Car buyers must remain vigilant against cut n shut vehicles
A cut 'n' shut is two crashed or written-off vehicles of the same make and model which have been illegally welded or stitched together to form what appears to be a complete car. In the last ten years the number of vehicles that have been written-off by an insurance company has risen 86% to a total of 790,000, and this figure is likely to be exacerbated in the last 12 months with plummeting used car values making vehicle repair even less cost effective for insurers. This means criminals have a larger pool of vehicles than ever before from which to create potentially deadly cut 'n' shuts.
The economic downturn has seen a dramatic fall in the prices of used cars, tempting some motorists who spot a bargain to snap it up quickly. However, car buyers should not to rush into any purchases, regardless of its appearance – as they could end up hurting a lot more than their wallet with a dangerous cut ‘n’ shut.
Although there is a greater awareness of cut ‘n’ shut vehicles amongst consumers today, it is still something buyers should remain vigilant against, due to the potential risk involved with driving one. These cars are fundamentally dangerous because the integrity of the structure has been interfered with, significantly weakening its ability to withstand impact. In some instances, cut ‘n’ shuts have been known to actually break into two when involved in an accident.
The HPI Check plays a crucial role in warning customers of a potential cut ‘n’ shut. Firstly, it can detect if the identity of a vehicle has been tampered with by cross-referencing the vehicle’s registration number (VRM) and its unique 17 digit vehicle identification number (VIN). If these do not match, it could signify criminal activity. Furthermore, an HPI Check will let you know if the vehicle has been written-off in the past and to what degree, giving the buyer invaluable tools to help detect a potential cut ‘n’ shut.
Nick Lindsay, Director of HPI, says “Any cut ‘n’ shut vehicle is bad news for motorists. It may sound unbelievable, but many cut ‘n’ shuts created by skilled welders and mechanics would not be detected by most car buyers. Whilst people can be taken in by shiny paint work and a low ticket price, it is important to remain aware of the possible dangers. Being cautious could save you from ending up with a death-trap that’s not only a danger to themselves, friends and family but other road users.”
In addition to uncovering potentially dangerous vehicles, the HPI Check can warn of other pitfalls when purchasing a used vehicle such as outstanding finance; a growing problem in the current economic climate. The HPI Check will also tell you if a car is currently recorded by the Police as stolen, check the V5 document to ensure it is not one registered by the DVLA as stolen, and confirm if the mileage is discrepant by checking against the National Mileage Register.
Nick Lindsay concludes “As well as not being suitable for the road and potentially lethal in a collision, cut ‘n’ shut vehicles could leave buyers out of pocket in the long run as it will be deemed worthless when they come to sell it. It’s therefore essential that people make sure they take the necessary steps before purchasing a vehicle, including a history check and independent vehicle inspection. This will help identify whether the car is twice the car a buyer may think it is.”
How to sopt a cut ‘n’ shut:
• Always view the car in daylight. Viewing in poor light, rain or at night can make it harder to spot any flaws.
• Look for mismatched panels, doors, bonnet and any other joins.
• Look for any traces of spray paint on the door handles and glass.
• Look at the supporting pillars and doorframes for any signs of welding. Pulling back the car upholstery in these areas may reveal welding joints or differences in paint colour.
• Make sure you check for mismatched or badly fitted upholstery.
• Check the MOT and past service history. Make sure it is consecutive and there are no gaps.
• Take the car for a test drive for at least 10 -15 minutes along a variety of roads.
• Check the VIN number on the paperwork against the VIN numbers on the car – these will be stamped in the engine bay, in the driver foot well/door, and in the boot. The more VINs you can locate and check, the more confident you can be of the car’s legitimacy.
• Always try to find the VIN in 3 places, particularly at either end of the vehicle. If you aren’t sure where to find them, your local franchised dealer can help you.
• Don’t pay less than 70% of the market value for a car, cars offered for less than they should be for ‘a quick sale’ often have something sinister to hide
• Finally, to be 100 per cent confident, get an HPI Check and an independent vehicle inspection from a reputable company such as RAC.
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