How HPI Failed Us
We once trusted HPI to flag crash damaged cars, but after one particularly shocking purchase, we learned a harsh lesson: crash damaged cars can slip through standard car data checks unnoticed. After over 35 years in the automotive business, we’ve seen how devastating hidden damage can be—especially for private buyers. In this article, we’ll share our own cautionary tale and show you why a ‘clear’ HPI report isn’t always a cast-iron guarantee. Get ready for insider tips to uncover any car’s true history—so you can shop with confidence.
When A Car Data Check Falls Short
We agreed to buy a Porsche from a customer who enquired on our website. We did all the due diligence we could with the customer ( which also failed us as he is now in prison), on the car using HPI, and by asking questions (more on this later).
In theory, HPI should reveal serious crash damage histories, outstanding finances, and other red flags. But in this case, the report showed nothing.
accident damaged car
Rear Seats Bucked From Impact
Extensive Damage unrecorded car
front of 992 Porsche
Wheel Ripped off in accident
Buckled Floor and Suspension damage
Bucked Porsche Wheel
Front of damaged 992
Damaged 992
Front Airbags Deployed
Accident damaged car
We sent a deposit and a purchase contract with an explicit declaration asking, “Has the car had any serious accident repair?” the seller signed.
Typically, we’d never part with our money this early. However, the seller claimed another buyer was lined up, and because they owned a high-profile property business (and we were paying that business directly), we let our guard down. It felt safer than usual—though we soon discovered that appearances can be deceiving.On arriving with the Porsche, we quickly saw the truth: broken seals, poorly aligned panels, and paintwork that looked like it had been done in a cave—drips, debris, and all.
Key Issues We Spotted
- Glass Roof Alignment: If you pause our TikTok video immediately, you’ll notice the glass roof doesn’t sit flush with the seal.
- Shoddy Paint Job: Runs, grit, and poor finishing make it clear that a professional didn’t handle this.
- Panel Gaps: Doors and panels were misaligned, suggesting major structural repairs (or none at all).
This unexpected twist prompted us to seek assistance from one of our most reliable dealers, who recommended an alternative service to HPI—one that had only just saved him from purchasing a crash-damaged car, ironically labelled as “HPI clear.” Eager to verify our suspicions, we asked him to run the same check on our prospective purchase, and the results were every bit as shocking as we’d feared.
Here are the photos of the Porsche when the seller bought it from a salvage auction, not from the Porsche dealer, as he claimed. Oh dear.
How Can A Crash Damaged Car Be HPI Clear?
Is this car beyond saving? Not necessarily. But it’s light-years away from a high-quality, professional repair. And with all the airbags being triggered, including roof and side bags, this would usually have been written off and categorised by the insurance company.
Category Definitions for Damaged Vehicles
Not all damage is created equal. These “Cat” labels spell out how extensive a vehicle’s repairs may be:
- Cat A: Too damaged for any repairs; must be scrapped.
- Cat B: Too damaged for the road, but some parts can still be salvaged.
- Cat S: Serious structural damage, but potentially repairable if done properly.
- Cat N: Non-structural or cosmetic damage, usually repairable at a lower cost.
These categories are designed to help buyers make informed decisions about whether the bargain of an accident-damaged car outweighs the risks of buying one.
So, How Did Hpi Fail Us
Unrecorded Salvage: What It Means
Unrecorded salvage refers to cars not reported to insurers or authorities following an accident. This allows them to be sold on as salvage without an official black mark on their record. In our example, the Porsche had substantial damage, but the salvage auction listing uncovered by MotorCheck showed it was only labelled with “minor damage.” That’s a stark mismatch—and dangerous if you’re the buyer.
Why Did HPI Miss the Accident Damage?
Although HPI is a big name in the industry, it relies heavily on formal records—often leaving it in the dark about certain damages. Here’s where it can fall short:
- Limited Salvage & Auction Data: Vehicles that never officially go through insurance channels can slip under HPI’s radar.
- No Taxi/Private Hire Vehicle Records: HPI doesn’t access local council databases, so ex-taxis (typically higher wear and mileage) may look deceptively “clean.”
