Best data check? (HPI etc)

Adam · 12 Jan 2007 at 15:29

Are there any viable alternatives to the HPI check? I have always used the HPI check before but it seems a little pricey at £40. I see others advertised for less, but are these reliable? Its rather annoying as I have been told by the trade it costs around a pound for this information.

Need one doing by tommorow so something on t'internet ideally.

tonyyeb · 12 Jan 2007 at 15:34

RAC do a HPI online for £25.

carlosvr6 · 12 Jan 2007 at 15:57

For a cheap hpi check:

text CHECK (then space) and Registration number of car to 88600.

Total cost about £2 i think

Never used it myself so cant comment on how reliable it is but google brings quite a lot of info up.

Adam · 12 Jan 2007 at 15:58

I have a feeling, although I haven't checked that this may just be the HPI filter check that is available for £19 (or used to be). Can't see RAC providing the full check for £25 and undercutting HPI.

Adam · 12 Jan 2007 at 15:59

carlosvr6 said:
For a cheap hpi check:

text CHECK (then space) and Registration number of car to 88600.

Total cost about £2 i think

Never used it myself so cant comment on how reliable it is but google brings quite a lot of info up.

Yep, this is where my question comes from. Lots of adverts offering checks for a fraction of the price. Just wanted to know if they were any good really.

Would rather pay £40 and be done with it than waste my time doing it 2/3 times to save a few quid.

tonyyeb · 12 Jan 2007 at 16:43

Here is a review of some of the more popular HPI checks:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/65055/used_car_checks.html

Adam · 12 Jan 2007 at 17:04

Fantastic, looks like the RAC is good value for money.

HangTime · 12 Jan 2007 at 22:08

Adam said:
Can't see RAC providing the full check for £25 and undercutting HPI.

HPI is part of the RAC (they are both owned by Aviva/NU) and the RAC check uses the HPI database, so there is no real difference between the two checks. However it's not a full HPI check in the sense that it doesn't check quite as many registers (mileage being the only one of any real consequence) and you won't get a postal certificate in addition to an emailed one (big wow).

The reason they undercut the premium product is because HPI needs some cheaper 'lite' products to compete with their Experian powered rivals.

The cheapest genuine HPI check you can do is www.carstatuscheck.com . This is identical to the RAC check except it is £5 cheaper.

Well that's not strictly true, since ebay checks (£6.99) also use HPI but the only way you can do them is through the ebay website i.e. on a specific vehicle that's been advertised there.