Car failing HPI check after warranty work

[Jack96]

Hi All,

I am new here and after a little advice...

I purchased my Kia Proceed GT back in 2018 used from a main dealer. Just 2 weeks later the digital dash cluster failed, which was promptly replaced under warranty. However this cluster change reset the cars odometer to 0.

5 years later, I am in a position where I am looking to move the car on, in fact I pretty much did a deal over the phone with a garage on a new car, with my car going in as a part ex valued at 8.5k. Upon arrival to view the vehicle, the garage told me they are unable to buy my car due to it failing HPI checks as a result of the mileage discrepancy... I have tried multiple other dealers etc, who are all in the same boat and will not touch my car as a part ex with this HPI issue. I have since contacted the dealer I bought my car from, who have been less than helpful with any of this.

Feeling a little stuck with what to do next, so my question is... is my car really that unsellable with this issue? Do I potentially have a legal case here, as due to no fault of my own I am potentially not getting my cars full value?

Cheers

[Scrump]

A difficult situation.
I am surprised that the dealer didn't code in the correct mileage on the replacement cluster when it was fitted.

[Fatboy]

Firstly, top lurking!!!!!

Secondly, how about getting one of those mileage correction companies to change the milage so it lines up with what people expect to see as if the dash was never changed?

[Jack96]

Fatboy said:

Firstly, top lurking!!!!!

Secondly, how about getting one of those mileage correction companies to change the milage so it lines up with what people expect to see as if the dash was never changed?

Would make the situation much worse. As the past 4 or 5 MOT's show the 'new lower mileage'.

[cuprabob]

The dealer who changed the cluster should have provided documentation to say the cluster was changed and at what mileage therefore providing a documentation trail of evidence to the true mileage.

If it was done under warranty there will be a record of it. Keep at them.

[samoht]

The issue you have is that the car's displayed mileage will have been recorded at each MoT (and possibly at garage visits in between), and this recorded history will show a drop in mileage in 2018 when the new zero-valued odo was fitted.

From what I've read it would be difficult/impossible to get this recorded mileage history changed now.

Do you have a receipt from 2018 showing that a new odometer was fitted, the mileage up to that point, and that it was fitted showing zero miles?

I can see two possible ways forward
- the dealer who fitted the zero-mile replacement odometer could agree to buy the car off you for £8.5k
- you could sell the car privately, you could probably achieve the same money; most private buyers at this level would be happy to accept the mileage discrepency given proper documentation of the replacement odo.

[Jack96]

cuprabob said:

The dealer who changed the cluster should have provided documentation to say the cluster was changed and at what mileage therefore providing a documentation trail of evidence to the true mileage.

If it was done under warranty there will be a record of it. Keep at them.

I have a record in my service book and the invoice for the work carried out. I have even contacted national HPI and sent them all the evidence, however all they can do is confirm with a garage or potential new owner who contacts them, that I have provided supporting evidence.

[Jack96]

samoht said:

The issue you have is that the car's displayed mileage will have been recorded at each MoT (and possibly at garage visits in between), and this recorded history will show a drop in mileage in 2018 when the new zero-valued odo was fitted.

From what I've read it would be difficult/impossible to get this recorded mileage history changed now.

Do you have a receipt from 2018 showing that a new odometer was fitted, the mileage up to that point, and that it was fitted showing zero miles?

I can see two possible ways forward
- the dealer who fitted the zero-mile replacement odometer could agree to buy the car off you for £8.5k
- you could sell the car privately, you could probably achieve the same money; most private buyers at this level would be happy to accept the mileage discrepency given proper documentation of the replacement odo.

I have a stamp in my service book and the invoice for the work.

I have of course contemplated a private sale, but I fear I still wouldn't get the price point I should with this issue.

[cuprabob]

Jack96 said:

I have a stamp in my service book and the invoice for the work.

I have of course contemplated a private sale, but I fear I still wouldn't get the price point I should with this issue.

With regards to value, I'm assuming you basing your valuation on the actual mileage and not the displayed mileage?

[rallycross]

cuprabob said:

The dealer who changed the cluster should have provided documentation to say the cluster was changed and at what mileage therefore providing a documentation trail of evidence to the true mileage.

If it was done under warranty there will be a record of it. Keep at them.

Have had several cars with speedo changes over the years all ok with something from the dealer to show what was done when (its not uncommon) - bigger problem is people pretending the displayed mileage is correct (which you are not doing so no issue really). get a letter or email from the dealer who fitted it if you dont have any other proof (no invoice presumably as warrant not paid work - the dealer will have a note of the work).

[samoht]

Personally the mileage wouldn't bother me as it's not some high-value mileage-sensitive car like a Ferrari Pista, and the single discrepency that exists is fully documented - so the mileage is no more "uncertain" in my eyes than on any other car.

I don't see you losing money in a private sale tbh. Firstly private sale prices are typically higher than dealer trade-in, so you're starting out ahead anyway. Secondly while some buyers might pull out if they discover the mileage history, others won't even check, and many more would be happy to accept your explanation given that it's fully backed up with the relevant paperwork. Most buyers, by the time they pay for an HPI check have already basically decided they want to buy your car, so they'll be inclined to accept any decent explanation given.

I would advertise privately, list it at the true (higher) mileage, and put in the ad something like "Mileage XXk, displayed mileage only YYk due to documented odometer replacement in 2018 at ZZk miles". That way you're up front with people, so if they later buy an HPI report it will only be confirming what you have already told them.


You mention a legal case, I think the two obstacles here are (a) you accepted the car back from the dealership with zero miles prominently displayed on the dashboard five years ago without complaint, and (b) it's not obvious how one would calculate how much the car is devalued by, and hence how much compensation you might be due.

My view would be that the hassle of selling your car privately would be (much) less than the hassle of trying to pursue the dealership through the courts, and more likely to result in you ending up 'whole' i.e. not losing out financially.