Selling a car - is giving the buyer a receipt necessary?

[larrylamb11]

A couple of weeks ago a bloke turns up on my drive out of the blue asking if one of my cars was for sale. As it turned out, its one that I wasn't really using any more and had since been superceded... so the answer was 'yes'.
Long story short, he came round again last night and bought it with cash - hooray! saves me the job of advertising it.
When I got the V5 out, he filled out the 'Selling your car to a trader' section and had hopped in and driven off before I had thought about giving him a receipt.
Should I have given him a receipt? or is it up to the buyer to ask for one?
Should I try to contact the buyer (all I have is a mobile no.) and ask him if he wants a receipt do you think? I do normally give and ask for receipts... but this sale completed a little faster than I expected and it slipped my mind at the time.

[LukeSi]

Well since he seems to be a trader I would say no. If he asks for one then yes do give him a receipt but otherwise I wouldn't bother.

[MarJay]

If he didn't want one, then I wouldn't give him one. If he wants one, give one to him but put "Sold privately without implied or actual guarantee or warranty." or something on it.

[lewes]

I normally do and get them to sign it. I also put the date and time on it as I dont really want a speeding fine to coming to me.

[larrylamb11]

I would normally provide a receipt... it just escaped my attention this time. I assume there isn't any legal duty to provide a receipt? Equally it sounds like it isn't worth contacting the buyer to offer one at this stage, correct?

[philmots]

I try to get one with date and time on, so any speeding fines atc could be disputed. for what it's worth!

[Chris71]

lewes said:

I normally do and get them to sign it. I also put the date and time on it as I dont really want a speeding fine to coming to me.

Worth doing. The last time I sold a car the new owner took it through the congestion charge zone (accidentally I'd like to think...) on the way back from collecting it and I got the bill for it. Fortunately I had the time and date on the receipt.

[anonymous-user]

A receipt is provided by a seller to a buyer as proof (in the buyer's hands) that the seller has received the purchase price.

So, a receipt stops a seller popping up after the transaction claiming that he has not been paid (in full or at all).

As a seller, therefore, I wouldn't be too worried at the fact that there's no receipt.

[was8v]

philmots said:

I try to get one with date and time on, so any speeding fines atc could be disputed. for what it's worth!

+1 so you have something to say you sold the vehicle if fines drop through your door.

However my mate sold a £50 nissan micra once, and only noticed when he went to send the V5 off that bloke who bought it had written down a completely made up address.