Vicars just divine for used car buyers

When asked what profession a used car buyer would most trust buying from when looking for a used car in the private market, one in four buyers said they would most trust a vicar, reveals the latest survey from vehicle information experts, HPI. Surprisingly, only 19 per cent voted a motor mechanic the most trustworthy person to buy a used car from, however, this was the second most trusted profession.

Doctors and medical professionals came in third at 15 per cent, with teachers scoring 12 per cent. Bottom of the table were builders (1 per cent), IT professionals (2 per cent) and surprisingly, members of the armed forces scored just 4 per cent, along with admin staff and secretaries. Interestingly lawyers, accountants and sales professionals all scored 6 per cent.

Whilst members of the armed forces gave buyers cause concern, 47 per cent of those surveyed actually said they would be more likely to buy a used car from a person wearing a uniform. When asked which uniforms symbolise trustworthiness, Police Officers top the table at 51 per cent, followed by fire fighters at 47 per cent and nurses at 39 per cent. Beauticians and supermarket workers came bottom of the pile at just 2 per cent, below fast food staff (3 per cent). Ironically, a motor mechanic scores just 6 per cent, based on their uniform.

Neil Hodson, Managing Director for HPI, comments, “It seems that used car buyers need to remember the old adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. Nearly half of the people we surveyed would be swayed by a used car seller in a uniform, which means they could also be duped by shiny paintwork and a rock bottom price. If that vehicle is stolen or on outstanding finance, an unsuspecting buyer could lose the vehicle and the money they paid for it, when it’s returned to the rightful owner.

Conducting a vehicle history check, such as www.hpicheck.com is the best way to find out if a seller is telling the truth and will reveal if a vehicle is recorded by the Police as stolen, has a tampered mileage reading, could be cloned, or has outstanding finance registered against it or an insurance write-off.

“It’s important to remember that unscrupulous sellers will do whatever it takes to con innocent used car buyers out of their cash, including impersonating people in authority. That’s why we advise car buyers to use their head, not their heart when buying a used car.”