How to find out if a car is stolen?

tonyyeb · 11 Jan 2007 at 16:18

Hi all

Been looking on ebay for a project car. One im looking at has the V5 missing and the key is 'lost'. It is a 1987 Mini which the guy has had in his garage for 3 and half years awaiting restoration. Im a bit suspicious about the lack of a V5 and key.

How can I find out more history about this car before bidding?

Thanks

needmorespeed · 11 Jan 2007 at 16:23

get an hpi check done on it

tonyyeb · 11 Jan 2007 at 16:23

needmorespeed said:
get an hpi check done on it

Can you recommend a site? Can I get it done without the owners permission? Is it 100% accurate? I don't want any come back if it is found to be stolen. Thanks

West · 11 Jan 2007 at 16:34

RAC do HPIs dont they?

About £30 too if I remember.

ci_newman · 11 Jan 2007 at 17:14

Unless you've got the chassis number, even a HPI might not be correct. He may have just seen a similar mini for sale and copied the plates!

Unless he can provide a V5, or you can check the VIN i'd stay away

Swissy · 11 Jan 2007 at 18:12

ci_newman said:
Unless you've got the chassis number, even a HPI might not be correct. He may have just seen a similar mini for sale and copied the plates!

Unless he can provide a V5, or you can check the VIN i'd stay away

Second that

There's plenty cars you can have , walk away from something like this

Nazbit · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:58

Make sure you get a HPI check done, no matter what car you buy.

That one however sounds suspect, walk away, dont look back.

tonyyeb · 12 Jan 2007 at 09:39

West said:
RAC do HPIs dont they?

About £30 too if I remember.

Looked at the RAC website and started doing the HPI check but it asks for V5 number and MOT number. Neither of which is present. How do I do a HPI without these?

HangTime · 12 Jan 2007 at 22:15

tonyyeb said:
Looked at the RAC website and started doing the HPI check but it asks for V5 number and MOT number. Neither of which is present. How do I do a HPI without these?

You can do an HPI check without V5 and MOT, it's just recommended and is required for the guarentee IIRC. But you should still be able to do one without it, unless they've changed things in the last couple of months...