Should I Run Or Should I Buy?

[gunner0098]

Hi all,

So, I'm heading to the UK this Saturday to buy a used Avensis (D4D T3-X, 47K miles). I have viewed and driven the car and it it currently on deposit for collection this weekend. She looks and drives great.

I decided to get a HPI check on the car and to my surprise and dissappointment, it came back with a warning, see below:

"Interest registered against a previous plate"

so, the report expands on the alert, with the following information:

Plate Transfer

The current plate was transferred to this vehicle on the 03/09/2008.

"NUMBER PLATE1" was applied to this vehicle on 21/12/2006

This VRM has been recorded as having an outstanding finance agreement

An outstanding finance agreement was recorded on the 05/12/2006 against Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4D T3.

"NUMBER PLATE2" was applied to this vehicle on 05/12/20006

There are on interests recorded against "NUMBER PLATE2"

I'm confused by this and some what worried. The existing plate as no interest recorded against it, but the previous plate has. So the plates were changed? Is this correct (and usuall)?

Can anybody help with this and maybe hazard an educated guess as to whats the story.

I have called the dealer about this and I'm waiting on his response.

Appreicate any help.

Thanks

S

[cabcurtains]

A full HPI check should reveal the finance company who have an interest, i would just ring them and ask if they still have an interest. If they dont, ask for a letter stating this is the case and the vehicle is clear of finance. If it does still have money on it then get the dealer to settle it before you do anything or walk away.

[gunner0098]

A full HPI check should reveal the finance company who have an interest, i would just ring them and ask if they still have an interest. If they dont, ask for a letter stating this is the case and the vehicle is clear of finance. If it does still have money on it then get the dealer to settle it before you do anything or walk away.

Thanks cabcurtains.

The dealer called me back to say that NUMBER PLATE2 is the original plate on the car when it was first registered. A private user put NUMBER PLATE1 on the car and the finance is against that plate. NUMBER PLATE2 is clear. The dealer is going to update this with HPI and also get a letter from the finance company to say the car is clear of finance. Sounds okay to me. I reckon it should be good to go.

Shows the value of the HPI check!!

[Pat2u]

A full HPI check should reveal the finance company who have an interest, i would just ring them and ask if they still have an interest. If they dont, ask for a letter stating this is the case and the vehicle is clear of finance. If it does still have money on it then get the dealer to settle it before you do anything or walk away.

Thanks cabcurtains.

The dealer called me back to say that NUMBER PLATE2 is the original plate on the car when it was first registered. A private user put NUMBER PLATE1 on the car and the finance is against that plate. NUMBER PLATE2 is clear. The dealer is going to update this with HPI and also get a letter from the finance company to say the car is clear of finance. Sounds okay to me. I reckon it should be good to go.

Shows the value of the HPI check!!

i was going to say it was first reg'd with a private plate, and the new plate will be issued for the area it is now being sold and not from its original area.

[Beagh1958]

To gunner0098,

Cannot pass comment on plate as i have no experience of such issues. But what i can tell you for certain is, if their is a dispute over the finance of any description that cannot be clarified walk away. The finance follows the car know matter how many previous owners it may of had & you being potential new owner will be chased for the money. The UK is awash with different variants of the Avensis range, have you no other options to consider. I have recently returned with a friend to inspect car he found on Auto trader from official Toyota dealer, we posed some questions & had invitation to rear of workshop to large car park. Full of different models a year or two older that they don't keep on front forecourt as it upsets the image of front forecourt, like to keep the nice newer models out front, got much better deal. If you have any doubt what so ever over finance walk away & buy elsewhere.

Good Luck, Beagh.

[carinfront]

Have to agree with the others here.

In my opinion, you need to get it sorted directly with the interested finance company for your own peace of mind, do not rely on the Dealer sorting it and giving you a piece of paper to say its all clear.

Likewise, there are loads of Avensis on the market. Plenty of choice to play with from plenty of Toyota dealers.

I always think if its too good to be true with the price of a car, then it usually is too good to be true !!

Good luck!

[gunner0098]

Thanks for the input folks.

I called HPI yesterday and they said they were conducting their own investigation into the car. They will call when they have a clearer picture of what is going on.

I'm also gonna call the finance company involved and get their side of the story, as said above, a piece from the dealer is not sufficient.

If there's any doubt, I'll be walking away!!!

Thanks

S

[Beagh1958]

To gunner0098,

Good man. That's the way, but remember you have a multitude of cars to pick from. You know yourself the bottom has fallen out of car sales here. I was in quite a popular Toyota dealer based up & down the west coast recently & would they do any kind of deal for me, absolutely not. Not even a set of mats & a full tank of fuel. They have had to good for to long, their living in a dream world, that let's prospective customers just walk out the door.

Regards, Beagh.

[gunner0098]

To gunner0098,

Good man. That's the way, but remember you have a multitude of cars to pick from. You know yourself the bottom has fallen out of car sales here. I was in quite a popular Toyota dealer based up & down the west coast recently & would they do any kind of deal for me, absolutely not. Not even a set of mats & a full tank of fuel. They have had to good for to long, their living in a dream world, that let's prospective customers just walk out the door.

Regards, Beagh.

Thanks Beagh1958.

HPI called me back and they have cleared the car. Good news thankfully.

Thanks again folks

S