From 1 January 1997 fuller details of all total loss vehicles will be supplied by insurers to independent database houses. Equifax-HPI and CCN Group offer pre-purchase vehicle history checks to potential car buyers and the motor trade.

This latest development will enhance the information which is available to the public and motor trade when a pre-purchase check is made. An enquirer will not only be able to find out whether a vehicle has been an insurance total loss in the past, but also the degree of damage sustained. In particular, a pre-purchase check will identify a severely damaged vehicle which should not get back on the road.

This more detailed information will only apply to vehicles which have become insurance total losses since 1 January 1997.

Contact details for the public and the motor trade are as follows:

- Equifax-HPI vehicle history check
- Tel No. +44(0)1722 422422 (public) and +44(0)1722-412888 (trade)
- CCN Group vehicle history check
- Tel No. +44(0)115-964 3033.

Notes

1. Enquiries to:

   ABI
   - Malcolm Tarling +44 020 7216 7410 (Home: +44 020 8297 9510)
   - Suzanne Moore +44 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 0378 794717)
   
   Equifax-HPI (Harrison Sadler Ltd)
   - Charis Whitcombe/
   - Alison Fordham +44 020 8977 9132
   
   CCN Group
   - Peter Brooker +44(0)115-934 4556
   

2. An ISDN line is available for radio broadcasts.