eBay XRV caution

[matt]

eBay 2001 XRV - item 4647731120

I have done an HPI check on this and it comes up as an insurance write-off.

I have contacted the current owner who is not too happy about this, so he could be the victim. It could also be a data error, as it has a private number plate. Although the previous number plate is recorded this could either mean the DVLA database has got confused or someone was trying to hide an insurance write off.

eBay 2001 XRV - item 4647731120

[robelst]

I know "insurance write-off" is not an appealing qualification for a bike to be sold on eBay but if you'd get the chance to have a close inspection before bidding you could still get a fine motorcycle if the price is right.
My own '94 AT was written off after a collision with a reversing lorry, although this was mainly because of all the plastics being broken and an overly extensive damage-quote from Fowlers of Bristol that included for example (expensive) dasboard items that weren't even touched during this (low-speed) accident.
I got 2 grand from the insurance, paid 200 to get it back and paid 600 (and a lot of work) on parts (all OE, either new from David Silver's own import or from eBay) and it came out better than before the accident. Ever since this happened I 've been always on the look-out for reversing lorries I can throw my bike behind

[matt]

UPDATE

The seller says that the number plate was from his father's trashed Audi 80 that was written off. He was quite p*ssed off with DVLA and he says he has got them to investigate ASAP. So, maybe OK, but HPI guarantee would not be valid would it??? Tricky one.

From a sellers point of view, it is worth doing an HPI check yourself if you have not had one done, for peace of mind.

[robelst]

I wonder if the opposite can happen as well: obscuring a bike's history by getting a private plate for it. Worrying

[DaveS]

Why would you transfer a number plate from a trashed Audio 80 across to an AT? Is what he's saying has happened?

[robelst]

Why would you transfer a number plate from a trashed Audio 80 across to an AT?

Perhaps Audi 80s are easy to nick
(sorry, couldn't resist )