A large percentage of cars on the road have a hidden
history, don't get caught out.
The risks are :
- The car has been previously written off and then has
been repaired and put back on the road, sometimes the repairs are very
good and roadworthy but sometimes they are not and the car can become
a deathtrap in an accident. It will also mean that the price you pay
for the car may be well above it's true value. Reselling the car could
become very difficult if a prospective buyer does a data check before
you do.
- The car is subject to an unpaid HP contract which
means that the car is not legally the registered users property to
sell and could be at risk of being reposessed at any time regardless
of who the registered keeper is.
- The car has had a number plate change, quite common
and legal for a cherished number plate, but may hide a bad history
or it may not be the car it is registered as.
- The car may be one of the 375,000 that are stolen
each year some of which are sold to unsuspecting buyers who then have
to hand the car back to the rightful owner with no chance of compensation.
- Colour change of the car body, again may be quite
legitimate but again may hide the cars true identity.
Remember that a car is probably one of the biggest
purchases you will make. A small price to pay for that peace of mind.
Car Data Check
There are a number of online car data checks for used vehicles
Which can tell you:
- if the car has a finance agreement (HP etc) recorded against it
- if the car has been written off as a total loss by an insurance company
- if the car is at high risk of fraud or theft and is being tracked
by a third party
- if the car has had any number plate changes
- a full description of the car including make, model, colour engine
size and number, fuel type, date of first registration, door plan and
transmission.
- any colour changes the car has recorded