Avoid a Cut ‘n’ Shut with HPI Check
Emmerdale’s business savvy Nikhil got a nasty surprise, when village car mechanic and garage owner Debbie Dingle revealed that his latest car purchase is a ‘cut ‘n’ shut’. Nikhil spent £3,000 on a smart run-around, only to find that it is worthless and a potential death trap. HPI offers used car buyers advice on how to avoid buying a cut ‘n’ shut, to protect their safety as well as their wallet.
The term cut ‘n’ shut is used for a car that is made up of two crashed or ‘written-off’ cars and it is the most hazardous of all kinds of vehicle fraud. The back end of one vehicle is welded to the front end of another to look like new, but the vehicle is likely to be dangerous to its occupants and other road users and completely worthless.
Says Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager at HPI, “Emmerdale’s Nikhil was taken in by the flawless bodywork, but in the words of Debbie Dingle he had been done and had bought a dud. She went on to point out the chassis under the car, revealing where two cars had been welded together. Not only is a cut ‘n’ shut worthless, but it is highly dangerous, especially if it is involved in a collision, making these vehicles a major threat to used car buyers. Frighteningly Debbie Dingle and Nikhil plot to sell on the vehicle, illustrating how these cars can realistically come back on the road, when they should be scrapped for everyone’s safety.”
Alongside all the database checks included as standard within the HPI Check, HPI will also cross-reference the registration number and the VIN, which will highlight any discrepancies that could indicate a suspect vehicle. It will also tell potential buyers whether a vehicle has been written-off, stolen or is on outstanding finance and includes a mileage check.
“Our advice to Nikhil would be to scrap the vehicle and learn from the lesson,” concludes Nicola Johnson of HPI. “Cut ‘n’ shuts are often dangerously deceptive, looking immaculate, while being structurally unsafe which can have fatal consequences. Whilst he found out the hard way, we always tell buyers to check with HPI before you buy, as it can spell the difference between a dream purchase and a nightmare on wheels.”
To protect yourself and others on the road, follow HPI’s Top Tips to avoid buying a cut ‘n’ shut:
Never view a car in the rain, poor light or at night time as it is much harder to spot any flaws
Look for mismatches on panels and doors, bonnet and tailgate and any other joins. Uneven panel gaps on either side of the car are a giveaway.
Cut ‘n’ shuts are often joined at the top of the windscreen. Also look underneath the car for any joins across the floor plan, and any excessive use of filler to cover holes in the bodywork or engine cavity.
Look for traces of spray paint on door handles and glass seals.
Inside the vehicle make sure you check for mismatched or badly fitted upholstery or any signs that the dashboard may have been tampered with.
Check the VIN number against the paperwork and conduct an HPI Check.
Check the MOT and past service history, pay particular attention to any unexplained gaps.