MOTOR industry information service Equifax is promising compensation for any financial losses incurred by motor dealers and finance houses if it fails to identify a car as a grey import. Equifax has enhanced its HPI Goldcheck and Guarantee to include the new peace-of-mind feature.

Nicki Websper, Equifax European marketing director, said: 'The problem is it is not always possible to get all the information necessary about an imported vehicle, such as whether it has outstanding finance or has been written-off. In the case of a grey import which is not shown as an import on the V5, the origin and specification of the vehicle may not be revealed, resulting in potential financial loss because of parts, servicing or warranty difficulties.'