Rogue vehicle history websites undermining confidence
Solera cap hpi is calling for regulators to crack down on rogue vehicle history websites.
It says these sites are providing motorists with poor-quality data, hidden subscription charges, and misleading marketing that suggests customers buying a genuine HPI check when they have actually purchased a report from an unrelated provider.
Solera cap hpi, which owns the HPI Check brand, has written to the Competition and Markets Authority, urging it to investigate these operators.
Chris Wright, regional vice president at Solera cap hpi, said: “Consumers rely on vehicle history checks to protect themselves when making one of the biggest purchases they’ll ever make. Instead, too many are finding themselves caught by hidden subscription charges, unclear pricing and reports built on data that simply doesn’t match the quality or depth buyers expect.
“We have alerted the CMA to what we believe are rogue operators in this market because consumers deserve transparency. If you’re buying a vehicle history report, you should know exactly what data sits behind it, what you’re paying for and whether the provider stands behind its information.”
Its own HPI Check draws on data covering more than 35 million live vehicles, works with all 45 British police forces and is backed by a £30,000 data guarantee. Every day it identifies around 975 insurance write-offs and detects 726 mileage discrepancies.
Wright concluded: “The vehicle history sector exists to reduce risk, not create more of it. Good provenance data protects consumers, dealers and lenders alike. Poor data and misleading sales practices erode confidence across the entire used car market. We believe it’s time for stronger action to ensure buyers know exactly what they’re getting before they part with their money.”
