Cap HPI has responded to dealer demand for accurate specification data for part exchange processes with its Spec Check product.

Demand for its Spec Check product grow by 46% between February 2016 and February 2018, a programme that enables access to the comprehensive factory-fit database, identifying vehicle options to help accurate pricing.  

Cap HPI’s managing director, Chris Wright (pictured), said: “A booming used car market combined with an ever growing list of expensive options have created record demand from dealers for our Spec Check data. 

“Accurate specification data can help dealers avoid overlooking valuable options and ensure the vehicle is retailed with accurate information, which is becoming ever more important in our litigious society.” 

The data allows dealers to receive the manufacturer’s standard options, along with the vehicle’s price new and options price new explicitly identified. 

Spec Check provides the total price for a particular vehicle when it was new and a ‘star rating’ from one to five, where one star means a standard vehicle, and five stars show it has a significant quantity of cost options fitted.  

“Factory fitted Bluetooth may be cheap to add when a car is ordered but can make the difference between a customer buying the Focus on a dealer’s pitch, or the one at another site down the road,” said Wright.

“Identifying the options fitted to a car, however, isn’t always easy. For example, active safety systems and driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, self-parking and lane departure warning systems are all expensive options, but remain extremely difficult for the untrained eye to spot.”