Why Is Motorcheck Better
MotorCheck starts with the same foundational data as HPI, then kicks it up a notch:
- Extensive Salvage Auction Records: Their database boasts over 3.5 million salvage listings, complete with photos and damage details often missing from insurance databases.
- Exclusive Taxi & Commercial Vehicle Data: MotorCheck is the only UK provider tapping into local council info, revealing whether a car served as a taxi or private hire vehicle (often a red flag for extra mileage and wear).
How to avoid buying crash damaged cars 16
Pricing & Value Comparison
Surprisingly, MotorCheck’s deeper analysis doesn’t come at a deeper cost. MotorCheck reports typically run about half the price of a full HPI check. This affordability allows more buyers and dealers to access the comprehensive data, promoting a more transparent used-car market.
What We’re Doing to Help You
We almost fell victim to the pitfalls of incomplete data, and we’re determined to ensure you don’t. That’s why we’ve partnered with MotorCheck to offer:
- A discounted rate for any vehicle check—just £7.99.
- A free MotorCheck on your next vehicle if you sell your current car to us. You’ll also get the report at no charge, so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Click Here to Get Your Reduced-Cost MotorCheck
Avoiding Accident-Damaged Cars
Is Buying An Accident Damaged Car A Disaster?
It might’ve cost us thousands if we’d gone ahead with our Porsche purchase, but we could have weathered this painful loss as a business. However, as a private individual, it could have been financially crushing.
Most people understandably shy away from damaged vehicles. Filtering out specific damage categories on sites like AutoTrader helps, but as our near-miss Porsche proves, not everything is recorded accurately.
Social Media Influence: Creators like Matt Armstrong may inspire confidence by showing how they repair high-end vehicles, but quality repairs can be time-consuming and expensive.
The reality is that if someone has set out to decide you into buying a crash-damaged car, then the chance is they’ll be cutting corners on the repair on the repair and could be using stolen parts.
What Are Your Rights?
1. Legal Protections in Private Sales
- Buyer Beware (Caveat Emptor): When buying from a private individual (not a dealership), the principle of “buyer beware” generally applies. This means you’re responsible for checking the car’s condition before handing over your money.
- Misrepresentation: The seller cannot mislead you even in a private sale. If they actively lie about the car’s condition or claim it’s never been in an accident (when they know otherwise), you may have grounds for a legal claim based on misrepresentation. However, proving misrepresentation can be time-consuming and costly.
2. How to Protect Yourself
- Conduct a Vehicle History Check: Use a comprehensive service (e.g., MotorCheck) to uncover any undisclosed accident history, write-off category, or outstanding finance.
- Get a Professional Inspection: If you’re not mechanically savvy, consider paying for an independent check by a qualified mechanic. They’ll spot signs of poor repair work or misaligned panels.
- Ask for Paperwork: Request receipts or documentation for any repairs or replaced parts. A private sale often involves less paperwork, so a complete service history indicates a well-maintained car.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off—like suspiciously low pricing, evasive answers, or a lack of clear paperwork—walk away. It’s better to miss out on a “bargain” than to buy a hidden headache.
Final Thoughts: Navigating a Risky Market
Purchasing a car privately places the burden on you to unearth any hidden problems. Unlike a dealership sale, your legal recourse is limited unless you prove the seller deliberately misled you. T
hat’s why thorough checks, professional inspections, and asking the right questions are essential to avoid a lemon. In our case, we later discovered the seller was involved in something far more sinister—and is now enjoying a holiday at His Majesty’s pleasure.
Let that be a clear reminder: when it comes to ‘buyer beware,’ you need to scrutinise more than just the car.
Get A Free MotorCheck Report
Buying a used car can be a great way to save money—if you have the right information!
To protect yourself, we recommend sticking to reputable dealers with a strong record for honesty and running a MotorCheck on every potential purchase. If you’re ready to trade in your current car, we’d be delighted to make you an offer. If we buy your vehicle, we will provide a Free Motorcheck Report on the car you’re replacing it with as a courtesy.
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