Selling a car to someone overseas

[em177]

I've had my car up for sale for a few weeks with not massive amounts of interest.

I've been in communication with a Spanish gentleman who wants to buy the car.

He's sent me a few hundred pounds via PayPal to remove the car from sale. Then intends to pay the car in full via cash when he arrived to me.

I've had contact from another chap over here who claims he sold his car to the guy (he must flip them in Spain) with no issues.

I'm fairly confident it'll all be ok since he's coming to collect the car.

Anything I should be weary of?

[marcg]

Login to your PayPal account directly from PayPal.com and check you actually have some money. Easy enough to send a fake notification email.

Also, be clear you will only accept cash or cleared payment. Again, check your account directly.

Is it an unusual car? Seems a lot of effort for a Spaniard otherwise. If it's not unusual, I'd leave it. No such thing as a free lunch etc etc

[wolf1]

Simple really. Take cleared funds only. As for the paperwork he will need the complete logbook to be able to register it abroad. You just write a letter to the DVLA informing them you have sold the car to him (get his name and address obviously) and the vehicle is being exported.

[Sarnie]

• Alarm Bells Ringing*

[shelf1985]

I sold a car to a chap in spain, he drove it back , he wanted the full log book which was fine and theres a blue export section you both fill out keep that and send off. Easy.

Just document everything with times as they care not for speeding tickets (or dart toll charges in my case) when driving to the port.

[Trabi601]

Sarnie said:

*Alarm Bells Ringing*

Depends on the car.

If it's the Evo Tommi Makinen edition, then it's quite collectible and with sterling on the floor vs. the euro, it's not a surprise an EU buyer would be interested.

[em177]

Trabi601 said:

Sarnie said:

*Alarm Bells Ringing*

Depends on the car.

If it's the Evo Tommi Makinen edition, then it's quite collectible and with sterling on the floor vs. the euro, it's not a surprise an EU buyer would be interested.

Yes, the chap apparently sells Evo's over in Spain as a hobby on the side. I've had contact from another ex owner in the UK who said he sold his with no issues.

[em177]

shelf1985 said:

I sold a car to a chap in spain, he drove it back , he wanted the full log book which was fine and theres a blue export section you both fill out keep that and send off. Easy.

Just document everything with times as they care not for speeding tickets (or dart toll charges in my case) when driving to the port.

Can I not sort that immediately these days by taking the number off the V5 before I give it to him and go online?

https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle

And I'm assuming the safest way to deal with funds is go with him to do that transaction at my local bank, then release car/V5 once everything is in my account?

Edited by em177 on Monday 23 January 08:39

[superlightr]

em177 said:

Can I not sort that immediately these days by taking the number off the V5 before I give it to him and go online?

https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle

And I'm assuming the safest way to deal with funds is go with him to do that transaction at my local bank, then release car/V5 once everything is in my account?

Edited by em177 on Monday 23 January 08:39

thought you said he was paying cash?

[em177]

superlightr said:

em177 said:

Can I not sort that immediately these days by taking the number off the V5 before I give it to him and go online?

https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle

And I'm assuming the safest way to deal with funds is go with him to do that transaction at my local bank, then release car/V5 once everything is in my account?

Edited by em177 on Monday 23 January 08:39

thought you said he was paying cash?

Yes, what I means is I was planning on receiving cash and depositing it in the bank with him there with me. Once the cash is in my account I will hand over my car. I don't want 5 figures of dodgy notes?

[Squirrelofwoe]

em177 said:

Yes, what I means is I was planning on receiving cash and depositing it in the bank with him there with me. Once the cash is in my account I will hand over my car. I don't want 5 figures of dodgy notes?

I did the same when I sold my DC2 Integra to a guy from Holland. He drove over here with a family member, sorted out the paperwork, we drove to a branch of my bank, the cashier counted the money and confirmed it was in my account, we drove back to mine and I handed the keys over.

Before he left I also informed the DVLA that the car was being taken out of the country later that day and that I was no longer the owner of the car (the DVLA themselves had suggested I do this when I had inquired the day before).

It was actually one of the most straight-forward car transactions I've taken part in. The buyer paid the full asking price with no attempt to haggle, it was simply the case that my modified example was the exact spec he was after (a 97 JDM car modified to 98spec with quite a few other upgrades), and there was apparently at that time a significant tax or insurance (can't remember which) advantage to him buying a UK car than from elsewhere in Europe.

[em177]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Some useful stuff

Appreciate the advice guys, will keep this thread updated as to how it goes.

[57 Chevy]

Squirrelofwoe said:

stuff

Similar experience to me when I sold my Dodge Charger, it went to Germany. I'm still in touch with the guy who owns it nearly 10 years later.

He texted me about two hours after he drove off and my heart sank when I saw his name on the text but it was just to tell me how happy he was with the car.

[Iand1979]

Hi fellas, my first post on Pistonheads so here goes...I'm selling my E46 M3 and have had interest from someone in Spain offering a deposit via PayPal then cash on collection, very similar to the above posts. He said I would need to arrange 3 day insurance for them to drive it back to Europe via the tunnel. Surely they would need to sort insurance themselves and not me right?

[Skyedriver]

Iand1979 said:

Hi fellas, my first post on Pistonheads so here goes...I'm selling my E46 M3 and have had interest from someone in Spain offering a deposit via PayPal then cash on collection, very similar to the above posts. He said I would need to arrange 3 day insurance for them to drive it back to Europe via the tunnel. Surely they would need to sort insurance themselves and not me right?

Correct

[Simpo Two]

And we never did get the update from the OP on how it went...



Who here would buy a car from abroad without even bothering to see it first? It smells more than a year-old bucket of fish.

[Jordan-mpqj3]

I'm selling my MG TF to a Frenchman that wants to take it straight to France.

Car is currently SORN with no MOT.

Guy claims he can drive it straight to France no problems at all because our MOT and tax laws aren't the same as his. Providing he drives it directly to the port.

If I do the transaction correctly, take cash, advise DVLA straight away that I've sold it and complete the export section of the V5, I'm not liable for any law breaking, right? I have advised any buyer that it should be taken away on a trailer!

[Big Al.]

Jordan-mpqj3 said:

Guy claims he can drive it straight to France no problems at all because our MOT and tax laws aren't the same as his. Providing he drives it directly to the port.

He can't drive it in THIS country without relevant MOT and Insurance AFAIA.

[dingg]

Once you have sold it on its up to the new owner to take on any liability just get a time on the bill of sale and signed by both parties and Robert's your dads brother....

[WillB]

Yes, as you say, it's up to him to organise insurance etc.

I've sold a number of MG TFs to French clients, mainly dealers, who then re-sell them in France.

The main problem he'll have is getting there without any mechanical issues! The dealers I use to sell to recon they would break down on at least 50% of their trips back, usual MG issues, head gaskets, alternators etc etc. They seem to be a brave bunch....

They will need the full V5 to register the car in France. Do not complete the export part, that is for your own personal export only.
It's a common mistake people make.

You just write to the DVLA, saying you have exported the car.

Issue a time and dated collection receipt and take a pic/scan of the buyers ID

Edited by WillB on Thursday 20th June 22:56