Survey reveals nine in ten used cars sold privately are dodgy

USED-car buyers are being urged to check carefully before purchase after a recent investigation revealed nearly nine in ten vehicles examined had a shady past.

Such “hidden histories” among models being sold privately included nearly one in three that had been stolen or still had unpaid purchase loans.

Others had undisclosed number plate and colour changes, and mileage anomalies.

Data investigation firm Experian said 88 per cent of the hundreds of thousands of vehicles it checked in the year to April had a hidden history.

It described 32 per cent of these as “critical issues”, such as being registered stolen or having outstanding finance.

A further one in eight vehicles – 13 per cent – had been previously written off after being stolen or damaged.

An estimated 2.5 million used cars are privately sold in the UK a year – some 40 per cent of the second-hand market.

An Office of Fair Trading survey two years ago showed nearly nine in ten such sales did not involve background checks, which cost around £20 each.

However, some motoring experts said the Experian figures could exaggerate the scale of the problem because buyers might be more likely to order checks if they were already suspicious about a vehicle’s history. Neil Greig, policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said buyers must be more careful.

He said: “This is a worrying survey and shows the value of making as many checks as possible on a used car before you buy.

“Many main dealers include vehicle history checks as part of their service and the reassurance that brings might be worth the extra price you have to pay.

“Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true then it probably is. Never part with your cash in a lay-by or car park when you have no chance of ever tracing the seller again.”

Automobile Association spokesman Paul Watters agreed that purchasers should beware bargain basement offers.

He said: “Many drivers are turning to the used car market to seek out a car that is more economical and reliable, but their hopes of cheaper motoring will be severely dashed if they buy a lemon.

“A simple car data check can significantly reduce that risk.”

Mr Watters said an AA Checking service had also revealed the extent of the problem.

He added: “If a data check is not carried out and a car with outstanding finance is purchased, the unwitting new owner will lose their car, with little hope of recovering the money. Purchasing a car with a hidden history can also lead to significant financial loss if the vehicle has been clocked or previously written off.”