Selling a car to someone from Europe
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've had an offer from someone in France who is interested in buying my car. Based on his e-mails (asking detailed questions about various specialised aspects of the car and showing he knows a fair bit about them) I'm pretty confident he's not a scammer, and obviously I would not release the car until cash has been received and verified. It's not that uncommon for these cars to be bought by people in Europe as they are quite significantly cheaper over here than in Europe.
However, can anyone tell me what other pitfalls there might be? Does the default 'sold as seen' position that I have as a private seller alter if I sell to someone outside of the UK? Naturally I've informed him of all the (minor) issues I'm aware of with the car. What do I do with the V5 when the car is sold? Any other issues I should be aware of?
Many thanks!
I've had an offer from someone in France who is interested in buying my car. Based on his e-mails (asking detailed questions about various specialised aspects of the car and showing he knows a fair bit about them) I'm pretty confident he's not a scammer, and obviously I would not release the car until cash has been received and verified. It's not that uncommon for these cars to be bought by people in Europe as they are quite significantly cheaper over here than in Europe.
However, can anyone tell me what other pitfalls there might be? Does the default 'sold as seen' position that I have as a private seller alter if I sell to someone outside of the UK? Naturally I've informed him of all the (minor) issues I'm aware of with the car. What do I do with the V5 when the car is sold? Any other issues I should be aware of?
Many thanks!
You send the V5 off to DVLA stating that the vehicle has been exported, otherwise it is as per a local sale - caveat emptor. In reality, I would expect a foreign buyer to be fully expecting this as they know they will have a long way to travel to do anything about it.
I sold my Chim a few years ago to a nice chap from Holland, very smooth transaction.
I sold my Chim a few years ago to a nice chap from Holland, very smooth transaction.
Firstly, cash can be made by direct bank transfer from Monsieur l'Acheteur if you give him your bank BIC Code & IBAN number, before you had over your keys & V5 - or cash on collection - which you can have verified by and at your local bank - again, before you hand over your keys/V5.
Depending on the age of your car, the purchaser is likely to require an E.U Certificate of Conformity. If you don't have this, I'd suggest you contact your local dealer and ask them to help out.
Your V5: check it out.
IIRC, there is a box to 'tick' on your return slip to the DVLA (top part goes to the buyer) which states the car's been exported.
PLEASE CHECK THIS ON THE V5.
ASK THE BUYER:
Monsieur l'Acheteur is also likely to need a "Contrat de Vente" signed by you and him. In Luxembourg, where I live, this is done in 3 originals, 1 for you, 1 for him, 1 for his local French authorities to aid ownership transfer. To each original you attach a copy of your passport photo page and HIS I.D card/Passport page.
This "Contrat de Vente" is actually a good thing - it should state "Sold as seen", you both sign it and date it, then there's NO come back on you!
Hope all goes smoothly!
EDIT: miniman responded while I was still tap, tappety on the keyboard...
Depending on the age of your car, the purchaser is likely to require an E.U Certificate of Conformity. If you don't have this, I'd suggest you contact your local dealer and ask them to help out.
Your V5: check it out.
IIRC, there is a box to 'tick' on your return slip to the DVLA (top part goes to the buyer) which states the car's been exported.
PLEASE CHECK THIS ON THE V5.
ASK THE BUYER:
Monsieur l'Acheteur is also likely to need a "Contrat de Vente" signed by you and him. In Luxembourg, where I live, this is done in 3 originals, 1 for you, 1 for him, 1 for his local French authorities to aid ownership transfer. To each original you attach a copy of your passport photo page and HIS I.D card/Passport page.
This "Contrat de Vente" is actually a good thing - it should state "Sold as seen", you both sign it and date it, then there's NO come back on you!
Hope all goes smoothly!
EDIT: miniman responded while I was still tap, tappety on the keyboard...
Edited by 5potTurbo on Tuesday 1st June 09:29
Ozzie Osmond said:
When selling a car as a private individual the ONLY thing which matters is getting paid. Who you sell it to is neither here nor there.
Exactly.He may require extras such as signed bill of sale showing price for his local tax office. Remember to date and time the sale for your benefit.(just in case he gets flashed on the way out of the country...)
For export he keeps the main left hand page of the V5 and you send in the export notification slip to DVLA.
He will also need an EU declaration of conformity for that car. I assume he can arrange that with the manufacturer.
Ozzie Osmond said:
When selling a car as a private individual the ONLY thing which matters is getting paid. Who you sell it to is neither here nor there.
The DVLA fines, charges and endorsements departments will not think twice about dishing out all manner of pain onto you if all the right boxes and I's and T's aren't in line with their bureaucracy
I had a similar experience, and eventually sold my car to a chap from Germany. He wanted to pay by draft so I got him to send me a scan of it and his passport. I then called the bank in Germany and they confirmed its authenticity. I checked his home address on Google maps and there was an old Jag outside which all tallied with his story.
He insisted on taking the original V5. I copied it and sent it to the DVLA with a nice letter and a copy of his passport which all worked out ok.
He insisted on taking the original V5. I copied it and sent it to the DVLA with a nice letter and a copy of his passport which all worked out ok.
I sold my chim to a guy in France last year, transaction was pretty smooth - I picked him and his friend up from the airport, they inspected the car, but I'd obviously previously sent him stacks of pics and given over as much info as possible first.
When he was happy I drove him to the bank, he paid cash directly into my account that was counted and verified by the cashier, drove him back to my house, gave him the full V5 - DVLA instruct you to do so and then write to them to let them know you've sold the car to an overseas buyer.
He then took the keys, folder of receipts, V5 and drove my chim away.
I nearly cried.
When he was happy I drove him to the bank, he paid cash directly into my account that was counted and verified by the cashier, drove him back to my house, gave him the full V5 - DVLA instruct you to do so and then write to them to let them know you've sold the car to an overseas buyer.
He then took the keys, folder of receipts, V5 and drove my chim away.
I nearly cried.
ditto, bloke from NL bid on my car on fleabay so I checked with DVLA, they tell you to give him the full V5 and just write to them to tell them. They did suggest gettinga dated timed receipt signed by them and include a copy just in case he trips every camera between you and the port.
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