What is an HPi check?
HPi stands for ‘Hire Purchase Information’ and is a standard check that is used to verify a car’s history They are also known as ‘Car Data Checks’. What information does it disclose?
There are several categories that are interrogated when a vehicle is HPi checked.
They are:
- Mileage
- Stolen
- High Risk
- ABI Condition
- Additional DVLA
- Finance
- Plate Change
- Colour Change
- Keeper Change
Mileage
This category is checked to verify that there are no mileage discrepancies for the vehicle. The information is sourced from voluntary contributions made by previous owners at service intervals or MOT inspections and when the V5/V5C ‘log book’ document is returned to DVLA for notification of keeper changes.
Stolen
If the vehicle is currently reported as stolen, the HPi check will provide relevant details of the Police force issuing the notice and an appropriate contact telephone number.
High Risk
If a vehicle was once listed as stolen, there will be a notification period (for example of 100 months) that stays with the car after it has been reported.
ABI Condition
A central database that insurance companies use to log information is called the MIAFTR. (Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register). If a vehicle is listed on that database, the HPi check will show it.
Additional DVLA
Shows if the vehicle has been imported, and if so, when.
Finance
Should there be an outstanding hire purchase agreement, or an unsettled fiance agreement on the car, this will appear here. The finance company, agreement term, type, contract number and also a contact telephone number are given here. It is important to check this section, as any outstanding finances on the car means that the car is not legally yours when you purchase it and could be repossessed at any time!
Plate Change
Did the vehicle have a private registration? If so, it will appear here. Should several owners have changed the number plates, they will all be listed in this section, along with the dates they were changed.
Colour Change
This one does exactly what it says on the tin. Should a car have been reported to have a colour change in it’s life, it will appear in this category, along with when the changes were made.
Keeper Change
As a car progresses through different owners, the DVLA is notified every time it changes hands. This sections checks and corroborates the information that should also be contained on the V5 ‘log book’ document.
DATA SOURCES
When a Car Data Check is run, it queries the following information systems:
AA: The Automobile Association
ABI: The Association of British Insurers
BIMTA: The British Independent Motor Trade Association
BVRLA: The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
CAP: CAP Motor Research Ltd.
DVLA: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
DVNLI: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland
Glass’s: Glass’s Information Service
PNC: Police National Computer
RMI: Retail Motor Industry
SMMT: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
VMC: Vehicle Mileage Check Ltd.