Beware the bike with a hidden history this summer

With summertime here, for many, the freedom, speed and excitement of the open road on a motorcycle becomes hard to resist. However, HPI is issuing a stark warning to those who prefer two wheels to four - motorbikes are just as vulnerable to criminal scams as other vehicles. The latest research from HPI reveals that 1 in 5 motorcycles checked has a hidden history.

In 2008, more than 139,000 new motorbikes and mopeds were registered in the UK and early indicators in 2009 show that motorcycles are weathering the economic storm better than cars as motorists looks for ways to cut their motoring costs - bike sales have declined by 6% compared to the 24% decline recorded in car showrooms. Despite this popularity, the number of history checks for motorcycles remains comparatively low compared to cars – especially on high-end and powerful models that are likely to have the most appeal for criminals.

HPI's research has revealed that outstanding finance is a growing problem for motorcycle buyers in the current economic climate. 1 in 10 motorbikes checked by HPI have outstanding finance on them. This is a serious concern as any bike purchased with outstanding finance still belongs to the finance house meaning the buyer could lose both the motorcycle and the hard-earned money they paid for it.

In addition, the high speed and power of modern machines, coupled with the relative inexperience of some motorcyclists mean that bikes are more commonly declared insurance write-offs than other vehicles. While some can be legitimately repaired by professionals and represent a possible bargain, others are only fit to be scrapped. Compared to 2007 figtures, latest statistics from HPI show a 5% increase during 2008 in the number of bikes written-off that have subsequently appeared back on the road, and bikes are more than twice as likely as cars to be written off. The HPI Check will tell buyers whether their potential purchase has been declared a write-off, plus it also provides the write-off category, allowing buyers to make an informed decision.

Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager, comments, “Summer is always a popular time to buy a motorbike. With the economy in turmoil and motoring costs on the rise, many people are looking for ways in which they can cut back on expenses, so for some, swapping a car for a motorcycle could be the perfect solution. Sadly there is a false impression amongst consumers that they are not exposed to the same risks associated with used cars when buying a bike. The fact is, bikes are at even greater risk of certain frauds than cars.”

As well as confirming outstanding finance or whether the motorcycle has been written off, the HPI Check will also inform buyers if a bike 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 correct by checking against the National Mileage Register.

Nicola Johnson, concludes, “Understandably, motorbikes and mopeds remain an appealing prospect for many. However budding bikers need to ensure they get a history check before making a purchase, to avoid making a costly and potentially dangerous mistake this summer.”

To conduct an HPI Check, visit hpicheck.com