HPI vehicle check

[Ramsy]

hi

busy helping my sister in law buy her first vehicle, nice little 2013 kia rio. already checked that it under warranty with KIA and also that it still has a service plan.

The only issue is the dealer shes buying from has mentioned that the car was in a frontal accident and he doesn't know the full history of the vehicle of where it was repaired. (trying to sell us an extended warranty)

is there any site i can get a HPI check on the vehicle, i know transunion used to have that product but looks like they are not selling it anymore. any other site which i can check?

 

[D3athD00r]

http://www.vehiclecheck.co.za/

Problem is it isn't free. You'll have to pay.

 

[Fazda]

You can get an HPI check, but quite frankly, if the dealer has mentioned a front end prang, then it was large enough to merit reporting - I would walk away right now, no matter how nice the car seems.

 

[Ramsy]

http://www.vehiclecheck.co.za/

Problem is it isn't free. You'll have to pay.

thanks its exactly what i was looking for

 

[Fazda]

thanks its exactly what i was looking for

Just a word of warning on HPI - I worked with it every day, and not all prangs end up being reported.

If the previous owner had an out of insurance job done, the car will get a clean bill of health with HPI - another one of these wonderful SA systems that is only as good as the guy filling in the forms.

WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL

 

[ToxicBunny]

You can get an HPI check, but quite frankly, if the dealer has mentioned a front end prang, then it was large enough to merit reporting - I would walk away right now, no matter how nice the car seems.

Agree with this wholeheartedly. Cars are never the same after a big smash.

 

[Ramsy]

You can get an HPI check, but quite frankly, if the dealer has mentioned a front end prang, then it was large enough to merit reporting - I would walk away right now, no matter how nice the car seems.

you definitely have a point, its actually her first car. she really likes the car. Giving her as much info as possible.

 

[Fazda]

you definitely have a point, its actually her first car. she really likes the car. Giving her as much info as possible.

PLEASE let your sister read this thread!!

DO NOT BUY with the heart!!

There are plenty of other cars out there.

 

[ToxicBunny]

It's your sisters first car??? Walk the fsck away from the deal.. now. Do her a favour...

 

[Ramsy]

Just a word of warning on HPI - I worked with it every day, and not all prangs end up being reported.

If the previous owner had an out of insurance job done, the car will get a clean bill of health with HPI - another one of these wonderful SA systems that is only as good as the guy filling in the forms.

WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL

good point, what I`m doing for me is doing the check. if i cant find any information, then I definitely know they didn't go through insurance.
That way I know not to get the vehicle

 

[ToxicBunny]

Trust me... even if they went through insurance. If the dealer mentions the front smash just walk away from the deal if it is your sisters first car.. no amount of loving the car will make up for the potential issues you are walking intom

 

[Fazda]

good point, what I`m doing for me is doing the check. if i cant find any information, then I definitely know they didn't go through insurance.
That way I know not to get the vehicle

Actually, I have to reply to this - just to warn people about HPI checks - all that it will tell you is that it has been in an accident and it cost X Rand to fix it - unless you are really up to speed with Panel Beaters and what they charge, you really don't know what the costs relate to.

That brand new Fiat 500L that I was in last year when I was hit by a runaway truck hitting a Corsa into me had just under R 100 000 worth of damage according to the first Panel Beater, and just over R 50 000 to the guy who finally fixed it. We supplied new tail gate, bumper, rear window and rear three quarter panel and the car is as good as new, unless you know that it's been in an accident. Now if you were to look at HPI and the first guy did it - it's 100k worth of damage - shock and horror, whilst 50 k is not so bad in comparison.

Bottom line, if HPI or THE DEALER WHO IS SELLING it says that it's been in an accident, unless it is very minor - WALK AWAY!!

 

[Fazda]

Sorry, I'm on a roll now, and must just add one more story.

In 1997, for my sins, I briefly worked at a Used Car dealership in Main Road Plumstead.

When I started the job there was an immaculate 9 month old Jetta CLX with 6000 k's on the clock, standing on the floor. For me, working at a Used Car dealership was like letting an alcoholic loose in a bottle store, and I immediately wanted to buy the Jetta, as it was going for an amazing price.

The owner/manager of the business then offered it to me at an even better price, so I was about to contact the bank and settle with the deal when something made me open the cubby hole and look at the service books - no sweat, all was in order - the car had been sold to a lady in Stellenbosch by Barons Claremont - all very kosher - and her phone number was there, so I simply picked up the phone to ask her why she had sold such a beautiful car.

Interesting phone call - it went:

Hi - I'm just phoning to ask you about the Jetta you sold.

My Jetta? Why? I didn't sell it......... I haven't seen it as I was unconscious when it was towed away after the accident.........are you phoning from a scrap yard??

Well - thank goodness I made that little call, as the car showed NOTHING on HPI as it had been bought direct from the insurance company and fixed without ever having to smell HPI.

Basically it was two shells stitched together - bloody good job, but a write off in anyone's language.

BEWARE

 

[Ramsy]

thanks everyone. finally convinced her not to buy the car. hopefully she will get the car she wants. currently only interested in a ford fiesta and kia rio

 

[ToxicBunny]

Good move...


And ALWAYS ask about accident damage when you're looking at a car.... don't expect the salesman to offer it up without being asked.

If she's looking for either of those vehicles, she will find something decent, there are tons of them out there.

 

[Rouxenator]

I would only take that if your only other option is a former rental car.
Crashed cars are better than rental cars.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I would only take that if your only other option is a former rental car.
Crashed cars are better than rental cars.

Not by a long shot..

 

[Rouxenator]

Not by a long shot..

Maybe by a short shot.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Maybe by a short shot.

Not really..

Rental cars from the big groups can actually be pretty damn good buys for good money... The cars are generally well looked after mechanically. Cars in accidents, well no not so much.

 

[rorz0r]

I bought a car before HPI was a thing, and some of the older "imported" data isn't very detailed. There was a report on there for 70k damage but no date, no details of who quoted on it or anything like that. BUT because it was there and I wanted to sell it the finance place *required* me to provide invoices etc of what was fixed and obviously I didn't have them or any clue what they were to do with. I don't know how the dealers etc manage to sell them etc but for a private sale it was a no go unless I could provide those invoices.