If a car has been on private plates and before you buy it the dealer is putting it back onto it's original reg number, how does one go about doing a HPI check? I'm wanting to run a quick HPI on the car I'm hoping to pick up at some point soon - before I actually pay for it. The car in question has had 3 different reg numbers since it was sold new: the original reg number then the two subsequent owners had it on private plates. I don't know what the previous numbers where although the selling dealer does have record of them. Can a HPI be done using the VIN number?
HPI check
- Thread starter Dewi
- Start date
Hi Dewi,
When I've used HPI it has always shown if the vehicle has been on a private plate (Not the plate No thou) and any history that you want to be aware of while registerd under the private plate - I.E. the private plate(s) make no difference to the search.
Stu.
When I've used HPI it has always shown if the vehicle has been on a private plate (Not the plate No thou) and any history that you want to be aware of while registerd under the private plate - I.E. the private plate(s) make no difference to the search.
Stu.
Thanks Stu, the Problem is that I can't get past first base as it's not recognising the original number, which is all I have. That's the number that will hopefully be going back on it. I've just sent the dealer an e.mail to ask if he can mail me the previous numbers (which he has) so when they arrive I'll try those and see what happens. He's already had an HPI check done but I would like to run my own - just belt and braces really
HI,
Sounds a bit strange - The last time I used HPI I used the DVLA given number even thou at the time the car was still on a private plate, with no problems. If all else fails, as you say you can use the VIN number, part of the HPI is to match the reg number(s) with the VIN anyway, which is why it seems a bit strange (But I'm sure nothing to worry about).
Stu.
Sounds a bit strange - The last time I used HPI I used the DVLA given number even thou at the time the car was still on a private plate, with no problems. If all else fails, as you say you can use the VIN number, part of the HPI is to match the reg number(s) with the VIN anyway, which is why it seems a bit strange (But I'm sure nothing to worry about).
Stu.
All the info was available via the previous private reg which the seller mailed to me this evening. Everything checks out clear so we're good to go 
I just wish the DVLA would get their finger out and hurry up with the plate transfer.
I just wish the DVLA would get their finger out and hurry up with the plate transfer.
DVLA are irrelevant to your purchase and enjoyment of your new Zed. Just drive the car on its current plates until they process the paperwork. I drove mine on previous reg for months due to them delaying paperwork never had a problem with insurance and had it MOTd and taxed on previous reg too.
When the DVLA eventually caught up they sent me a new updated tax disc too.
Welcome to the forum btw!
When the DVLA eventually caught up they sent me a new updated tax disc too.
Welcome to the forum btw!
By the sounds do it your advising that the car is not yet back on the original plate? To do a HPI Check today you would need to use the current reg plate that's on it. You can only use the original plate number once this has been reassigned back onto the car by the DVLA.
I assume it's being bought from an Indy dealership and not a BMW AUC as they do the HPI check and provide you with the certificate.
Unfortunately as all work is now carried out in Swansea it's take a good bit longer to transfer than it used to via the local office.
Edit - just seem that you've got the info but this might help others in the future.
I assume it's being bought from an Indy dealership and not a BMW AUC as they do the HPI check and provide you with the certificate.
Unfortunately as all work is now carried out in Swansea it's take a good bit longer to transfer than it used to via the local office.
Edit - just seem that you've got the info but this might help others in the future.
The problem is it has no reg at the mo, the previous owner has taken his personal plate off it and put it on a bloody Suzuki! 
Obvioulsy the data hasn't been changed though yet, it should go back on it's original number but we have to wait for it to be re-allocated to the car
Obvioulsy the data hasn't been changed though yet, it should go back on it's original number but we have to wait for it to be re-allocated to the carDewi said:The problem is it has no reg at the mo, the previous owner has taken his personal plate off it and put it on a bloody Suzuki!
This doesn't sound right. If he has submitted the correct paperwork then at the same time as he transferred his plate onto the Suzi the Zed will have reverted back to its age related plate complete with updated V5 etc. If he has simply took the 'physical' plates off the car and stuck them to the bumpers of his new one then he is jumping the gun and the Zed should still be displaying the plates until the DVLA send out the certs allowing both of you to have plates made up with the relevant marks. The Zed cannot be without a reg no at any point in time, it is either on the private plate or the age related. A phone call to Swansea should confirm which it is at the moment.
Regarding HPI checks, the one I got a couple of years ago showed all previous private plates that had been on the car so was clearly done on the vin not the plate which makes sense as plates are not static whereas vins are.
GreyZed said:Dewi said:The problem is it has no reg at the mo, the previous owner has taken his personal plate off it and put it on a bloody Suzuki!
This doesn't sound right. If he has submitted the correct paperwork then at the same time as he transferred his plate onto the Suzi the Zed will have reverted back to its age related plate complete with updated V5 etc. If he has simply took the 'physical' plates off the car and stuck them to the bumpers of his new one then he is jumping the gun and the Zed should still be displaying the plates until the DVLA send out the certs allowing both of you to have plates made up with the relevant marks. The Zed cannot be without a reg no at any point in time, it is either on the private plate or the age related. A phone call to Swansea should confirm which it is at the moment.
Regarding HPI checks, the one I got a couple of years ago showed all previous private plates that had been on the car so was clearly done on the vin not the plate which makes sense as plates are not static whereas vins are.
Exactly. The person who the plate belongs to doesn't have that number yet as it will be removed, the old number assigned back to the Z'd and then it'll take a few weeks for them to transfer the reg onto the guys new vehicle.
At least your happier now and have done the check. The DVLA shouldn't take too long in removing the plate and instantly reapplying the original reg, the other bloke will have the longest wait.
Infact if you put the private reg number into this government site https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk it will confirm if the Z'd is still showing the private plate. If it then you can check re the original plate being assigned.
This doesnt answer your question but I thought I would post this anyway.
It has been known for a private plate on a vehicle that was written off once transferred onto a new vehicle it still shows on the new vehicle that its a write off.
I wonder if it can go the other way where if the original plate is put on after a write off using a private plate does it still show on the system?
Surely checks must be able to be made using the VIN number.
It has been known for a private plate on a vehicle that was written off once transferred onto a new vehicle it still shows on the new vehicle that its a write off.
I wonder if it can go the other way where if the original plate is put on after a write off using a private plate does it still show on the system?
Surely checks must be able to be made using the VIN number.
I wondered the same thing but I had to confirm the VIN on the HPi and they matched it to the reg plate, my guess is that the reg no is only a start to get you onto the site, most of the searches once logged in and the VIn is confirmed are done using that. Pure conjecture of course but I can't see that going only by the no plate can be an accurate account of the car's history if it's had plate changes
