Real-life stories: Stolen cars and vehicle checks

Some leading car history checks don't reveal important details about stolen and recovered used vehicles

That's the claim from bosses at CDL, who power the Used Car Expert vehicle data checks (also referred to as HPI Checks). The vehicle data company believes that the loophole means motorists aren't always informed if a car has been stolen and subsequently retrieved. Roger Powell, General Manager said, "All data suppliers take the police stolen marker off a car when it has been recovered, but we always inform our customers. The information is available and the implications for the buyers can be potentially disastrous."

He continued: "If it has been stolen, it's likely the car was taken with a key, as more than 85 per cent of vehicles are these days. So, where are all the keys?"

A spokeswoman for rival firm HPI explained: "Whether a car shows up on the register depends on its condition once it has been recovered. If it was undamaged it won't be flagged up, as it won't affect the value of the vehicle. However, if it was damaged we tell prospective buyers."

Real-life story:

"I received a call from the police asking to inspect the vehicle late in Feburary. The inspection happened and the car was identified by the police as being stolen, so was taken away. The police tell me the seller was also an innocent victim. I am trying to get my money back from him on a monthly basis as he claims to have no money. The outcome of this is uncertain." Name and address supplied

Real-life story:

"The vehicle was stolen in May 07 and went through a number of buyers until myself in November. I do not know if any work has been done on the car. However it has had a crash and been repaired at some point which the insurers, when calculating a price for me to buy it again were not aware of and therefore did not take into account.

I was advised by the insurers yesterday, they wish to dispose of the car within the week if I do not purchase it from them.

Also, do I have a case with the AA for them carrying out the inspection incorrectly?" Name and address supplied

Real-life story:

"I saw the vehicle on Auto Trader website and contacted dealer to arrange viewing. The company apparently deal in finance repossessions cars. I was shown all relevant vehicle paperwork including a V5 and noted VIN number to do my own checks. I paid a £500 cash deposit as car appeared to be in order and I was told car would be delivered to my home address once they had received my inter bank transfer for payment balance. I proceeded to carry out my own HPI check, which came back clear. Bank transfer took place and delivery was arranged.

On delivery day I received a phone call from dealer asking me how I would be paying £165 for the delivery. Charges were never mentioned before and I told the dealer I would drive up and collect the car from their address within the next 2 hours (approx 1 hr drive). I received a phone call while on the way, from Pete saying he had to go and would leave paperwork in the car and keys in the exhaust! When arriving I could see that paperwork had not been left and tax had been removed from windscreen. The following day I made numerous phone calls to the company and was finally told that the paperwork had been sent recorded delivery. Paperwork didn't arrive by following week and myself and my wife proceeded to contact DVLA to apply for new docs. We also contacted Hampshire Police with our concerns to be told they would not look into it as it was a civil matter!

I also contacted Wokingham police and the Metropolitan police to be told the same. My wife called Auto Trader, Trading Standards and Inland Revenue to try and get someone to contact the trader but nobody would help. After continual phonecalls and pleas to the police and DVLA with our concerns we kept being told the vehicle application can take 6 weeks and its standard procedure! On Friday 11th Jan my wife received a call from Hampshire police who had been contacted by DVLA because they had reason to believe our new car is a cloned vehicle. The Police came to our home to inspect the car and found that it was indeed a cloned car. The police have taken away the car and we have lost our money.

These car dealers had several other cars advertised on the Auto Trader at the time but have seemingly done 'a runner' from their depot since Christmas. We were trying to get the police and trading standards to visit the depot from the first week of December." Name and address supplied

Real-life story:

"My son is at University in Birmingham and needed a car to make journeys to various placements. He worked 6-7 days a week throughout the Summer to raise half of the total purchase and we provided the rest. When we sent the slip to DVLA for registration, I was called back and told the car needed to be checked prior to the registration. I got my son to bring the car back to London. The car was checked and we were told it had a false identity. We were given a receipt but have lost the car and our £5,000." Name and address supplied