How would you go about buying a car with outstanding finance

[Soupie69uk]

Just wondering, I was thinking of contacting the finance company and agreeing that I will pay off the finance instead of leaving the car owner to do this. I will pay it over the phone with the car owner present and I can then get either a receipt for the car or get the V5 signed across while it is confirmed as the payment cleared and then collect the car a couple of days later.

The car also came up on the hpi as Recorded as at risk on the Security register
"This register typically records vehicles at high risk of fraud or theft (e.g. hire cars, demonstrator vehicles and garage forecourt stock). The Security Watch register is primarily used by the Police, finance companies and the motor trade, to ensure that these vehicles can be traced if someone steals them or attempts to sell them fraudulently (for example - perhaps without first settling an outstanding agreement)."

I think this could be due to the outstanding finance however.

Some second opinions would be most helpful as I do not want to be caught out. I think the amount of outstanding finance is around the amount I will be paying for the car.

[Ved]

Yep, you and the owner on the phone to the finance company. They take all the details and once they confirm all the money is cleared the car is yours. I've sold cars this way before so it's fine. Just engage brain so you're not obviously getting scammed etc.