Buying a car with no V5/keys/reg plate/anything.

[OwenK]

I'm in the market at the moment for an absolute snotter of a (specific) car for peanuts to repair/rebuild as a long term project. I've come across a particularly sheddy half-built project at the moment on eBay that I might be interested in but the seller has absolutely nothing but the actual car itself!

He says he came into possession of it through a land purchase and knows very little about it. There are no documents, history, keys or even number plates on it. I know this is an absolute minefield and it could well be stolen which is why I'm wondering - is there any way I can HPI check it? I know that if I was to buy it and it turn out to be stolen it would be taken by the police and I'd have no recourse whatsoever which is why I'm (very!) hesitant. Is there any way it can be checked if I can direct him to the chassis plate and get him to give me the VIN? I normally wouldn't touch it with a barge pole but the chap has 100% feedback on eBay from almost 1000 transactions and the car has some expensive parts on it that could make it worth my while.

I know I can get new keys cut, and apply for the V5, what else would I need to do?

Thanks for any help that can be offered...

[Matt UK]

Even if it were free, I'd hesitate...

[OwenK]

I've read some stories of success on the web, saying that DVLA can check the car is not stolen from the VIN, I can then apply for the V5, then get new keys made from the VIN and I'm away. Anybody have any experience in the matter?

[OwenK]

Anyone this morning know anything on the subject?

[tr7v8]

HPI check it against the VIN! This will also give you the last registration as well.

[OwenK]

tr7v8 said:

HPI check it against the VIN! This will also give you the last registration as well.

But how do I go about this - all the sites I can find on the web will only check VIN against the reg. number - not allow you to do a check on the VIN alone?

[AndrewW-G]

Phone HPI and give them the VIN, DVLA will also give you the reg against a VIN if you write to them explaining why you need the information.

[markmullen]

HPI Check it against the VIN, then V62 to DVLA to get a V5