After an enjoyable search, I have agreed a buy a nice V8V privately from a fellow PH'er.

Can anyone advise on the logistics for the transaction to provide as much comfort as possible for both buyer and seller?

Brown paper bag.

Used notes only.

Meet up in a public place.

Authentication phrase will be something like..."is u Slarti? Do you park in 2 bays?"

Job's a good 'un

How about like this?

I think I'd prefer a simple Internet transfer. I'd look silly in one of those suits.

PS - instant transfers (fast pay) are only up to £10k I believe, you'll need to do a CHAPS if it's more than that. Still only takes @2-4 hours and costs @ £20 I think, but I also believe, only on school days.

Not necessarily with this transaction but you should confirm title (the seller owns it) and that there is no finance or leans against the car. Otherwise you could pay for it, the seller pockets the money and the finance company comes and takes the car because of non-payment and the car is their's!

If there is money owing against it you need to transfered it to the party who is owed it and get them to confirm everything is cleared and then pay the rest (if any) to the seller.

Also don't forget some type of bill of sale / receipt transferring title to you.

Sorry to disagree, but having been a victim of fraud I can tell you categorically that bank transfers off you no safety at all. You might as well just hand over cash for all the protection it offers. If the transaction is fraudulent, of course.

This is the problem of buying a car privately and the reason why most people choose to go through a dealer - fear of being defrauded.

I think that, as a buyer, you need to see the car at the address where it is registered, check the seller's ID and get a copy of it. This in addition to all the other HPI checks, etc.

As for the actual payment, I agree that bank transfers are the most convenient - once you are satisfied that the car is genuine. But don't think that there is any extra protection to be had with bank transfers.

The way I have done it in recent years when selling a car is to accompany the seller to his bank where he draws a bank draft in your presence......the only disadvantage of that method is you have to wait a few days for the draft to clear.......a bank draft (provided its genuine...hence accompanying the seller to the bank) is the same as cash unless you think the bank might go bust it’s not rocket science. I might be a bit suspicious if he takes you to "The Bank of Sudan" or “The Bank of Fraudsters"

With regards to warranty.......if its transferable then its transferable......makes sure all service requirements have been fulfilled otherwise the warranty will be invalid

Just sold a V8V and I showed the buyer the clause in the extended Aston warranty where it said the warranty could be transferred to anyone. So the advice should be to read the small print to be sure.

With my V8V I had tags and I gave them to the buyer. My new V12V (second hand) has none as none were ever issued and now days I think most prefer to have the tracker synced with the mobile phone, which works a treat with my iPhone. So with older cars I think there should be tags but with newer; less likely.