Experian car check – Incorrect information on Cat N car

[Mandat]

I’m asking for a family member, and I’m hoping that somebody can help me out who has knowledge or experience with this.

A 3 year old car was bought from a dealer in June 2019, via Auto Trader. At the time of purchase an Experian car check was carried out, which showed the car as being all clear.

Roll on to today, and the car is up for sale, but the purchaser has done their own HPI type check, which comes back with the car being a Cat S write off, back in January 2019.

The question is why the Cat S did not show up in June 2019, when it was recorded against the car in January 2019?

Is there any recourse against the dealer, over 3 years after originally buying the car?

Also is there any recourse against Experian / Auto Trader for the incorrect information that they provided at the time of purchase?

Thank you in advance for any help & advice with this.


Edit: The car is actually Cat S. I've corrected this in the OP.

Edited by Mandat on Monday 24th October 17:23

[Canon_Fodder]

Mandat said:

Is there any recourse against the dealer, over 3 years after originally buying the car?

Short answer is 'Yes'. Dealer is an expert and should have known (or checked) the status of the car before selling it.

That's the route I'd take (if dealer Ltd co. still exists...)

[quinny100]

Have you confirmed with your own HPI/Experian check that the vehicle is showing as recorded?

I'd be sceptical of anything a potential buyer showed me - they could be trying it on.

[V8 Bob]

Cat S should show on vehicle V5. If it was added after it was bought should have had a new V5 issued

[papa3]

Check the details of the Cat recording. If there has been a precious cherished plate this can cause the paste association to show a false record.

If it is a write off the fault lies with the dealer. They may have recourse against their hpi provider.

Don't expect full refund if it goes this way. You have had use of the vehicle.

[Dan W.]

If you want to post the reg number i will hpi it for you

or message me

[E-bmw]

quinny100 said:

Have you confirmed with your own HPI/Experian check that the vehicle is showing as recorded?

I'd be sceptical of anything a potential buyer showed me - they could be trying it on.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

In the first instance at least, the buyer COULD be trying it on in the hope of your ignorance.

[Mandat]

Thanks for the assistance so far.

The most recent car check was carried out by the family member themselves, and is therefore genuine.

The V5 does not state anything about the Cat S status, therefore it looks like DVLA are not aware of this.

We are waiting for a reply from Experian / Auto Trader as to why their car check in June 2019 did not reveal the Cat S status that was applied in January 2019.

This seems to be the only real avenue to explore, as the car dealer who sold the car was wound up in 2021 and the company doesn't exist any more.