Buying from someone selling for a friend

[Sukhy558]

The car's only four years old and it's matching up with the MOT, no advisories, all it's saying is the vehicle is below average miles (24k).

[Sukhy558]

swisstoni said:

Have you googled this Dr to see if anything comes up, preferably Singapore related?

I haven't found out their name as of yet, will probably try and ask him tomorrow.

[Monkeylegend]

Sukhy558 said:

The car's only four years old and it's matching up with the MOT, no advisories, all it's saying is the vehicle is below average miles (24k).

Sounds good.

[SpeckledJim]

'Selling for a friend' is more likely to be an under-the-radar trader who needs a reason why the V5 isn't in his name.

And the 'friend' being in Singapore is, well, convenient.

For £9k, buying from a person who isn't on the V5, isn't at the address on the V5, and presumably (?) can't show you the bill of sale to the current owner or put you in touch with them, I would be very careful indeed.

[bomma220]

SpeckledJim said:

'Selling for a friend' is more likely to be an under-the-radar trader who needs a reason why the V5 isn't in his name.

And the 'friend' being in Singapore is, well, convenient.

For £9k, buying from a person who isn't on the V5, isn't at the address on the V5, and presumably (?) can't show you the bill of sale to the current owner or put you in touch with them, I would be very careful indeed.

Yes I agree entirely. I once bought a 'selling for a friend' which was a 2.8 Capri owned by an RAF chap serving in Cyprus, car was in the UK & after a few phone calls etc the deal was all nice & tidy.

However, a 'Doctor working in Singapore' who can't be verified would certainly ring alarm bells...

[jcelee]

You certainly need to do a lot of digging to verify the providence of the car, but wealthy people, sometimes working in far flung locations can own (and need to sell) some lovely, well maintained cars.

Even if everything checks out, the seller already knows they are in an awkward position (I know, I've done this myself for someone based in Norway), the owner is likely to most concerned with getting a painless sale than maximising the price (I can also confirm this in my case) and you can potentially get a fantastic car for a very good price. Personally, I'd not rule it out.

[Sukhy558]

bomma220 said:

SpeckledJim said:

'Selling for a friend' is more likely to be an under-the-radar trader who needs a reason why the V5 isn't in his name.

And the 'friend' being in Singapore is, well, convenient.

For £9k, buying from a person who isn't on the V5, isn't at the address on the V5, and presumably (?) can't show you the bill of sale to the current owner or put you in touch with them, I would be very careful indeed.

Yes I agree entirely. I once bought a 'selling for a friend' which was a 2.8 Capri owned by an RAF chap serving in Cyprus, car was in the UK & after a few phone calls etc the deal was all nice & tidy.

However, a 'Doctor working in Singapore' who can't be verified would certainly ring alarm bells...

The man selling it claims he isn't very technical with cars, he's sent me a few videos of the car on the outside through iMessage and the photos he's taken aren't exactly professional. Don't know if this could be a cover-up or something, I'm not too bothered to be honest as long as the car is genuine and sound. The seller is seemingly more than happy to put me in contact with the real owner, he's offered to facetime her, also offered to give her mobile number and of-course the address is on the V5. I'll definitely make sure I get the Dr's name so I can enquire further though.

[Sukhy558]

Quick update:

Got in contact with the seller and he's saying that she signed the V5C before she left. He's gave me her first initial and surname, he said it's same as on the V5C and he has a copy of her driving license (which he's not giving me just yet for obvious reasons). I can't find anything on the interwebs just yet, maybe a bit more digging might find something. He said he can either put the car in his name and then sell it on to me at the same time if I'm not comfortable buying from someone who's not there or I can sign the V5C and we go to the post office together.

[bomma220]

Sukhy I really would be careful with this one, I'm wondering why somebody would entrust the sale of their car to

someone who's 'not very technical' with cars ? Surely a better option would be to put it in the hands of a reputable

dealer who would sell it on the buyer's behalf? Enough of them around...

Do be wary mate

Edited by bomma220 on Saturday 13th February 21:08

Edited by bomma220 on Saturday 13th February 21:09

[Sukhy558]

bomma220 said:

Sukhy I really would be careful with this one, I'm wondering why somebody would entrust the sale of their car to

someone who's 'not very technical' with cars ? Surely a better option would be to put it in the hands of a reputable

dealer who would sell it on the buyer's behalf? Enough of them around...

Do be wary mate

Yeah, I know what you're saying bomma. I've said to him that I'd really only be interested if I get to personally talk to the woman in Singapore so that she can confirm that she's gave him permission to sell her vehicle. If not, then I guess, if I put him as a owner and buy it off him then it gives me a bit more security so that I can say that I bought it off him and not someone who wasn't even there. He keeps telling me that it would show up on Police and HPI checks if he had cloned or stolen the car and he wouldn't have all the paperwork along with two keys for over 8 months now. I love the motor, it's a shame there's this bummer of a situation in-between. It's not even really cheap either, it's about £1000 cheaper than the rest but has all the extras that I would want in a car.

[BigBen]

I sold my sister's S-max when they moved overseas. I was worried that it looked dodgy but it was not a problem at all and quickly found a buyer.

