Buying a car with a private plate seller wants to keep
Discussion
After a little advise
I've agreed to by a car, subject to an inspection this morning.
The car currently has a private plate on it which the seller want to keep, whats the best way to deal with this?
I just spoke to the DVLA and they are quoting up to 8 weeks to complete a plate transfer and I can't really be without a car for 8 weeks,
I can understand some reluctance on the sellers part to let me buy the car and transfer the plate once I have the V5 back as the plate is of reasonable value, Although I guess this could be sorted out with some sort of written agreement.
Any the options available?
I've agreed to by a car, subject to an inspection this morning.
The car currently has a private plate on it which the seller want to keep, whats the best way to deal with this?
I just spoke to the DVLA and they are quoting up to 8 weeks to complete a plate transfer and I can't really be without a car for 8 weeks,
I can understand some reluctance on the sellers part to let me buy the car and transfer the plate once I have the V5 back as the plate is of reasonable value, Although I guess this could be sorted out with some sort of written agreement.
Any the options available?
If the guy is just putting it on retention, the it's pretty quick. He'll be advise to not sell the car until this is done.
In the real world seller releases the car with some paperwork covering the agreement. Gets on and retains or transfers the plate. Swaps Tax discs with the buyer when DVLA re-issue. V5 takes a bit longer, but seller sends that on in due course. Then buyer sends V5 to DVLA for keeper change.
In the real world seller releases the car with some paperwork covering the agreement. Gets on and retains or transfers the plate. Swaps Tax discs with the buyer when DVLA re-issue. V5 takes a bit longer, but seller sends that on in due course. Then buyer sends V5 to DVLA for keeper change.
As you stated really. He should have done it up front so if he wants to sell so he should not be too put out by doing it after the sale.
You could knock up a simple agreement and sign it and whilst it might not exactly be water-tight it will give you both some confort.
You could knock up a simple agreement and sign it and whilst it might not exactly be water-tight it will give you both some confort.
Edited by Hitch78 on Wednesday 12th January 09:45
I did exactly this. I would give him two options.
1. Sort it out and you'll complete the purchase after.
2. Agree that you will transfer the plate after you have received the updated v5 (about two weeks)
We went for option 2 - this does obviously require a degree of trust on the sellers part - guess it depends how valuable the plate is. One thing - make sure you consider the costs if you do the transfer. About 150 quid once fees and new plates are included.
1. Sort it out and you'll complete the purchase after.
2. Agree that you will transfer the plate after you have received the updated v5 (about two weeks)
We went for option 2 - this does obviously require a degree of trust on the sellers part - guess it depends how valuable the plate is. One thing - make sure you consider the costs if you do the transfer. About 150 quid once fees and new plates are included.
Ive done this a couple of times now. It depends how much you trust the seller, you can buy and take the car away, the seller keep the log book and mot so he can send off for the plate change. When all paperwork comes through they send you the new log book and mot and number plates, then you send the log book off in your name. Its also a good idea to get a nice typed out reciept for both parties to cover for speeding tickets, parking fines, proof of purchase etc.
I have had a personal plate for years and it can be a royal PITA (or more to the point the process is!). Doesnt fill all buyers with confidence!
The way I get around it is to take the money for the car, write a receipt (2 copies and keep one) stating that I have sold the vehicle subject to a cherished number retention and that the plate is not included in the sale. The plate will be subject to a transfer and the V5 and new reg details will be passed on.
In the meantime they take and use the car normally.
I then send off the V5 or in some circumstances take the V5 to the DVLA or Local DVLA VRO to deal with it ASAP.
Once I get the new Reg Doc I then fill it out in the new keepers details. I contact the buyer and forward the new Tax Disc and Green slip on to them.
V5 usually takes around 2-3 weeks but they do advise up to 8. Make sure he sends it recorded.
Works for me
G.
The way I get around it is to take the money for the car, write a receipt (2 copies and keep one) stating that I have sold the vehicle subject to a cherished number retention and that the plate is not included in the sale. The plate will be subject to a transfer and the V5 and new reg details will be passed on.
In the meantime they take and use the car normally.
I then send off the V5 or in some circumstances take the V5 to the DVLA or Local DVLA VRO to deal with it ASAP.
Once I get the new Reg Doc I then fill it out in the new keepers details. I contact the buyer and forward the new Tax Disc and Green slip on to them.
V5 usually takes around 2-3 weeks but they do advise up to 8. Make sure he sends it recorded.
