HPI, part of RAC, has won high praise at the New Media Age Awards ceremony in London for a new online service that makes buying a used car on eBay more secure.
- eBay project 'highly commended'
HPI, part of RAC, has won high praise at the New Media Age Awards ceremony in London for a new online service that makes buying a used car on eBay more secure.
HPI, which employs 40 people at its data centre on Hornbeam Business Park, Harrogate, was highly commended in the Effectiveness Awards for its groundbreaking eBay Motors’ Vehicle Status Report.
The report allows people buying a used car on eBay to check if a vehicle is stolen, a write-off, or has any outstanding loans or mileage inconsistencies on it.
HPI has been checking the histories of used cars since 1938, and was the first company to introduce this service. Approximately 60% of its checks are now carried out online. It processes a high volume of used car data from a variety of sources, ensuring that vehicles are legal and ready to be fairly sold.
HPI data architect Hugh Beever said: “We are delighted to have won this commendation at the awards. Our success is down to our highly skilled development team here in Harrogate and our ability to deliver reliable solutions quickly. We are online 24 hours a day and process more than 100 million transactions a year – so quality of design and performance are key to everything we do.”
Beever added that HPI was actively recruiting for developers of all grades at Harrogate. “Our applications run on a wide range of technologies, and we offer an exciting and challenging working environment. It is the aptitude and versatility of our staff that makes all the difference.”
For more details on HPI job vacancies please contact the HR department on 01722 435470.
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For press enquiries please contact:
RAC/HPI Press office contact:
Jenny Chapman
Telephone: 01603 684224
E-mail: jenny-chapman@norwich-union.co.uk
Lucy Haughey
Telephone: 01603 354337
E-mail: lucy.haughey@norwich-union.co.uk
Staniforth:
Ruth Devlin or Jon Clements on 0161 919 8495
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 organisations, 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%.