HPI caution - previous plate

[Dog Biscuit]

About to head off to a dealer to see an older Z4 and the vehicle check comes back fine apart from the private plate change.

It's listed as follows (with my XX in place for privacy):

PXXXX 21/08/2005
XX53XX 15/01/2004

Have checked the PXXXX registration and it is assigned to another car, but the ownership has changed three times since 2005.

Most recent keeper change 04/01/2011
Dates of other changes
23/12/2008
06/03/2007
09/08/2005

Any quick advice, heading out to see it for 3pm today?

My initial thought is that "it's just a plate change", but what do I know?

Thanks.

 

[123BillyB]

About to head off to a dealer to see an older Z4 and the vehicle check comes back fine apart from the private plate change.

It's listed as follows (with my XX in place for privacy):

PXXXX 21/08/2005
XX53XX 15/01/2004

Have checked the PXXXX registration and it is assigned to another car, but the ownership has changed three times since 2005.

Most recent keeper change 04/01/2011
Dates of other changes
23/12/2008
06/03/2007
09/08/2005

Any quick advice, heading out to see it for 3pm today?

My initial thought is that "it's just a plate change", but what do I know?

Thanks.

When you check the car, have a look at the "Retention Certificate" for the plate (V778) and the V5C (log book), if they tally up you haven't got a problem.

Billy

 

[gov]

plate changes are quite common with zeds or other special cars - my previous car had two changes with personal plates and my current one was on a personal plate - and i've put my own plate on mine since I bought - as long as everything recorded is sequential I would'nt worry. If its an early car it's normal to have had several owners.

Good luck

 

[srhutch]

As above, it's just where somebody has put a private plate on.

 

[Dog Biscuit]

When you check the car, have a look at the "Retention Certificate" for the plate (V778) and the V5C (log book), if they tally up you haven't got a problem.

Billy

Car has the original plate on it again - would there be a retention certificate to view? ... and would the original number plate be listed as back on the car already (unless it's just been put back on?)

Thanks to all for the quick responses.

 

[srhutch]

there will be no retention cert. Do a DVLA web check to satisfy yourself that the correct plate is on the car.

https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/enquiry?execution=e1s1

 

[Dog Biscuit]

there will be no retention cert. Do a DVLA web check to satisfy yourself that the correct plate is on the car.

https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/enquiry?execution=e1s1

Reg, make and first registration tally up

 

[srhutch]

You just need to double check when doing insurance. Admiral still have my reg as being on my old car which I sold 2 years ago.

 

[123BillyB]

When you check the car, have a look at the "Retention Certificate" for the plate (V778) and the V5C (log book), if they tally up you haven't got a problem.

Billy

Car has the original plate on it again - would there be a retention certificate to view? ... and would the original number plate be listed as back on the car already (unless it's just been put back on?)

Thanks to all for the quick responses.

If it's back on the original plate, just make surethe V5C confirms this.

If the pprevious owner unregistered the private plate (so they now hold the retention certificate), they would of been issued a new tax disc (if any time left) and a new MOT showing original plate number so as long as they all tally up, it's all ok..

 

[cj10jeeper]

Purchased a 1 series for my daughter 2 months ago and it had 3 different plates on with previous owners and all came out the wash with the same one as it had on date of first registration. Now back on another private plate with her.

If anything it shows owners who care more than finding the car had just been a company car, used an abused.

As above so long as the V5C, MOT certificate and tax disc all line up with the displayed plate you're good to go. Of course just check the visible VIN to V5C as well

 

[Ewazix]

The adverts for the HPI sites and mobile services really annoy me with that scaremongering "1 in 3 cars have a hidden history" bull*, they lure you in with a free search and a 'hit' to scare you in to paying for the full result but every 'hit' has turned out to be a plate change. Still better safe than sorry

 

[cj10jeeper]

The adverts for the HPI sites and mobile services really annoy me with that scaremongering "1 in 3 cars have a hidden history" bull*, they lure you in with a free search and a 'hit' to scare you in to paying for the full result but every 'hit' has turned out to be a plate change. Still better safe than sorry

Much rather than be had slightly over a barrel for a search fee, than loss of the car in xx months when there's a knock on the door or a revealing MOT result.

 

[original guvnor]

HPI clear doesn't always mean it is safe. There was an article about it on the Beeb last week. A guy bought an RS Turbo Escort, HPI'd it, which came back good (on data supplied by DVLA) and it turns out it was stolen a few weeks before from a guy who had been abroad with work. Before he'd got back and noticed it had gone, it had been sold on and sold in good faith to this poor bloke.

 

[Converted Steve]

The adverts for the HPI sites and mobile services really annoy me with that scaremongering "1 in 3 cars have a hidden history" bull*, they lure you in with a free search and a 'hit' to scare you in to paying for the full result but every 'hit' has turned out to be a plate change. Still better safe than sorry

Much rather than be had slightly over a barrel for a search fee, than loss of the car in xx months when there's a knock on the door or a revealing MOT result.

Had the same with mine when I bought it in August original full HPI check revealed a plate change so paid another HPI fee to have that plate checked out as well, double checked everything, V5C, previous MOT's, Service history etc, even spoke to previous owners to make sure everything tied up.

My thought was as yours, better to pay a relatively small fee now than have problems in the future, to many unscrupulous people out there ready to scam you these days, better to safe than sorry.

 

[Dog Biscuit]

Everything checked out including the VIN.

The car itself has some wheel kerbing, but for a 90k/9 year old car I'm not too surprised. Two very minor car door dings on passenger, rear bumper has a minor "spider web" effect in the paint where a stud is behind it, possibly from someone pushing in to it slowly when parking. The M Sport seats look in great condition including the bolsters, drivers door handle (inside) looks to have worn the paint down. Brand new Michelin Pilot Sport 3s all round, MFSW, bluetooth prep, amplifier, Xenons, wind deflector, heated seats, cruise etc. Roof looks fine, although there is a very small water stain, which I'm not sure about, but will investigate. Engine bay looks dusty rather than clean or wet, paint and panels look fine, carpets good.

History of service is middling at best. Servicing to 50k with BMW, next 3 at independents/Kwik Fit (!) Rang Kwik Fit who confirmed what was done and the mileage too.

Test drive was great... engine sounds great, handling felt great, clutch felt great, car was a dream to drive. Different feel to my former S2000, but both lots of fun and feedback.

They've agreed to put it through a fresh MOT, three months warranty included (am mulling a 6 month add on that covers all systems for £120 given that it costs that much just for someone to assess some problems).... and pick it up on Thursday

Let's see where it takes me from there, could be a good deal, could need some work, but that's a 90k 9 year old car

 

[marypoppins]

All sound good to me looked at link and car looks tidy. Difficult to judge just by pics alone. The car will never be perfect as u said its nine years old . Wheels can be sorted no problem, probably worth just checking on roof stain but certainly looks tidy inside for a car of this age and mileage.