High price-car buyers urged to check model history

Buyers of higher priced cars are urged to check their vehicles before purchasing them, as they could be buying cars with hidden histories.

The prevalence of this has meant there is now a one in three chance of purchasing a car with a hidden history, with only 17 per cent of car history checks being carried out.

Rob Whalley, managing director of Experian\'s Automotive division, said: "Buying a used car is risky and not enough people are aware of the issues or take the necessary precautions.

With one in every three cars checked in the UK having a hidden history?the possibility of buying a car that still has outstanding finance, that is recorded as stolen or has been written-off, is high."

Hire purchase agreements and lease purchase deals are among the new car finance deals being exploited in this practice.

Consumers who wish to avoid being stung by these practices are urged to conduct data checks before they purchase a car.

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