Supercars and luxury vehicles should be a top concern for dealers when buying or part exchanging used cars, detailed analysis of the HPI database reveals.
- HPI data reveals different vehicle types are susceptible to different crimes
Supercars and luxury vehicles should be a top concern for dealers when buying or part exchanging used cars, detailed analysis of the HPI database reveals.
Whilst family and city cars are least likely to have a hidden history, dealers should remain vigilant on all of their stock warns HPI, as closer inspection of its data reveals that even these cars are targets for criminals.
Dealers may not be surprised to see performance cars and hot hatches both hit the top five on the outstanding finance register. However, city cars are one to watch on the finance register, despite seeing a significant annual decrease in the number hitting this and other HPI registers and despite being in the top five least at risk overall.
Chelsea tractors, or 4x4s, also rank as one of the top five vehicle groups most frequently hitting the outstanding finance register. Out of every 100 vehicles checked with HPI overall, 24 are on outstanding finance. Any vehicle still on finance belongs to the finance house so dealers stand to lose the money and the car.
Luxury cars, which are the most likely car group to hit the stolen register, have seen the total volume of hits against the HPI registers increase steadily over the last four years. These cars are an obvious target for thieves, but dealers also need to be aware that compact executive and executive cars are two of the most likely groups to be stolen. As well as losing the vehicle, dealers stand to lose the money paid on stolen vehicles, not to mention the cost of lost reputation.
Performance cars and hot hatches are the top car group hitting HPI’s Condition Alert register and are therefore more likely to be recorded as a write off by the Association of British Insurers. These two groups have also seen an overall increase in hits against the HPI registers over the last four years, making it essential for dealers to do the necessary checks.
Not surprisingly the roadsters/cabriolets, coupes, luxury and super cars all most frequently hit the Condition Alert register. This register will identify not only vehicles that have been "written-off" as a total loss by an insurer, but will tell dealers what category write-off they are, helping them understand just how roadworthy they are.
Personalised plates are becoming more and more popular each year, but HPI warns dealers that a plate change can also be used by criminals to hide a car’s true identity and murky past. Again, those vehicles that perhaps reflect a certain standing of status – luxury, super, performance, coupes, 4x4s - are most likely to have had a plate transfer.
Interestingly, whilst practical vehicles such as family cars, MPVs and executive cars are least likely overall to hit the HPI registers, they are most likely to have a discrepant mileage. HPI’s National Mileage Register (NMR) Check service draws on 85 million mileage readings to help identify discrepant odometer readings in used vehicles being offered for sale. Used correctly, the NMR Check and Investigation provides dealers with a legal defence and effective disclaimer against incorrect mileage readings, developed with input from Trading Standards.
Daniel Burgess, automotive director, commented: “The HPI database holds details of over 80 million vehicle identities, 7 million finance agreements, over 7 million ‘written-off’ vehicles and over 600,000 stolen vehicles, to help dealers make informed purchasing decisions and protect their bottom line.
“Close analysis of this data reveals that dealers must not be complacent when it comes to the middle of the range vehicles such as family cars. Unsurprisingly, luxury and performance cars are high risk, but the hit rates highlight the need for dealer awareness across the entire range of vehicles.”
| Vehicle groups most at risk from a hidden history - overall:
| Vehicle groups least at risk from a hidden history – overall:
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Vehicle Groups that most frequently hit a HPI Register
| Finance Register: 1. Super cars 2. Performance cars/hot hatches 3. MPVs 4. 4X4s 5. City cars | Stolen Register: 1. Luxury cars 2. Super cars 3. Compact executives 4. Executive cars 5. Coupes | Write Offs: 1. Performance cars/hot hatches 2. Luxury cars 3. Super cars 4. Roadsters/cabriolets 5. Coupes |
| Plate Transfer: 1. Super cars 2. Luxury cars 3. Performance cars/hot hatches 4. Coupes 5. 4x4s | Mileage Discrepancy: 1. Family cars 2. Coupe 3. Executive cars 4. Compact executives 5. MPVs |
-ends-
For press enquiries please contact:
RAC/HPI Press office contact:
Jenny Chapman - 01603 684224/07800 699668
Lucy Haughey - 01603 354337/07800 690149
Harrison Sadler:
Claire Foster, Parm Evans or Justine Hoadley on 020 8977 9132 or email hsl@harrisonsadler.com
Notes to editors:
About HPI
Originally established in 1938, HPI Limited is a primary source of vehicle information for the UK motor industry and motoring consumer, which since August 2004 has been owned by Norwich Union. HPI encompasses both the HPI database of all UK road registered vehicle descriptions and histories, and the National Mileage Register which holds in excess of 85 million mileage readings.
Together, HPI and NMR represent the UK's largest vehicle information source, combining and interpreting data from government agencies, industry bodies, private organisations, the police and the general public. Registering with HPI helps companies to protect their financial interests in motor vehicles and a wide range of other mobile assets. HPI Checks give purchasers instant confirmation of whether vehicles are correctly described, known to be subject to outstanding finance or serious accident damage, or recorded as stolen or "clocked".
'HPI' and the HPI logo are registered trademarks of HPI Limited.
(1) All prices include VAT and are correct as of 1st January 2006
(2) Mileage Data is not covered by The HPI Guarantee
(3) The HPI Guarantee is subject to terms and conditions
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
Aviva bought RAC in May 2005. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14%.