Speak to the vendor and if they seem legit, which based on the details in the thread so far they seem to, then go for it especially if HPI etc come good

Ben

[Sukhy558]

He seems convincing so far. Sent me a text just there to make sure that I do a full proper HPI check and not just any 'mickey mouse' one. Also said I'm more than welcome to get one of the AA/RAC etc firms to check over the car.

[bomma220]

Sukhy558 said:

bomma220 said:

Sukhy I really would be careful with this one, I'm wondering why somebody would entrust the sale of their car to

someone who's 'not very technical' with cars ? Surely a better option would be to put it in the hands of a reputable

dealer who would sell it on the buyer's behalf? Enough of them around...

Do be wary mate

Yeah, I know what you're saying bomma. I've said to him that I'd really only be interested if I get to personally talk to the woman in Singapore so that she can confirm that she's gave him permission to sell her vehicle. If not, then I guess, if I put him as a owner and buy it off him then it gives me a bit more security so that I can say that I bought it off him and not someone who wasn't even there. He keeps telling me that it would show up on Police and HPI checks if he had cloned or stolen the car and he wouldn't have all the paperwork along with two keys for over 8 months now. I love the motor, it's a shame there's this bummer of a situation in-between. It's not even really cheap either, it's about £1000 cheaper than the rest but has all the extras that I would want in a car.

Sukhy the vendor's comments 'show up on Police & HPI checks' & 'cloned or stolen' do not equate with someone who has little knowledge of cars or indeed the motor trade in general.
Why has the vendor had the keys for 8 months & not sold it yet if it's a genuinely good deal?
Sorry mate, I may sound cynical but I really would walk away...

[Sukhy558]

bomma220 said:

Sukhy558 said:

bomma220 said:

Sukhy I really would be careful with this one, I'm wondering why somebody would entrust the sale of their car to

someone who's 'not very technical' with cars ? Surely a better option would be to put it in the hands of a reputable

dealer who would sell it on the buyer's behalf? Enough of them around...

Do be wary mate

Yeah, I know what you're saying bomma. I've said to him that I'd really only be interested if I get to personally talk to the woman in Singapore so that she can confirm that she's gave him permission to sell her vehicle. If not, then I guess, if I put him as a owner and buy it off him then it gives me a bit more security so that I can say that I bought it off him and not someone who wasn't even there. He keeps telling me that it would show up on Police and HPI checks if he had cloned or stolen the car and he wouldn't have all the paperwork along with two keys for over 8 months now. I love the motor, it's a shame there's this bummer of a situation in-between. It's not even really cheap either, it's about £1000 cheaper than the rest but has all the extras that I would want in a car.

Sukhy the vendor's comments 'show up on Police & HPI checks' & 'cloned or stolen' do not equate with someone who has little knowledge of cars or indeed the motor trade in general.
Why has the vendor had the keys for 8 months & not sold it yet if it's a genuinely good deal?
Sorry mate, I may sound cynical but I really would walk away...

You do have a point Bomma, I'm not so sure now. Perhaps walking away is the best option, it's not a small amount of money either to be risking. Already been stung with my current car when I had to put in a new clutch and gearbox rebuild after buying a car for 10k within two months.

[Sukhy558]

Bomma you still think it's dodgy if he offers to put the car in his own name, then sell it on to me, with a signed receipt?

[ensignia]

PH is full of bitterly cynical, paranoid old men.

Literally any topic and you'll get a handful of the same people saying "It's a scam!!1!", with nothing to back it up other than their own small mindedness.

OP, if everything checks out, like it seems to in this case, and you like the car, then go ahead. Posting on here won't give you the reassurance you're looking for.

[bomma220]

Sukhy558 said:

Bomma you still think it's dodgy if he offers to put the car in his own name, then sell it on to me, with a signed receipt?

Yes I would still say it's dodgy. Nothing of the vendor's (or owner's) account of the whole issue holds any credibility at all.

Unless it's a one off, never to be repeated, classic / vintage , prototype etc etc walk away & find another

[Funkycoldribena]

ensignia said:

PH is full of bitterly cynical, paranoid old men.

Literally any topic and you'll get a handful of the same people saying "It's a scam!!1!", with nothing to back it up other than their own small mindedness.

OP, if everything checks out, like it seems to in this case, and you like the car, then go ahead. Posting on here won't give you the reassurance you're looking for.

And this is exactly why people get done over.
There's thirty odd million cars in the UK,why not find a straightforward sale.

[bomma220]

Funkycoldribena said:

And this is exactly why people get done over.
There's thirty odd million cars in the UK,why not find a straightforward sale.

Exactly. Well put mate.

[caelite]

BigBen said:

I sold my sister's S-max when they moved overseas. I was worried that it looked dodgy but it was not a problem at all and quickly found a buyer.

Speak to the vendor and if they seem legit, which based on the details in the thread so far they seem to, then go for it especially if HPI etc come good

Ben

Aye myself and my dad sold my uncles old Audi when he was taken into hospital. He pre signed the V5C and left it with us. Explained the situation to the buyer. The buyer took a picture of my dad and a picture of his driving license (this is a VERY good idea by the way) and the sale went without a hitch. There are a lot of scum out there but also a lot of people with honest intentions. Just take some precautions and go for it if its a good deal imo.