Back to Industry News

4 out of 5 used car buyers don’t ask if the car they are about to buy is a manufacturer recall


HPI Safety Recall Check protects consumers against buying a car with a fault or default

In recent months, nearly 4 million vehicles worldwide have been recalled, with both Nissan and Vauxhall recalling faulty models; in 2015, car manufacturers issued more recalls than ever before*.  However, a new survey from vehicle history check provider, HPI, reveals that 83% of respondents admitted it hadn’t occurred to them to ask the seller of the vehicle they now own, if the manufacturer had issued a recall notice against it.

“With one in 10 unrepaired recalled vehicles still on the UK’s roads, and trading in the used car arena, safety must be paramount for buyers looking to invest in their next set of wheels,” explains Phillip Nothard, cap hpi consumer and retail editor.   “However, the good news is manufacturers offer an unlimited time for repairs, meaning second and third owners can still get a recalled vehicle fixed free of charge.” 

“Indeed, the UK’s automotive industry boasts one of the highest recall and repair success rates across the world, exceeding 90% following a recall campaign,” continues Phillip Nothard.  “Since 2011, over 6 million cars in the UK have been returned to dealers because of faults or defects, and repaired free of charge by manufacturers.”

The recently launched HPI Safety Recall Check gives buyers the ability to instantly identify if the car they are about to purchase has been officially recalled, giving them peace of mind that the car is safe drive and doesn’t pose a threat to them, their passengers and other road users.  Crucially, the HPI Safety Recall Check is the only check that provides recall information on a specific vehicle using the vehicle’s number plate.

Furthermore, it adds yet another layer to the car buyer’s most comprehensive vehicle history check, the HPI Check®, further protecting buyers against making a costly mistake. The HPI Check confirms whether a vehicle is currently recorded as stolen with the police, has outstanding finance against it or has been written off. It also includes as standard, a mileage check against the National Mileage Register, with over 200 million mileage readings.

Phillip Northard concludes, “The UK recall process is one of the best in the world and the HPI Safety Recall Check supports that system to make it even better. Now, buyers can check against their vehicle’s number plate to find out if their own car is indeed a recall, allowing them to benefit from free repairs and helping manufacturers boost successful repair figures even more.”