Keep Your Car Roadworthy with HPI: Essential Vehicle Safety Tips
As February draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reassess your driving habits and ensure your vehicle is in safe, reliable condition for the year ahead. Keep Your Car Roadworthy with HPI by prioritising vehicle safety. HPI, the UK’s leading provider of vehicle history checks, urges motorists to recognise the hidden risks in their vehicles—whether it’s a stolen car, inaccurate mileage, or a history of past accidents. Key Risks in Your Car’s History With over 250 cars flagged daily for security concerns, and 1 in every 28 cars on the HPI register listed as written off, it’s crucial to verify your car’s history. In 2024, more than 50,000 cars were reported stolen, and over 662,297 vehicles had altered mileage readings. Keep Your Car Roadworthy with HPI by regularly checking your vehicle’s background to avoid these hidden risks. 1. Prioritise Regular Vehicle Maintenance Routine maintenance checks are key to keeping your car roadworthy with HPI. Neglecting tasks like checking tyre pressure, oil levels, and brakes can lead to mechanical failures and accidents. A proactive maintenance approach not only preserves your car’s value but also keeps it safe and reliable on the road. 2. Keep Software Updated to Enhance Security As vehicle technology evolves, staying on top of software updates is crucial to keeping your car roadworthy with HPI. For example, keyless entry systems are vulnerable to car theft when criminals intercept key codes. Stay informed about recalls or software updates that address these security concerns, ensuring your vehicle is always protected. 3. Verify Your Vehicle’s Mileage Over 1,800 cars daily are flagged by HPI for having tampered odometers. Whether you’re buying a used car or verifying your current vehicle’s mileage, it’s essential to keep your car roadworthy with HPI by ensuring accurate mileage readings. Odometer fraud can compromise the safety and value of a vehicle. 4. Protect Against Vehicle Cloning Vehicle cloning, where criminals alter a car’s identity, is on the rise. To keep your car roadworthy with HPI, always check your car’s identity using an HPI Check to ensure it hasn’t been cloned. Cloning can lead to serious legal issues if you unknowingly purchase a stolen car. 5. Avoid Used Car Scams Buying a used car requires diligence to avoid scams. Use HPI to keep your car roadworthy with HPI by identifying risks like insurance write-offs, outstanding finance, or stolen vehicles. An HPI Check is essential for making an informed and safe purchase. 6. Know Your Vehicle’s Full History Whether you’ve owned your car for years or are purchasing a new one, knowing its full history helps you avoid costly surprises. An HPI Check provides an extensive report sourced from the DVLA, police, and insurance companies, revealing any hidden issues that could affect your car’s value and safety. To keep your car roadworthy with HPI, always know your vehicle’s full history. 7. Drive Economically for Safety and Savings Driving economically not only helps you save on fuel but also improves vehicle safety. Smooth driving, maintaining a steady speed, and avoiding sudden braking help reduce wear and tear on your car. These habits can help keep your car roadworthy with HPI by minimising unnecessary repairs and ensuring long-term reliability. Insight from Matt Freeman at HPI Matt Freeman, managing consultant at HPI, shares: “HPI’s vehicle history checks help motorists identify potential risks such as mileage discrepancies, written-off cars, and stolen vehicles. By regularly checking your car’s background, you ensure safer driving and avoid unnecessary financial surprises.” HPI has been a trusted provider of vehicle history checks since 1938, offering the most comprehensive service to verify a car’s past. Whether you’re buying a new car or simply checking your own, an HPI Check is your best defense against fraud. Protect Your Car with HPI As we wrap up February, make sure your vehicle is ready for the year ahead. Keep your car roadworthy with HPI by ensuring your car’s history is clear of any issues. HPI’s vehicle checks provide essential information to keep you safe on the road, from identifying stolen cars to flagging mileage discrepancies. Protect your investment, ensure your car’s safety, and drive with confidence. For more information or to run a vehicle check today, visit HPI.co.uk.
Stolen Finance Vehicles Recovery: How NaVCIS and HPI Are Making a Difference
The recovery of stolen finance vehicles is essential to protecting buyers and preventing fraud. NaVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service) leads the effort, working closely with HPI. Together, they track and recover stolen vehicles still under finance in Eastern Europe. By using advanced technology and precise data, they combat vehicle fraud and safeguard buyers. How NaVCIS and HPI Recover Stolen Finance Vehicles NaVCIS, a UK-based police unit, focuses on recovering stolen finance vehicles. The team targets regions like Bulgaria and Romania, where criminals frequently re-register stolen UK cars. The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) funds NaVCIS to tackle this issue. Criminals acquire cars through finance agreements, either under their own names or using fake identities. After securing the vehicles, they swap the number plates and ship the cars abroad. Once they arrive in another country, criminals attempt to re-register them. HPI and NaVCIS help authorities swiftly identify stolen vehicles and recover them before they are sold. The Role of HPI Checks in Stolen Finance Vehicles Recovery HPI plays a key role in the recovery of stolen finance vehicles. Their comprehensive database and real-time vehicle data help law enforcement identify stolen cars and those with outstanding finance. Local authorities across Europe rely on this data to act quickly and recover stolen vehicles. Sharon Naughton, Head of NaVCIS, explained: “HPI helps us identify stolen finance vehicles quickly. Their data allows us to act efficiently, returning stolen vehicles to the finance companies.” HPI’s Data Supports the Recovery of Stolen Finance Vehicles Across Europe NaVCIS and HPI have achieved an impressive recovery rate. Nearly 80% of stolen finance vehicles flagged by HPI checks have returned to their rightful owners. In Bulgaria alone, HPI identified 14 stolen vehicles, recovering seven there. Four additional vehicles were found in Romania during the re-registration process. This collaboration ensures stolen vehicles return to UK finance companies. HPI’s real-time data helps prevent criminals from profiting from stolen cars. Protect Yourself: The Importance of HPI Checks As vehicle fraud increases, protecting yourself when buying a used car becomes essential. An HPI check reveals if a vehicle has been stolen or has outstanding finance. HPI’s detailed reports equip buyers with the information they need to make safe, informed decisions. An HPI check provides a full vehicle history, including accident damage and previous ownership details. It helps buyers avoid stolen vehicles and cars with unresolved issues. Stay Protected: Check Your Vehicle’s History with HPI Before buying a used car, always run an HPI check. It ensures the vehicle is free from hidden problems and hasn’t been stolen.