Won car on Ebay without viewing - advice please

[OctaneV8]

As per title, I won an auction for a car without viewing. I want to find out what can I do to determine if this is good to go or not?


I am in new territory here as all my previous cars have been from private sellers and not from ebay so I
would really appreciate your advice.



Intending to use this car for daily commute.




Firstly the seller has 100% feedback and the description seemed honest.

I checked the car on RAC vehicle check for HPI... all clear.


The last keeper change was in 2008.

I feel slightly concerned about this, as the seller has stated that the car is an inbetween car from a good friend till a new one turned up, so it sounds like he hasn't bothered to put the V5 in his name - need to confirm this...



I contacted the seller to arrange collection. He has stated I collect from his work address - not home address.


If the V5 is not in his name, is there any cause for concern?






Planning to view and inspect the car and documents prior to handing over any cash whatsoever.


It's auction value is approx. 2k.

Many thanks

[CubanPete]

If it's at his house I wouldn't worry.

Unless you have been deliberately misled the decent thing is to buy it. I'm getting pretty fked off with people on eBay as winning an auction is now treated as an option, not a commitment, to buy.

[Camaro]

Sorry, you've won a car and now you're not sure how to proceed?

Well really you should go collect the car within the time frame he's possibly laid out in the auction, and then pay the amount that the auction was for. No ifs or buts. You decided not to view the car or have it checked out by anyone, what you've won is what you won, just like any other eBay auction, the only difference is that you have to go and collect it.

[1ians]

No, he's agreed to buy it if the cars as described.

He should have disclosed it in the description if it wasn't in his name.

I'd just reply with that car parks are not an acceptable place to purchase a car and offer to purchase from the registered keepers address.

[jamoor]

CubanPete said:

If it's at his house I wouldn't worry.

Unless you have been deliberately misled the decent thing is to buy it. I'm getting pretty fked off with people on eBay as winning an auction is now treated as an option, not a commitment, to buy.

That's what ebay motors is about.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/non-binding-bi...

[Steffan]

I have bought many cars on Ebay over the years and sold a few. By bidding on the car you are agreeing to the terms of the auction. I have bought a number of cars unseen and bought every one. The OP should view the car and if it as described buy the car. I have never been disappointed in the cars I bought. The time for questions and answers is before bidding. When you win you go to collect and view the car. Unless it is markedly not as described viz materially defective upon examination then I think the OP should collect and buy the car.

[Camaro]

Apologies, having been on the end of several people who never followed through with sales, it can get a tad tedious dealing with people who like the other poster said, believe winning an auction then gives them the ability to quibble and negotiate a deal, rather than follow through with the auction deal.

Who did the HPI? Yourself or the seller?

It could be a matter of collection from work is easier for him, but I would want proof the V5 is in his name. Obviously public car parks are a no no with that sort of value of cash being handed over.

[Gareth79]

jamoor said:

That's what ebay motors is about.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/non-binding-bi...

That is the US policy. In the UK only the eBay Motors classified listings are non-binding, the auction-style listings are binding.

http://sellercentre.ebay.co.uk/non-binding-bid-pol...

I imagine it's related to the law in many US states that vehicle sales have to be notarised and formalised in ways that could void an auction sale.

edit: That said, I'd be wary about buying at a person's place of work unless a) it was obvious they actually worked there, or b) they provided enough good ID that I was satisfied who they were (and had a good reason why they couldn't do it at home). If the V5C didn't match up then I'd probably walk.

Edited by Gareth79 on Monday 3rd February 22:49

[anonymous-user]

jamoor said:

That's what ebay motors is about.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/non-binding-bi...

that is usa link, the uk link is http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/non-binding-...

and only applies to -

'Certain eBay listings involve non-binding bids, such as items listed in Property and eBay Motors classified listings (not auctions). A non-binding bid isn't a formal contract between the buyer and the seller, but it does represent a buyer's serious interest in buying the item. Insincere bidding isn't allowed on eBay.'

the op has entered a legally binding contract according to English law. (also whatever ebay say)

Edited by The Spruce goose on Monday 3rd February 22:49

[TooMany2cvs]

1ians said:

No, he's agreed to buy it if the cars as described.

He should have disclosed it in the description if it wasn't in his name.

Did he say it was in his name? If not, then there's no "not as described" get-out there.

OP - it's quite simple. You've bought it, unless he's lied about the condition. Take the cash with you, take a printout of the description, and make sure it conforms to it. Then hand the cash over, sign the V5C, and drive home.

OctaneV8 said:

all my previous cars have been from private sellers and not from ebay

It isn't "eBay" that's selling the car to you. It's a private seller.

[anonymous-user]

sounds like a trader tho.

[OctaneV8]

He wants me to collect from his work address.


I did the HPI check with the RAC.


He didn't state whether the car was in his name or not in the listing.


If the V5 isn't in his name and collection from registered keeper's address is not offered, is that any cause for concern??

[Steffan]

The Spruce goose said:

sounds like a trader tho.

Can only agree. Ask the questions first, then consider the answers, then ask any more that you feel need answering, then make your bids is the correct procedure IMO. Then view the car and if it is a described buy the car. Unless there are material differences from the description I believe you are honour bound under the Ebay system to buy the car. The time for such considerations is over when your bid wins the auction.

[1ians]

TooMany2cvs said:

Did he say it was in his name? If not, then there's no "not as described" get-out there.

Nah, having legal paperwork and ownership of the car is kinda assumed.

If someone was playing games with the V5 I'd happily tell them to do one and give them negative feedback.

I agree that the seller sounds like a trader.

I've bought and sold cars on eBay successfully without problems. Having the V5 in the sellers name is a reasonable assumption.

[Steffan]

1ians said:

TooMany2cvs said:

Did he say it was in his name? If not, then there's no "not as described" get-out there.

Nah, having legal paperwork and ownership of the car is kinda assumed.

If someone was playing games with the V5 I'd happily tell them to do one and give them negative feedback.

I agree that the seller sounds like a trader.

I've bought and sold cars on eBay successfully without problems. Having the V5 in the sellers name is a reasonable assumption.

I must agree that if the V5 is not present the car may be regarded as misdescribed and therefore not proceeded with. Personally I would have asked the question before bidding if in any doubt.

[ging84]

never buy a car from someone who is not on the v5, from an address which is not the address on the v5

[Steffan]

ging84 said:

never buy a car from someone who is not on the v5, from an address which is not the address on the v5

Indeed. Which us why I ask those questions.

[mikal83]

Sounds like the OP is the kind of timewasting bidder we all dread when we put stuff up for auction!

[TooMany2cvs]

1ians said:

Nah, having legal paperwork and ownership of the car is kinda assumed.

The assumptions you make are your own problem.

Is there a valid V5C? Yes.
Does the V5C say anything about the ownership? No.

What more than a V5C do you want?

[surveyor]

mikal83 said:

Sounds like the OP is the kind of timewasting bidder we all dread when we put stuff up for auction!

Ish. Or just inexperienced.

I do it wrong every time, so no point taking advice from me.

I would just give it a once over to make sure it's as described.

When you see the relist due to time wasters I always wonder if they've seen the car and discovered it's not what the seller suggested....