Help with car history?
Discussion
Im looking to buy a car from a dealer up North, and Im struggling to make things add up.
Firstly the dealer described it as 'immaculate' which to me means as it came out the show room. Having travelled 3 hours up the M6, it wasnt immaculate. It was good, but not 'mint' as described. Plenty of stone chips and wear on the drivers seat leather. Minor things in the big picture, but doesnt instil confidence in the dealer.
Secondly it was described as one owner, which upon inspection, it wasnt! It had been a lease/company car then I later found out was sold at auction last year, so it is now a 2 owner car.
But the most annoying thing is that I cant find anything on the registration plates. The last owner had a private plate on it, and trying to find information on that isnt getting me anywhere, and then going back and searching the original plate is getting me nowhere as well. The documents seem to add up, although the registration plate on the latest MOT certificate doesnt match the plate on the car (close, so Ive put it down to a typing error?). The VIN on the MOT cert matches the VIN on the car.
The dealer assures me that he has done the HPI check and all is fine, but with his ability to be a little less than honest with small details I want some confirmation from elsewhere before spending 5 figures on a car! It was sold last year at auction when Audi disposed of it after 3 years, and Ive got that information independently. The mileage then and now add up, and at that point it had FSH (still does) so that adds up as well.
Could anyone from Audi help with history, or at least verifying the car to be what it says it is? Not put reg plates or dealer's name here for obvious reasons.
EDIT; putting either the personalised, or original, plate in here doesnt come up with anything. https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/
Firstly the dealer described it as 'immaculate' which to me means as it came out the show room. Having travelled 3 hours up the M6, it wasnt immaculate. It was good, but not 'mint' as described. Plenty of stone chips and wear on the drivers seat leather. Minor things in the big picture, but doesnt instil confidence in the dealer.
Secondly it was described as one owner, which upon inspection, it wasnt! It had been a lease/company car then I later found out was sold at auction last year, so it is now a 2 owner car.
But the most annoying thing is that I cant find anything on the registration plates. The last owner had a private plate on it, and trying to find information on that isnt getting me anywhere, and then going back and searching the original plate is getting me nowhere as well. The documents seem to add up, although the registration plate on the latest MOT certificate doesnt match the plate on the car (close, so Ive put it down to a typing error?). The VIN on the MOT cert matches the VIN on the car.
The dealer assures me that he has done the HPI check and all is fine, but with his ability to be a little less than honest with small details I want some confirmation from elsewhere before spending 5 figures on a car! It was sold last year at auction when Audi disposed of it after 3 years, and Ive got that information independently. The mileage then and now add up, and at that point it had FSH (still does) so that adds up as well.
Could anyone from Audi help with history, or at least verifying the car to be what it says it is? Not put reg plates or dealer's name here for obvious reasons.
EDIT; putting either the personalised, or original, plate in here doesnt come up with anything. https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/
Edited by Condi on Saturday 4th October 11:35
Condi said:
EDIT; putting either the personalised, or original, plate in here doesnt come up with anything. https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/
No, that'll only trace by the plate that's actually on it now.HPI it yourself.
Sir Bagalot said:
He you tried HPIing it? If you have problem call them as they are rather helpful.
I have tried, under both new and old plates, and seem to be getting nowhere!Will give them a ring and have a chat. I've already paid for a full search anyway so not worried about taking up some of their time. Thanks.
Okay, managed to make a bit more sense of things. It didnt help that I had the wrong registration plate to start with. 

Spoke to the dealer to get the right plate, then to HPI who were very helpful. Seems to all check out, which is encouraging. Will just have a chat with Audi to see what they have to say.
Thanks for all your help!


Spoke to the dealer to get the right plate, then to HPI who were very helpful. Seems to all check out, which is encouraging. Will just have a chat with Audi to see what they have to say.
Thanks for all your help!
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