THE company behind the original HPI Check has called on regulators to crack down on a growing number of rogue vehicle history websites that it says are misleading motorists with poor-quality data, hidden subscription charges, and other questionable sales practices.

Solera cap hpi, which owns the HPI Check brand, has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) urging it to investigate operators that it believes are damaging consumer confidence in the vehicle provenance market.

The intervention comes amid wider concerns over so-called drip pricing, recurring subscription traps and misleading marketing, with consumers often believing they are buying a genuine HPI Check when they have instead purchased a report from an unrelated provider.

Chris Wright, regional vice president at Solera cap hpi, said: "Consumers rely on vehicle history checks to protect themselves when making one of the biggest purchases they'll ever make. Instead, too many are finding themselves caught by hidden subscription charges, unclear pricing and reports built on data that simply doesn't match the quality or depth buyers expect.

"We have alerted the CMA to what we believe are rogue operators in this market because consumers deserve transparency. If you're buying a vehicle history report, you should know exactly what data sits behind it, what you're paying for and whether the provider stands behind its information."

The HPI Check has become so widely recognised that many buyers now use the term generically, creating opportunities for copycat websites that mimic the branding while offering different products and business models.

Solera cap hpi argues the issue extends beyond subscription pricing to ethical data. It says buyers should also question where vehicle data originates, whether it includes comprehensive police, DVLA, insurance and finance records, and whether any guarantee backs the information provided.

The company says its own HPI Check draws on data covering more than 35 million live vehicles, works with all 45 British police forces and is backed by a £30,000 data guarantee. Every day it identifies around 975 insurance write-offs and detects 726 mileage discrepancies.

Alongside its call for enforcement, Solera cap hpi has published guidance designed to help motorists avoid being caught out.

It advises buyers to look beyond headline prices, confirm they are purchasing from the genuine HPI Check website, understand the source of the vehicle data and check whether the report includes a meaningful guarantee.

The CMA has made consumer protection in digital markets a priority, taking action against misleading online reviews and hidden pricing practices under its strengthened powers. Solera cap hpi believes the same scrutiny should now be applied to the vehicle provenance sector.

Wright added: "The vehicle history sector exists to reduce risk, not create more of it. Good provenance data protects consumers, dealers and lenders alike. Poor data and misleading sales practices erode confidence across the entire used car market. We believe it's time for stronger action to ensure buyers know exactly what they're getting before they part with their money."