HPI is to join the battle against clocking with the launch of a new vehicle mileage database in conjunction with the Independent Mileage Verification Association.

The National Mileage Register is a two-stage service involving an initial check against a database and, if requested, a full investigation service with a combination of letters plus recorded and logged phone calls to previous owners.

Due to go on-line towards the end of the year, HPI's new venture is the third such mileage database currently being developed for the UK. Vehicle Mileage Check and Experian (previously CCN Group) also have databases - both of which are endorsed by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, but only the former is up and running at the moment. Vehicle Mileage Check currently has some 700,000 vehicles on its books with information drawn from 80% of the UK's top rental companies and 70% of major leasing companies.