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Win or lose - don't play the car lottery, says FLA and What Car?

Win or lose - don't play the car lottery, says FLA and What Car?

Released on 19 May 2010

Car buyers are being urged not to take a gamble when purchasing a used car, with one in every three vehicle history checks showing some form of hidden history.  

The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) is using this week’s National Car Crime Awareness Week to encourage car buyers to carry out a comprehensive background check before buying, to protect not only your finances, but to also ensure your own safety and the mechanical safety of your vehicle.  

Figures from FLA members – HPI and Experian – show that vehicle checks reveal a third of used cars bought have hidden histories. This may be an outstanding finance agreement, the car may have been stolen or written off, or it may have been obtained fraudulently. 

A recent What Car? online poll1 indicated that more than 60% of buyers are taking the gamble and not getting a vehicle history check conducted when buying a used car.  

Paul Harrison, Head of Motor Finance at the FLA, said:  

“If you’re going to spend money on a car it makes sense to check its history, just as you would get a survey before buying a house. But beware, not all checks disclose a cars full history, such as outstanding finance. This means you could be taking a huge gamble in buying a car without all the available information. It could leave you out of pocket and you may even lose the car you’ve just bought if the rightful owners come to collect it. A full history check costs very little in comparison to the cost of a vehicle and provides genuine piece of mind.” 

“If not picked up in a history check, the mechanical condition of the car could also pose a serious safety risk, particularly if the vehicle has been clocked or previously been involved in an accident and repaired. 

“There are many companies offering background checks on used vehicles, but not all providers have access to complete information on a car’s history. We’re using this week to urge people to put their safety first and run a full car check.”  

Matt Sangar, Used Car Editor at What Car? said:

“Just crossing your fingers when buying a used car is madness. The sheer number of stolen vehicles, write offs, and cars still on finance make a history check essential.


“When buying a history check, make sure you check what’s included. The cheaper ones may look better value, but could fail to give a complete picture of the car’s history. Miss something important and you could end up out of pocket and without a car.


“The best history checks will not only show you if the car has unpaid finance, has been an insurance write-off or ever been reported stolen, but also provide a full description of the car, how many owners it has had, if it’s been officially exported, scrapped or had any registration plate changes.” 

- ends -

 Note to editors:

1 What Car? online poll conducted 14-16 May:

When asked ‘Did you purchase a vehicle history check the last time you bought a used car?’ respondents answered:

Yes, the cheapest I could find 14%

Yes, as detailed as possible 22%

No, I didn’t think of it 41%

No, it’s not important 21%

For more information visit: www.whatcar.com/fightcarfraud  

A comprehensive car history check should tell the following information:

  • If there is an outstanding finance agreement.
  • If a car has been written-off or involved in a traffic accident.
  • If a car has been recorded as stolen.
  • If a vehicle is being traced by a third party and is at risk of fraud or theft.
  •  A full description including the make, model, colour, date of first registration, engine size and number, transmission and number of gear, body style, year of manufacture.
  • How many owners the car has had.
  • If it has had any colour changes.
  •  If it has had any registration plate changes.
  • If it has been used and imported from outside the EU.
  •  If it has been exported.
  • If the DVLA have it recorded as scrapped.
  • Mileage information – has it been clocked? (Not available for all vehicles)
  •  Confirmation of the VIN before you buy. 

More advice about how to buy a car and how to avoid becoming a victim of motor fraud is available at http://www.fla.org.uk/motor/car_crime  

The FLA is the leading trade association for the motor finance sector in the UK. In 2009 FLA members financed £72.5 billion of new business. FLA members provided £16.5 billion of motor finance in 2009 and financed more than 45% of all new car registrations in the UK. 

We have an ISDN line available for interviews 

For further media information, please contact: 

Russell Hamblin-Boone, FLA

T: 020 7420 9656 E: russell.hamblin-boone@fla.org.uk M: 07810 374110 

Jacqui McClure, FLAT: 020 7420 9668 E: jacqui.mcclure@fla.org.uk M: 07918 766980