The company behind the original HPI Check has called on regulators to take action against a growing number of vehicle history websites it claims are misleading motorists with poor-quality data, hidden subscription charges and questionable sales practices.
Solera cap hpi, which owns the HPI Check brand, has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) urging it to investigate operators it believes are damaging consumer confidence in the vehicle provenance market.
The intervention comes amid wider concerns about so-called drip pricing, recurring subscription traps and misleading online marketing. Solera cap hpi says consumers can mistakenly believe they are purchasing a genuine HPI Check when they have actually bought a report from an unrelated provider.
Image: Solera cap hpi
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.”
The HPI Check brand has become so widely recognised that the term is now frequently used generically by motorists looking to check a used vehicle’s history. According to Solera cap hpi, this recognition creates opportunities for copycat websites that can mimic the branding or presentation of the established service while offering different products and operating models.
The company argues that the issue extends beyond subscription pricing and website design to the quality and provenance of the underlying vehicle data.
Motorists buying a vehicle history report should establish where the information comes from and whether it includes comprehensive records covering areas such as police, DVLA, insurance and outstanding finance information. They should also establish whether the provider offers a meaningful guarantee covering the information supplied.
Solera cap hpi says its own HPI Check service draws on data covering more than 35 million live vehicles, works with all 45 British police forces and is supported by a £30,000 data guarantee.
The company says its systems identify around 975 insurance write-offs and 726 mileage discrepancies every day, highlighting the role that vehicle history data can play in identifying potential risks before a used vehicle is purchased.
Alongside its call for regulatory action, Solera cap hpi has published guidance intended to help motorists avoid potentially misleading vehicle history websites.
It advises consumers to look beyond the headline price of a vehicle check, confirm they are buying from the genuine HPI Check website, understand where the vehicle data has originated and establish whether the report is supported by a meaningful guarantee.
The concerns come as the CMA continues to prioritise consumer protection in digital markets, including action against misleading online reviews and hidden pricing practices under its strengthened powers.
Solera cap hpi believes similar scrutiny should be applied to the vehicle provenance sector, arguing that consumers need to be able to make informed decisions when purchasing vehicle history reports.
Wright added: “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.”
With used car buyers increasingly relying on online vehicle history checks before committing to a purchase, the company argues that greater transparency over pricing, data sources and guarantees is essential to maintaining confidence in the used car market.
