a car that is genuine and good value for money.

If you buy the basic check hpi offer, prepare to be offered a variety of extras, at a cost. Be careful, you can end up paying more here than if you had purchased their full check.

CarVeto offers all information for one fixed price. This removes uncertainty when buying a used car already has its challenges.

The musts of your hpi check

1. Outstanding finance (not included in a basic check as finance details are omitted)
2. Insurance wright off and/or total loss category A, B, C or D (not included in a basic check as write-off information is omitted)
3. Mileage discrepancies (not included in a basic check)
4. Cloned (not included in a basic check)
5. Scrapped (not included)
6. Theft

This is a raw deal for motorists.

Checking the above items is the preferred way to avoid a dud car. Sadly, hpi don’t include a lot of this vital information. You can only buy it after paying for your first, basic certificate.

This rather annoying and confusing set up leaves some motorists overwhelmed and confused.

There is additional information included like mot history, import, export, scrappage, road tax status and number plate changes. These items are important but not necessarily critical. Most of this data can be obtained freely anyhow.

In the spirit of clarity and simplicity, CarVeto gives you the full information in a single product for £12.50.

Visit CarVeto and run a check.

History on hpi

HPI and HPI Check are trademarks of HPI Limited who began trading in 1938. They are the oldest check service in the UK. So, similarly to the RAC Passport check, they are a trusted brand who can afford to charge a bit more for their products.

However, as a new generation of motorist gets on the road, most have not heard of hpi in the same way as the RAC or AA. So, expect hpi to drop their prices to fall in line with the rest of the industry. Really, I think their main product should be on offer for £14.99 with the removal of their feeble, basic check.

The grist of an hpi history check

Next, I discuss more detail to check car history via hpi and highlight a costly misinterpretation of what a check tells you.

Or watch my mini video below where I run over the free hpi check scandal

Outstanding Finance

If you buy a car with outstanding finance (and the owner doesn’t settle the balance beforehand) such as Hire Purchase, you stand to lose the car and money you paid.

There are always varying circumstances with car finance, but the overarching theme is that you will lose time and money, most likely both.

If your check shows up with money being owed via a “Stocking Loan” or “Demonstration Stocking” it means the car is owned by a finance company.

To clarify, the dealer doesn’t own the car. It belongs to the finance company, who allow the dealer to sell on their behalf.

The arrangement is common these days. Black Horse Finance, Close Finance and Moto Novo are companies who offer this type of arrangement to dealers.

Dealers tend to have 90 days to sell the car before it’s entered back into an auction.

If the dealer sells the car, the finance company is paid and hpi check removes the outstanding finance status.

If you have concerns about if and when the car will be settled just call up the finance company and get written confirmation that all monies will be settled in full, without liability.

Stolen Vehicles

Hpi gets data from the Police National Register. If the car shows up as stolen it remains the property of the individual or organisation from whom it was taken.

If your car flags as stolen, don’t buy the car.

Write Off

This is a term for a vehicle that is declared a total loss by an insurer following accident damage or theft.

It’s true that some written off cars can be allowed back on the road provided they have undergone certain inspections.

New write-off status includes A, B, C, D, S and N.

If you choose to buy an accident damaged car, ensure it has independent Auto-align approved structural examinations that come from a resulting category C or D insurance total loss. This way you know the car is legal and roadworthy.

Mileage Problems

Hpi uses their own NMR check (National Mileage Register) for mileage problems. It is not 100% accurate but remains a worthwhile check. Another route for mileage problems is via DVLA mot history.

Cars are clocked to increase resell value. Aside from the obvious loss of money when buying a dud, you’ll have no idea how far the car has travelled, how worn the parts are etc. I’d rather not put my children in a car like that!

Most car checking services will show you further details such as Plate Transfers, CO2 Ratings and other Vehicle Identity information, but what’s listed above is the essential data.

The bit about hpi checks that motorist don’t know

Hpi, disclose information that’s recorded. The problem arises when two drivers have a car accident and decide to settle without insurance company involvement. It means there is no record of the accident or repairs.

Hpi can only provide details that are recorded. In cases like the one above, hpi have no way of knowing.

So, if your hpi check shows up without accident damage it does not guarantee the car has remained accident-free.

As part of the CarVeto service, I include complimentary access to my full used car buyers guide. It’s free with every Platinum check and shows how to spot when a car has had replacement panels resulting from a crash.

Marcus Rockey
Used Car Guy