Being told that checks on my car don't add up - advice?!

[mrrossi]

Hi all

I'm currently trying to sell my Maserati Coupe GT (CU53OSD, it's on Autotrader) and I've had a couple of odd responses from people I've spoke to about checks they'd ran.

One guy said "why did it change ownership a few weeks ago"? I told them it hadn't, I've had it over a year*. I asked where they'd seen this and they said total car check. I've been on there and it gives me some basic info which looks fine, otherwise I have to pay which I'm reluctant to do.

I then spoke to a dealer about a possible part exchange yesterday and he said "are you sure it's 56,000 miles and not 156,000 miles?". Erm, yes, sure! He said the vehicle check wasn't matching up, but he'd look into it and get back to me (which he hasn't yet).

Makes me worry that there's some "dodgy" info out there?! I did some searching on this forum and checked a few of the recommended sites. Car checking dot com gave me the most and shows my ownership and mileage history all correctly, so does carsnitch. The other recommended ones - vcheck and motorcheck need me to pay so haven't proceeded.

Do I need to worry / is there some iffy information about there putting people off buying my car? Been trying to sell for ages now - I know its a unique vehicle and a tricky market currently - but want to make sure people aren't walking away due to misinformation!

• In hindsight I'm wondering if this guy just misread the year and it looked like it was a few weeks back but it was 1 year + a few weeks?!

Thanks all
Rx

[Mammasaid]

Have you checked the free Gov.uk sites?

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

[mrrossi]

Mammasaid said:

Have you checked the free Gov.uk sites?

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

Yes - all correct on there.

[simon_harris]

Buy a HPI check or similar, if nothing else you can show it to potential buyers and shut down any conversations like this, they are only a few quid

[oldaudi]

You should do a Car Vertical check for a few quid, there are lots of discount codes available and a small price to pay for a good history on the car. Might also help selling the car because you can show it to potential buyers.

[mrrossi]

Thanks guys, sounds like it's worth me spending a few quid just to reassure potential buyers

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

oldaudi said:

You should do a Car Vertical check for a few quid, there are lots of discount codes available and a small price to pay for a good history on the car. Might also help selling the car because you can show it to potential buyers.

Don't do a Car Vertical check, infact don't ever spend anything on anything shilled by YouTubers.

Do a Vcheck instead, much cheaper

[MattsCar]

Scam.

They try to get you to buy one of their car checks...you click on a link and say goodbye to your money.

Numerous posts about it in the past.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by MattsCar on Wednesday 26th February 10:57

[mrrossi]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Don't do a Car Vertical check, infact don't ever spend anything on anything shilled by YouTubers.

Do a Vcheck instead, much cheaper

Thanks - seems both are recommended by people on these forums, will compare what you get and decide.

[mrrossi]

MattsCar said:

Scam.

They try to get you to buy one of their car checks...you click on a link and say goodbye to your money.

Numerous posts about it in the past.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by MattsCar on Wednesday 26th February 10:57

Thanks, aware of the various scams - don't think that's the case here. Think the first guy have made a genuine error with the dates now I think about it; and the dealer may have just been making excuses to lowball me... will call him back in a mo and see what they say.

[mrrossi]

Interesting update - just spoke to another dealer about a p/x and he's used an Experian based check - there is a "flag" on there for a mileage discrepancy! He quoted a DVLA flag from 2010 for a very high mileage that's clearly incorrect.

Looks like a clerical error but need to get it sorted; will see if I can contact Experian and get it resolved.

BTW I did opt for a Car vertical check in the end and nothing flagged on there! For around 2010 I've got:

01/2009 19,325 mi
01/2010 22,103 mi
10/2010 23,881 mi
09/2011 28,328 mi

Which matches with my other records.

[mrrossi]

Experian have no phone number!! Sent them an email.

Contacted DVLA on Webchat and they directed me to call the DVSA.

They've checked and all looks fine. The only thing they said was that it could flag up if it's had a private plate at some point - which it has had.

Annoying. Waiting now for Experian to respond...

[Jiebo]

mrrossi said:

Interesting update - just spoke to another dealer about a p/x and he's used an Experian based check - there is a "flag" on there for a mileage discrepancy! He quoted a DVLA flag from 2010 for a very high mileage that's clearly incorrect.

Looks like a clerical error but need to get it sorted; will see if I can contact Experian and get it resolved.

BTW I did opt for a Car vertical check in the end and nothing flagged on there! For around 2010 I've got:

01/2009 19,325 mi
01/2010 22,103 mi
10/2010 23,881 mi
09/2011 28,328 mi

Which matches with my other records.

Never waste your money on car vertical, it’s an inferior product to vcheck