Buying a car privately but owner is away, is it dodgy?

[Jaynw1]

Hi to all

I am new here so have no clue where to post this, feel free to move to the correct place,

Sorry if this is a bit long.

OK, so I have found a car that I want, I contacted the guy about it, and we it managed to work out a deal we are both happy with,
Moving forward to talk about me travelling to see the car, he then says my brother in law will be meeting you as I am out of the country for an operation, baring in mind he did say in the ad, the reason for selling the car is he will be moving out of the country, my worry is, I have heard of scams where you buy the car, you have the it for a month they then report it stolen saying they was away just got back and realised it was gone, all paperwork was in the glove box ready to sell along with a spare key ect, I have done a hpi check all OK. So my question is, is there anyway I can safeguard myself from this kind of scam? He said I can transfer the money to the name on the logbook no problem.

I dont know why but I feel uneasy about not meeting and buying from the owner, he didn't need to tell me it wasn't him I would be meeting. So it could him being honest or on on the other hand a scammer giving to much information.

He has sent over WhatsApp photos of
copy of proof purchase
Arabic passport
Disabled blue badge
Front of logbook
Vin number
Number plate retention letter of number plate change from his private plate back to original for sale,

Is there anything more I should be doing, asking for or looking in to,
It's quite a lot of money so I would be gutted to get scammed
Am I looking in to it to much?
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you.

[Big Rig]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

[blue_haddock]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck its probably a duck!

Unless its an extremely rare car then simply give it a swerve.....

[Pit Pony]

Start by assuming it's a scam.

Whoever is handing over the keys and documents needs to prove who he is, and where he lives.

I would probably avoid the risk.

[andrewcliffe]

Either wait until he's back in the country, or find another car.

[Muzzer79]

Is it a rare car or specification?

If it's mainstream, just find another one - it's too much money to be messing around with if you're unsure.

[Sir Bagalot]

They're being upfront.

I would do the deal at the registered owners address.

Last year I sold my Mum's car. A dealer bought it and I did explain who I was and all he asked for was a letter from the owner that gave me permission to sell it. I typed that letter myself and got one of my kids to sign it.

[Stick Legs]

Run away.


As fast as your legs will carry you.

[Ian974]

I recently sold a pick up on behalf of a friend whos dad had passed away, my friend doesn't drive and didn't know where to start really.
When I had any viewers I was very up front about these details and who I was selling on behalf of, but gave him contact details of my friend and proof of address for both him and myself and said if required the sale could take place at the address on the v5. Encouraged him to do a history check etc for his own peace of mind as well.

Situations like this can arise and be genuine, but it really needs to be a judgement call as to whether its legitimate or not. I'd have been fully understanding if someone didn't want to go through with buying it due to those circumstances.

[chrisch77]

Too much hassle, just find another!

[wong]

Surely if you've contacted him by WhatsApp or email, then there is an electronic history (that can be produced as evidence) of the previous owner saying he is selling it? Fake WhatsApp or email?

[JackJarvis]

Lots of red flags there, I wouldn't go near it.

[sidewinder500]

Was reading through until the arabic passport, that had me....

Look for another car

[Jaynw1]

I could do a whats app video call? To see if it's the same guy on all the id's he's sent?
Also get the brother in law (he's the person I'm supposed to meet) to bring id like driving licence? Would that help the situation at all?.

[rallycross]

Tell us the car age model and mileage and the price being asked it and where it’s advertised…

Almost certainly a scam if you found the advert On a free site like market place there are so many at the moment all hoping for gullible people wanting a bargain.

[Jaynw1]

2021 Bmw 420i convertible fully loaded 32,500 miles, had it up for £29,550 I got him down to £27,250

[Jaynw1]

On autotrader

[Gericho]

If the V5C doesn't prove ownership, then knowing the ID of the seller makes no difference.

[Jaynw1]

Gericho said:

If the V5C doesn't prove ownership, then knowing the ID of the seller makes no difference.

So what safeguards you in these situations?

[richhead]

unless its a rare car then be very aware, if in doubt then walk