"selling for a friend" reason to steer clear?

[e8_pack]

Everytime I see this disclaimer on an advert. I always stop looking. Can't help thinking the "friend" is just an excuse to show ignorance at some serious problem with the car. Am I missing out by taking this tact?!

[Hoofy]

Look at the V5 doc. If it says the name of the person you're speaking to...

[ging84]

your a missing out on the chance to be pissed about or screwed over by 2 people instead of just one

[CrgT16]

I would keep clear. Also the V5 means nothing. It does not state the owner, what you want to see is a bill of sale.

[paolow]

Sometimes they genuinely are. Sometimes its all a ruse.
I have sold cars to a person 'via a friend' and I have bought 'via a friend' also. Neither did me any harm but its an indicator to be utterly meticulous in what you are getting.
Ive sold cars for family members many times as they 'just don't get it' when selling <£1000 cars when considering how to pitch it or often what its really worth and the flip side is obviously true also for the buyer in these instances.
However - go in with eyes wide open if you go down this route - like I say - treat it as a warning flag and don't be afraid to ask blunt questions about the whys and wherefores...

[V8forweekends]

I'm with you OP - instant fail. If your "friend" can't be arsed to sell it, I can't be arsed to buy it.

I did break the rule recently to obtain some rare parts without incident though - but wouldn't do it for a whole car.

[Jasandjules]

To me yes, I would steer clear. Maybe I will miss out on a good car, but that is a risk I am willing to take.

[krisdelta]

It's a funny one - because when it's private - you have little or no come-back anyhow, so theoretically it carries no more risk, but it does make it look a bit dodgy!

[UK345]

I wouldn't take it any further. Not worth the potential agro etc later down the line. It could be a car with outstanding finance or be stolen .

[TheEnd]

Yep, it's one of those clauses so someone can avoid answering a lot of questions and plead ignorance.

Similar to the grandfather's Rolex and lost box/papers,

[Jasandjules]

TheEnd said:

Yep, it's one of those clauses so someone can avoid answering a lot of questions and plead ignorance.

This is exactly it to my mind. I assume (wrongly perhaps) that there will be issues which they don't want to say or mislead to avoid a misrepresentation claim, whereas the "I've no idea" response..............

[Martin4x4]

Given the responses, which I agree with, it seem the phrase is acting to filter out the more astute and so that scam artists only need to spend their time with the gullible.

[405dogvan]

CrgT16 said:

I would keep clear. Also the V5 means nothing. It does not state the owner, what you want to see is a bill of sale.

Whilst the bit about the V5 not proving ownership is true - 99.9% of cars for-sale will not have a bill-of-sale with them from their last change of owner - unless it was VERY recent perhaps and that's an alarm-bell in itself.

Buying Privately should only ever be done from the person on the V5 at the address on the V5 - regardless of it's legal status, it's something you want to match up because there's no good reason for it NOT to.

[9mm]

Treat every case on its merits. I've sold for friends and relations because they are neither car or internet savvy. I can back up the story with bills and paperwork and putting them in touch with the owner for verification. Doesn't ever seem to have bothered the buyers that have come to view the car. You only need one so not about to lose any sleep about who might not have viewed because of their misgivings. Same with buying, I would never write the car off just on the words in the ad. Well, apart from poa.

[Ruffy94]

Slightly different I guess. But I bought my mx5 from a small dealer who was selling it for a friend and it's been faultless. Normally pretty obvious is somethings's up (other questionable details in ad/ dodgy area/ how the seller seems)

[e8_pack]

Ruffy94 said:

Slightly different I guess. But I bought my mx5 from a small dealer who was selling it for a friend and it's been faultless. Normally pretty obvious is somethings's up (other questionable details in ad/ dodgy area/ how the seller seems)

Or accompanied with "sold as seen" even though it is anyway. The reindictment of that statement infers the likelihood of it coming up. Maybe.

[PompeyPaul]

[quote=e8_pack]Can't help thinking the "friend" is just an excuse to show ignorance at some serious problem with the car. quote]

I agree with this, rightly or wrongly.

Having said then some years ago I had a car for sale and went on hoiday for 2 weeks, so handed over the sale to a trusted friend. I knew the car was A1 condition so nothing of concern and it was an easy sale that happened whilst I was away, but it wouldn't have suprised me if people called him and were put off.

[The Moose]

I always sell my grand parents' cars on their behalf.

Before I sell the cars, I run them around for a couple of days. If I don't know the answer to a question, I don't just ignore it - I'll jot it down, find out and get back to the potential buyer. When they come to see the car, I make sure they are around for any particular questions.

Never had any issue.

[DJP]

I'd steer clear.

The last time I looked at such a sale (in my naive youth) the seller was clearly a back street dealer selling what turned out to be a stty heap.

I suspect that many of these "Selling for a friend" types are.

[kev b]

I suspect a good proportion of "selling for a friend" cars are part time traders offering cars they have bought at auction or taken in P/X.

They want a quick sale without the aggro of sending off the V5 and having to explain to buyers why they have only owned the car for a fortnight.