Easy riders, easy targets

Figures from Car Crime UK programme on ITV show that over 25,000 motorbikes were stolen in the UK last year with Greater Manchester, Liverpool and London as the theft hotspots. Following this, HPI warns used bike buyers to remember that motorcycles are just as vulnerable to criminal scams as other vehicles. HPI’s own research reveals that 1 in 5 motorcycles checked has a hidden history.

“Used motorbike buyers need to remember that, despite improvements in security, bikes are an easier target for criminals. They are small and light, making them ideal for pushing down the street or loading into the back of a van,” explains Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager of HPI. “In addition, the VIN/chassis and engine numbers are readily accessible, which means they can be easily tampered with.

“It is worrying to see that there remains a false impression amongst consumers that buying a bike is less risky than a car. Bike sales have only declined by 6% compared to the 24% decline in car sales leaving criminals with a decent market to target. However, our experience indicates that motorcycle buyers are less likely to conduct a history check, compared to car buyers. This is especially true for high-end and powerful models, which are the most likely to appeal to criminals. The fact is bikes are at even greater risk of certain frauds than cars.”

1 in 10 motorbikes checked by HPI still has outstanding finance on them, which leaves innocent buyers at risk. Any bike purchased with outstanding finance still belongs to the finance house, meaning the buyer could lose both the motorcycle and the money they paid for it.

Bike cloning is also a major concern because the VIN/chassis number is not concealed under bodywork, giving criminals easy access to the information they need. Cloning is the vehicle equivalent of identity fraud – criminals steal a motorcycle and give it a new identity copied from a similar vehicle already on the road. The criminal will disguise the unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the stolen bike, as well as using a stolen V5/logbook to try to legitimise its identity.

Nicola Johnson concludes, “The HPI Check offers consumers vital protection against the threat of bike scams. We are offering bikers top tips on buying a used motorbike, and advise them to conduct an HPI Check before making a purchase, to avoid making a costly and potentially dangerous mistake.”

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.

HPI’S USED MOTORCYCLE BUYING TIPS

Know the market value of the motorcycle you want. No genuine owner wants to make a loss, so if it’s a real bargain, ask yourself why.

Check the VIN/chassis numbers and engine numbers. Make sure they haven’t been tampered with and match the V5/logbook.

An HPI Check will verify if the registration number and VIN correspond – if they don’t, walk away

Compare the condition of the bike against the mileage it has done – is it realistic?

Ensure the bike has a valid MOT certificate

Meet private buyers at their home address and check that they are the registered keeper as recorded on the V5/logbook. Never meet a seller in a lay-by or car park.

Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Get a vehicle history check to be sure