Buying privately from someone who's not the reg'd keeper
Discussion
Looking for a bit of guidance here, or perhaps just to re-affirm the 'listen to your instincts' approach.
I'm interested in a 3yr old A4 Cab, which is being sold by the owners brother, as the owner has apparently moved to the states in rather a hurry for a new job opportunity.
Now I've got the reg number, and checked the history of the car from the Audi dealership where she's purchased and had it serviced, so the car does stack up with what the seller has told me there.
The car has some finance against it which will need to be settled as well, for approx 80% of the cars market value.
I presume I'd need a letter or some confirmation from the lady who owns the car, and some way of proving the outstanding finance is against her name?
The paranoid side of me says, it's too much trouble, but I do like the car, and it's the perfect spec, but I'm obviously not wishing to expose myself to unnecessary risk in purchasing it.
Cheers all.
I'm interested in a 3yr old A4 Cab, which is being sold by the owners brother, as the owner has apparently moved to the states in rather a hurry for a new job opportunity.
Now I've got the reg number, and checked the history of the car from the Audi dealership where she's purchased and had it serviced, so the car does stack up with what the seller has told me there.
The car has some finance against it which will need to be settled as well, for approx 80% of the cars market value.
I presume I'd need a letter or some confirmation from the lady who owns the car, and some way of proving the outstanding finance is against her name?
The paranoid side of me says, it's too much trouble, but I do like the car, and it's the perfect spec, but I'm obviously not wishing to expose myself to unnecessary risk in purchasing it.
Cheers all.
Do a HPI check which includes a vehicle documents check. You'll need the issue date and serial number off the V5.
This check will not only confirm if the vehicle is recorded as stolen, but it will also check whether the V5 is genuine or not.
If the car is not recorded stolen, and has the real V5 then you'll probably be ok. But you're right to want to make sure that the person selling the car has the right to sell it!
Regards the finance, that will also be on the HPI check and I think standard practise, so long as it's not in "negative equity" is for you to pay the finance company directly, with the balance being paid to the seller. The finance company will confirm to the seller than they received the money, and you drive off.
(Or, go to a dealer where you pay more money but get less hassle.)
This check will not only confirm if the vehicle is recorded as stolen, but it will also check whether the V5 is genuine or not.
If the car is not recorded stolen, and has the real V5 then you'll probably be ok. But you're right to want to make sure that the person selling the car has the right to sell it!
Regards the finance, that will also be on the HPI check and I think standard practise, so long as it's not in "negative equity" is for you to pay the finance company directly, with the balance being paid to the seller. The finance company will confirm to the seller than they received the money, and you drive off.
(Or, go to a dealer where you pay more money but get less hassle.)
It's getting tedious now. I spoke to the owner (located in the states), who seems reasonable, if a little dry, however she refuses to send me a photocopy of the logbook to allow me to prove she's the registered keeper of the car.
She wants me to make a 200 mile trip down to the midlands (from Scotland)to see the car and documentation in person, whereas I'd rather have the full facts and picture before embarking on the journey.
Some sellers just don't get that there has to be a level of trust between the parties.
I normally wouldn't bother with the hassle, but with particular car is a fairly limited edition spec car, with reasonably low miles compared to the other examples. I might just park the idea, until I can engage with a more forthcoming seller.
She wants me to make a 200 mile trip down to the midlands (from Scotland)to see the car and documentation in person, whereas I'd rather have the full facts and picture before embarking on the journey.
Some sellers just don't get that there has to be a level of trust between the parties.
I normally wouldn't bother with the hassle, but with particular car is a fairly limited edition spec car, with reasonably low miles compared to the other examples. I might just park the idea, until I can engage with a more forthcoming seller.
Edited by Doovde on Tuesday 3rd July 11:04
Some people are reticent about giving out the full details of the log book because it could be used to mock up a fake log book with the "correct" details for a cloned car that you're trying to sell. So she doesn't trust you in that respect.
This is starting to sound like it might be a real pain. I'd start looking for other cars personally.
This is starting to sound like it might be a real pain. I'd start looking for other cars personally.
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