What Is an HPI Check?

If you’re looking at used cars, you’ve probably seen terms like ‘HPI’ or ‘HPI Clear.’ But what’s an HPI check, anyway?

HPI checks reveal a car’s history — things you wouldn’t know just by looking at it. It can show if a car has unpaid finance, was written off in an accident, or even reported stolen.

You can’t usually get a free HPI check, but it’s a small cost for the confidence of knowing exactly what you’re buying. The name comes from HPI (Hire Purchase Investigation), which was one of the first companies to offer these checks. Today, the term is used more broadly, but the idea remains the same.

What Does an HPI Check Reveal?

The details in an HPI check report depend on the level of check you choose and may include:

Outstanding Finance

If a car has outstanding finance, it means there’s still an unpaid loan (outstanding loan) attached to it. This could be from a hire purchase agreement, a PCP deal, or another type of loan where the car was used as security. Until the debt is fully paid off, the finance company, not the seller, legally owns the car.

If you buy a car that is still in an active finance agreement, it may be involved in finance fraud, and you could end up in a difficult situation. The finance company has the right to take the car back, even if you bought it without knowing.

Stolen Car Check

If a car is listed as stolen on the Police National Computer, it still legally belongs to the original owner or their insurance company. The seller has no right to sell, and if you purchase it unknowingly, the police can seize it.

An HPI check quickly confirms if a car has been reported stolen. Some checks even go further and search international police databases, which is useful for imported cars. However, in general, if a deal seems suspiciously cheap or the seller is in a rush, take a step back.

Scrapped Car Check

A scrapped car is one that was officially declared unfit for the road and dismantled for parts. However, some sellers illegally rebuild these cars and sell them without telling car buyers. This is dangerous because scrapped cars are not meant to be driven again.

If a car was officially scrapped but is still being sold, something isn’t right. It may have been badly rebuilt, or someone could be using the identity of a scrapped car for another vehicle (known as car cloning). Either way, it’s a big risk.

Insurance Written-Off

When an insurance company writes off a car, it means the damage was bad enough that fixing it wasn’t worth the cost. Companies classify written-off cars based on the severity of the damage:

• Category A – The worst type of insurance write-offs. The car is completely destroyed and must be scrapped, with no parts reused.
• Category B – The car is too badly damaged to be driven again, but some parts may still be used on other vehicles. The body of the car must be crushed.
• Category S (formerly Category C) – The car has suffered structural damage, like a bent frame or damaged chassis. It can be repaired, but only if done properly.
• Category N (formerly Category D) – The damage is non-structural, meaning issues like faulty electrics, suspension problems, or cosmetic damage. The car may seem fine, but repairs will still be costly.

Stolen V5 Document Check

The V5C logbook (also known as the registration certificate) is an important document that proves a vehicle is registered with the DVLA. However, criminals sometimes use stolen or forged V5C documents to sell cars illegally. An HPI check can flag if a car’s V5C document has been reported stolen.

• If the logbook is stolen, the seller may not be the registered keeper, and the car could be taken back by the rightful owner or the authorities.
• Fake V5C documents can make stolen or cloned cars seem legitimate.
• Also, a stolen logbook might indicate other issues, such as a car being written off, clocked or used in criminal activity.

Vehicle Identity

A vehicle’s identity is tied to its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), chassis number, and registration details. If any of these have been tampered with, it could mean the car has been stolen, cloned, or involved in serious damage. Criminals sometimes alter these details to hide a car’s true history and make it look legitimate when it isn’t.

Plate Transfer

When a car’s registration number is changed, usually for a private plate, it makes it harder to trace its history. Even though this is often done for personal preference, some sellers use plate transfers to hide past issues. A different registration can cover up a write-off, mileage discrepancies, or even a stolen vehicle.

If you don’t check the previous plate, you might miss important details linked to the original registration.

Number Plate and VIN/Chassis Number

Every car has a unique VIN and chassis number that should match the details in the official records. An HPI check confirms these numbers and that the car isn’t hiding a shady past.

MOT History

An HPI check shows a car’s MOT status, including its current classification, past test results, and any advisories or failures.

• If a car has failed multiple MOTs for the same problem, like rust or brake issues, it could mean poor maintenance.
• Advisory notices highlight parts that may need fixing soon. A long list could mean big repair costs ahead.
• Past MOT records help spot mileage fraud (clocking), where the odometer is rolled back to make the car seem less used.
• If a car barely passed its last MOT and had several advisories, expect possible repairs before the next test.

Import and Export Status

An HPI check will tell you if a car was originally built for another country or has been registered as exported.

Imported vehicles may not meet UK car safety or emissions standards, which makes insurance more expensive or harder to arrange. They can also be trickier to repair if parts are different or harder to find. If a car is marked as exported, the DVLA database has recorded it as leaving the country. So, if it’s still for sale in the UK, something may not be right.

How Long Does an HPI Check Take?

Once you’ve purchased an HPI check, the results appear instantly. You’ll also receive an email with the HPI check report details and a reference number, which you can use to update the data if needed.

What Doesn’t an HPI Check Tell You?

HPI checks tell you a lot about a car’s past, but they don’t cover everything. If an accident wasn’t reported to insurance or the car wasn’t written off, it won’t show up in the report. That’s why it’s always worth asking the seller about any past damage.

Of course, not every private seller will be honest. If you want extra peace of mind, you can arrange a pre-purchase inspection. A mechanic will check for signs of previous repairs or hidden damage that might not be obvious.

An HPI check also won’t tell you who the previous owners were, but that information wouldn’t reveal much about the car anyway. Another thing to keep in mind is that service history isn’t included. To make sure the car has been properly maintained, ask the seller for the service book.

Can an HPI Check Be Wrong?

An HPI check report is highly reliable, but like any system, it’s not perfect. Mistakes happen due to outdated records, errors in the database, or incorrect information from previous owners or insurers. If something doesn’t look right, you can contact the HPI provider to verify the details or request an update.

How Often Will This Happen?

You only need to do an HPI check once before buying a used car. If you already own the car and just want to check its status, perhaps before selling it or just for reassurance, you can do more HPI checks anytime.

How Much Is an HPI Check?

An HPI check cost can be anywhere from £1.99 to over £20, depending on the provider and how much detail you want. You should always go for the most thorough HPI check you can afford. If a car still has unpaid finance, the finance company technically owns it until it’s fully paid off. That means they have the right to take it back — even if you’ve bought it — which leaves you without a car and out of pocket.

Even if you end up spending around £20, this small step could save you from a big mistake. Also, if you’re buying from a dealer, ask if they can provide a free HPI check; many do this to reassure buyers.

Final Words: Is an HPI Check Worth It?

A car history check gives you a lot of useful data points at a relatively low cost.

If you’re looking to save money, there are cheaper alternatives that let you focus on what matters most. For example, an older car is less likely to have outstanding finance. Some details, like MOT history and mileage records, are available for free online. Just be cautious of websites that claim to offer free HPI checks because they often provide limited or unreliable information.

Also, please remember that no HPI check is 100% foolproof. Some written-off cars that have been repaired may not appear in reports. That’s why you should have a mechanic look over the car — they can spot signs of hidden history, like past damage or poor repairs, that a vehicle history check might miss.