Why Anthony Betts Motor Group checks all cars with HPI

The original and the best

HPI have been checking the histories of used cars since 1938. HPI were the first to introduce this invaluable service and after many years of experience in the industry have made 'getting an HPI Check' a commonly used phrase. But if you want a vehicle history check carried out by the real experts, always look for the official HPI logo. HPI have access to more car data than anyone else and their thorough investigations have helped hundreds of thousands of people avoid purchasing cars that have been stolen, clocked, written-off, or that have unpaid finance against them, saving them from unnecessary costs and heartache.

Why HPI is important

HPI's role in the second-hand car market is crucial. It provides private car buyers, car dealers, finance houses, and the insurance industry with access to information on all UK registered vehicles. Using HPI ensures that vehicles are legal and will really belong to the people who buy them.

As well as confirming whether a vehicle has outstanding car finance, is recorded as stolen, or has previously been written-off, HPI's used car check also confirms many other details, including the make, model, colour, door plan, and engine size. HPI data checks that these match the descriptions recorded against the vehicle at the time of manufacture, protecting the interests of the motorist and helping dealers meet their legal obligations. HPI also have access to the National Mileage Register, the UK's largest database of mileages, to alert car buyers and dealers to potential mileage discrepancies.

The way forward

Since our online service was launched, 60% of all our vehicle status checks are now processed by HPI on the internet. As the pioneers of used car history checks, HPI will continue to invest in new technology to provide dealers and used car buyers with the most reliable information, and strive to make access to vehicle information even easier.

Historic beginnings

HPI was formed in 1938. When the fraudulent re-financing of motorcars was becoming a real problem, the six main lenders gathered data on their hire purchase agreements, to ensure that people couldn't repeatedly use their cars as security for multiple loans.

Important dates in HPI's history

1938 - HPI founded
1947 - Police provide HPI with stolen vehicle information
1980s - Leading insurers provide car accident history data
1990s - HPI are sold to two leading credit referencing organisations; first Infolink, then Equifax,
further expanding our range of services
1992 - HPI appointed to run CRiS on behalf of NCC
1993 - HPI used car information becomes nationally available to the general UK public
1996 - HPI electronically tag all new CRiS registered caravans
1997 - HPI and IMVA (Independent Mileage Verification Association) jointly launch the National
Mileage Register
1999 - HPI launch a convenient online vehicle data check service
2000 - HPI and IMVA merge to create a new independent information company dedicated solely
to the needs of the motor industry and the motoring consumer
2001 - HPI launch consumer check service online
2001 - HPI launch Motorhome MINDER on behalf of SMMT
2002 - HPI launch online service to motor trade customers, including Exchange, the online
vehicle stock publishing facility
2004 - HPI acquired by Norwich Union Insurance, the UK's largest insurer
2008 - HPI celebrates 70 years of providing services to the automotive industry.
2008 - HPI is acquired by Solera Inc, a leading global provider of claims solutions