As a parent, it is vital that you find the perfect vehicle for your family’s needs. The majority of parents shop in the used car market because it is so much more affordable and there is so much to choose from, but it is important to be aware that the used car market can also be a dangerous place filled with unsafe and even illegal automobiles.
A Dangerous Market
There are numerous used car scams and fraudulent sellers (particularly online), so you need to know how to spot these and find high-quality, reliable vehicles. Additionally, it is impossible to know about a vehicle’s past simply by looking at it, but it could be harbouring a dark secret and a car’s history will determine how it performs in the future. Applying for car finance can help you find quality used cars.
History Check
Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this and it is something that every parent should use when shopping in the second-hand car market. This is to get a vehicle history check carried out by HPI. HPI finds that 1 in 3 of the automobiles that they check has some kind of hidden past, so it is clear how important this check is.
Data
A vehicle history check will use data provided by a range of important bodies to get a full overview of the car’s complete history. This includes data from insurance companies, the police, finance companies, the DVLA, SMMT, DVSA, manufacturers, wholesalers, dealerships and auctions.
Potential Secrets
There are many issues that a history check could highlight that could be hard or impossible to spot without. This includes if the car is reported stolen if there is outstanding finance on the automobile if it has been previously written off if the odometer is clocked and number plate changes.
First Line of Defence
A history check is the first line of defence against motor scams and fraudulent sellers. It ensures that there is no hidden past that will come back to haunt you once you drive the car off the forecourt and this provides complete peace of mind. In addition to a history check, you must also do a thorough examination of the vehicle, take it for a test drive and get a mechanic to provide their assessment.
The used car market can be a brilliant place to shop for families seeking an affordable car, but it can also be a dangerous market with a lot of unsafe or illegal cars for sale. Make sure that you invest in a safe used car with a vehicle history check.
