[alexh]

Hi,

I have found advice I have read on here that other members have asked for really helpful. I was hoping someone could help me out and explain how exactly previous owners are counted on a vehicle history.

Have come across an interesting R32, so thought I would run a HPI check on it through AutoTrader. There weren't any issues, apart from the registration plate I entered was a private plate and the checker said to get the complete VIN.

Also the number of previous owners, 10, seemed very high to me. The check came back with the following previous owner dates.

05/05/2013
25/02/2012
10/10/2011
21/09/2011
06/08/2011
11/12/2010
26/09/2008
07/07/2006
07/05/2004
14/03/2004

The dates in 2011 look really suspicious to me, why would the car change hand so many times? Could it be if someone part-exed it at a dealership, than then flogged it on to another dealership, that then sold it on?

Interested to know what everyone thinks? Usually I wouldn't be interested in a car which has changed hands so often but because of the speciality of the R32 it's got me reconsidering everything.

Thanks in advance.
Alex

 

[cuprabob]

Cars like these can change owners frequently as some people are easily bored and move onto something else or under estimate the running costs.

These days if the car goes through a dealer it doesn't count as an owner, neither does a plate change.

 

[Wiggsy]

Is the car being sold by a dealer or privately? I would certainly ask questions of the seller as to why the car had 3 changes of owners in 2 months - a dealer is perhaps more likely to be able to confirm.

If its a dealer selling it then it should come with some form of warranty and of course mileage & condition should be consistent for the age.

If you're still uncertain then walk away there will be another one around the corner soon enough.

 

[CorradoR32]

Yeah as Bob said. Cars like the R32 drink more fuel than people expect and aren't as fast as people expect either, so they can change hands frequently. M3s are the same. Once people get wind of the inspection 2 cost, parts prices and fuel consumption, they sell it on.

 

[cuprabob]

Also, cars can change ownership within the family.

As said above, if something doesn't seem right then walk away as there are many good examples around.