Works for me
G.
Edited by Gallen on Wednesday 12th January 09:56
I think I'm going to have to speak to him and suggest we complete the sale and I transfer the plate over once the V5's back, quite happy to sign an agreement to that effect and have no real interest in private plate or messing him around.
The plate it's self is reasonably valuable, 2 letters & 3 numbers and I believe has some sentimental value as it's been in the family for a while, but I'm not happy to hand over £22k without getting the registration documents.
The plate it's self is reasonably valuable, 2 letters & 3 numbers and I believe has some sentimental value as it's been in the family for a while, but I'm not happy to hand over £22k without getting the registration documents.
andye30m3 said:
I think I'm going to have to speak to him and suggest we complete the sale and I transfer the plate over once the V5's back, quite happy to sign an agreement to that effect and have no real interest in private plate or messing him around.
The plate it's self is reasonably valuable, 2 letters & 3 numbers and I believe has some sentimental value as it's been in the family for a while, but I'm not happy to hand over £22k without getting the registration documents.
Personally I wouldnt allow this if it was my plate - as by letting you have the V5 you'd then have me by the balls and if something beyond anyones control was to go wrong with the car, it could put a nasty twist on things.The plate it's self is reasonably valuable, 2 letters & 3 numbers and I believe has some sentimental value as it's been in the family for a while, but I'm not happy to hand over £22k without getting the registration documents.
What about pay a deposit, then wait for the Docs?
Silverdaz said:
Chapppers said:
What? My dad swapped his plate to my car while I was on holiday for 2 weeks. It doesn't take long!
Last one i did last september took around 4 weeks probable depends how busy they are at the time.I'd steer clear of any convoluted solutions. The main issue is the car - deal with that first and then deal with the plate.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
Hitch78 said:
I'd steer clear of any convoluted solutions. The main issue is the car - deal with that first and then deal with the plate.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
The seller should have sorted it out long before putting the car up for sale. Just because he couldn't be arsed he now wants to mess you around. Is he concerned about the shame of driving around for a few weeks without his reg on?
madbadger said:
Hitch78 said:
I'd steer clear of any convoluted solutions. The main issue is the car - deal with that first and then deal with the plate.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
It is the seller's issue - they should be the one expected to take the risk of the other party failing to come through, not you. If he is not prepared to take that risk then he needs to sort his plate first and readvertise.
The seller should have sorted it out long before putting the car up for sale. Just because he couldn't be arsed he now wants to mess you around. Is he concerned about the shame of driving around for a few weeks without his reg on?
The cars gone for it's inspection this morning, he's know the guys at the specialist garage for a number of years as have I so I'm hoping they'll slightly put his mind at rest with regards to me not messing him around.
Edited by andye30m3 on Wednesday 12th January 10:22
Took just under two weeks to get the amended V5 back when I sold my car. The DVLA's 8 weeks is an arse-covering guideline.
Can you afford to pay for the car and the plate and then get the agreed value of the plate back from the seller when you complete the transfer of the plate for him/her?
I've done this two ways: when I bought a car I bought it with the seller's private plate and then transferred it back to him afterwards. The plate was absolutely worthless to me (and most people) but had sentimental value to him which is why he was willing to trust me. When I sold the car with my own plate on it, I insisted that the buyer wait for the transfer to finish because my own plate is potentially valuable to more people than just me and I didn't want to risk it. Fortunately the DVLA sent me back the amended V5 quickly enough that it didn't cause a problem.
I think buyer/seller communication is the key.
Can you afford to pay for the car and the plate and then get the agreed value of the plate back from the seller when you complete the transfer of the plate for him/her?
I've done this two ways: when I bought a car I bought it with the seller's private plate and then transferred it back to him afterwards. The plate was absolutely worthless to me (and most people) but had sentimental value to him which is why he was willing to trust me. When I sold the car with my own plate on it, I insisted that the buyer wait for the transfer to finish because my own plate is potentially valuable to more people than just me and I didn't want to risk it. Fortunately the DVLA sent me back the amended V5 quickly enough that it didn't cause a problem.
I think buyer/seller communication is the key.
It's all about trust and communication. Take the car on his plate,leave the docs with him to do transfer. If you don't feel you can trust him then you shouldn't be buying a car off him in the first place. If he's wary about letting you take the car it probably means he thinks some mechanical fault is likely to appear before transfer and piss you off so you have leverage over him to fix it!
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