S3 Advice on HPI Check

[S3 CYP]

Hi All,

Just a quick question for all you knowlegable members on here any help would be great as I have been looking to join this gang for ages.

I am going to view a 2002 S3 tomorrow, I have done an initial check on the registration on the official HPI Check website and it is returning the car back as an Audi A3 1.8.

I have done other full checks on a few cars I was debating on purchasing and they all returned back as Audi S3 Quattro (they were all 1999 and 2000 and one 2001 model).

Is there something a miss here or am I worrying about nothing until I have the vin number to do a complete check?

Also am I correct in saying that a 2002 model would have the BAM engine and were would I find this displayed on the car I am viewing tomorrow to be totally sure its an S3.

Thanks guys I hope you can be of assistance.

Chris

 

[Dani_B19]

The car should have the Bam printed on a small metal plate, i think its on the bottom left of the engine block, i think but someone will confirm.
With regards to the car coming up as an a3 i had that trouble with the insurance company, they didnt have aclue what a S3 was, had aright nightmare with them but got it soughted in the end

 

[S3 CYP]

Thanks Dani_B19

Is the engine plate visible from the top of the engine bay.

Chris

 

[s3 Hoggy]

With regards to the car coming up as an a3 i had that trouble with the insurance company, they didnt have aclue what a S3 was, had aright nightmare with them but got it soughted in the end

Had the same problem dani, luckily after about half hour on the phone to a nice woman, a bloke at the insurance company new what it was and got it sorted! Women!

 

[Dani_B19]

Haha yeah i agree. Yeah think so, you may just need to remove the plastic engine cover but thats it.

 

[Dani_B19]

Just use the thanks button (Shamless i know haha)

 

[mrfuzzyfelts]

Another good way to test is, pretend to list it on ebay!

It fills in loads of the info for ya.

the title will hopefully fill in Audi S3 etc etc

 

[Dani_B19]

Ok so let the dog out and went and checked, when you look at the engine straight on youll see the oil cap now look to the left and down off that just on the edge of the engine thers alittle plate that will have the numbers dotted on it.
Pretty sure the car will be a BAM aswell with it being on a 02 plate

 

[S3 CYP]

Thanks, noted

 

[S3-Andy]

on a check mine comes up Audi A3 S3 1.8 Quattro

 

[hutchybee]

on a check mine comes up Audi A3 S3 1.8 Quattro

Mine too....

 

[Dani_B19]

Well the S3 is an A3 in away just the upgraded model

 

[S3 CYP]

Strange,

Its just this reg reg brings up just Audi A3 1.8 no mention of S3, turbo or quattro. In fact its the same onn a few websites that offer hpi checks.

Chris

 

[Dani_B19]

In that case id be quite cautious until you get the chasis number as they could have just made it out to look like and s3 and try to be making afew quid

 

[alijames]

Make sure you check the V5 when you go to see the car, as if it is an S3 it WILL say S3 Quattro on there. Also make sure the engine and chassis number tally with the V5.

The Engine could be an AMK as mine is a 2002 and is an AMK. It's also printed on a sticker in the spare wheel well.

The other possibility is that the plate has been switched from an A3 1.8 onto a stolen or repaired write off...

You could try the RAC vehicle check, as it's only £10 and allows you to verify the chassis & engine number as well.

Personally I would be VERY wary of this one.

Good Luck!!

Cheers,

 

[S3 CYP]

Cheer's chaps,

I thought as much, just wanted to be double sure! I will make the necessary checks with this one and see what it springs up.

CHris

 

[S3 CYP]

Update.

Spoken with Audi this morning and they have no service history or knowledge of the S3 I am viewing today on their database. The friendly chap made a comment that it is maybe an import(germant, holland or Ireland) or it may have had a private number plate sometime in its life and is never being re-registered with them.

So I went onto the DVLA website and punched in the reg there and it came back as first registered in july 2002 and tax expires in july this month, yr of manufacture is 2002, 1781cc, petrol, RED (which it is) but the Vehicle Type Approval is M1.

The M1 got me thinking as I read somewhere this is relating to imported vehicles, I called the DVLA (20 mins on hold) and they confirmed that an application was received so show that vehicle confims to EU regulations in meeting the standards of an imported vehicle and they are also showing it as an Audi A3 1.8 also on their database, however she did make the comment that the application may have been filled in incorrectly.

So, Audi Customer Services told me to call them back with the VIN number to be totally 100% sure on its true identity.

Chris

 

[Nilz]

Dude, is it worth the hassle, give it a miss and go for another REAL S3 that you know is legit and wont hopefully give you any hassle in the future, there are loads of decent ones available at good prices at the mo...

 

[Leon]

A lot of imports came with sunroof so look out for this. You may be able to negotiate a discount based on the HPI report. Bear in mind it 'may' affect your insurance premium though.

 

[S3 CYP]

Leon,

thanks for the above I will check for a sunroof. If its registered as a A3 1.8 (reason not determined why yet) surly the insurance will be slightly less.

nilz18t

I am curious now so I will go and have a look and see what the deal is as its only round the corner and then post my findings on here to warn any other prospective buyers of this one i am seeing later.

Chris

 

[1animal1]

there are quite a few ways to determin if it is real, obviously making sure the stcker in the spare wheel well corresponds to the VIN number on the window.... you cant simply make an A3 into an S3.... it just cannot be done as virtually every panel, dash and seats are totally different.... its either legit or cut n shut/stolen

 

[S3-Andy]

i know of people that have imported cars and not had the full info on the v5 for example i have heard of some subaru WRX's and STI only being recoreded as a subaru impreza 2.0, like mentioned above it depends on how well the documents were filled out, i dont know if people do this on purpose for cheaper premiums or if they had been genuine mistakes, i dont know where you would stand in the event of a claim??

 

[Ian W]

I would leave it, if you think how much trouble your having now, trying to sell it will be a pain in the ***

 

[Leon]

If its registered as a A3 1.8 (reason not determined why yet) surly the insurance will be slightly less. Chris

Well you'd have to tell them it was an S3 model obviously otherwise your insurance would be invalid. The issue is if they view it as a 'grey' import, as this would likely mean a hike in the premium. This is one of the reasons imports are usually cheaper.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[S3 CYP]

Update Part 2

Viewed the car last night and it turns out that it was imported from Ireland. I checked with Audi with the VIN number and it is an Audi S3 according to their records, but have no service history - but the guys service book was stamped by Audi dealers?

Anyway after closer inspection it turns out that the car has has a new bumper and both wings (not sure on the lights) as the paint job was, lets say crap. I walked away from aonther one again.

Thanks for the help and advise guys, got another 4 to see this weekend (fingers crossed).

 

[Westy]

If in doubt walk away. There are plenty of decent ones out there. good luck