Seller didn't transfer V5C to himself.
Seller didn't transfer V5C to himself.
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Discussion

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Hello everyone,

I have been looking for a car for a week or so and have come across a seller who is selling a car for around 2k, (4.3k) less than its value. The one issue I have is that after telling him to meet up at the address the car is registered at, he has told me that it is still registered to the previous keeper. After asking him why, he has told me that he bought it from a car auction 3 months ago and didnt transfer it.

I've already done a HPI check and it has come back clean, the seller also claims to have the receipts / invoices for the sale of the car, and we will be meeting up at his home.

Would this be a wise decision? Don't want to buy a car only to have it seized later for being reported stolen.

Any comment appreciated.

Nickp82

3,652 posts

111 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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How do you know what address the car is registered at?

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
I don't, but seller told me that he never transferred the log book and instead has the previous keepers.

av185

20,464 posts

145 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Is he a trader or private seller.

Makes a difference.

Why is the car cheap.

Nickp82

3,652 posts

111 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Ah I see, it could well be legit - if he bought it from auction and planned to sell it on there is no point registering the car in his name as it will already be registered as trade. Could be worth asking to see the auction invoice (with the purchase price blanked out) but as ever with these things tread carefully and check everything you possibly can.

AutoClouseau

185 posts

225 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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Its normal for the auction to send the V5 for a keeper change directly and charge the buyer for this, unless the buyer is a trader and registered as that with them.
Is the seller declaring he is a trader?

Make sure your HPI check covers all registers, the cheaper ones sometimes only check stolen/insurance claim and not finance.
If it all checks out, when you view the car and documents and are going to conclude the deal, change the keeper online with the DVLA, if it doesn't allow this, there may be another V5 floating about.
Nothing is 100 percent, but if your going to the sellers home and has something like a driving licence to that address, it checks out on HPI, perhaps transfer the money to his bank, think your as covered as you can be.

av185

20,464 posts

145 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Arrange to see the car and V5/Auction invoice/docs.

If everything appears ok try contacting the previous owner which should reveal anything untoward.


TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
av185 said:
Is he a trader or private seller.

Makes a difference.

Why is the car cheap.
Private seller I believe and I don't really know.

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Nickp82 said:
Ah I see, it could well be legit - if he bought it from auction and planned to sell it on there is no point registering the car in his name as it will already be registered as trade. Could be worth asking to see the auction invoice (with the purchase price blanked out) but as ever with these things tread carefully and check everything you possibly can.
Thanks for the reply, I'll ask him now.

Banner

222 posts

208 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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Sounds more like part time 'wanna be' trader trying to absolve himself of SOGA rights. He won't be paying VAT either!

Bomma220

14,932 posts

143 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Is the car really worth £2k more than its sale price?

I'd be very suspicious of why it's being sold at such a low price, it's a big drop for a seller to make if everything is 100% genuine.

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
AutoClouseau said:
Its normal for the auction to send the V5 for a keeper change directly and charge the buyer for this, unless the buyer is a trader and registered as that with them.
Is the seller declaring he is a trader?

Make sure your HPI check covers all registers, the cheaper ones sometimes only check stolen/insurance claim and not finance.
If it all checks out, when you view the car and documents and are going to conclude the deal, change the keeper online with the DVLA, if it doesn't allow this, there may be another V5 floating about.
Nothing is 100 percent, but if your going to the sellers home and has something like a driving licence to that address, it checks out on HPI, perhaps transfer the money to his bank, think your as covered as you can be.
I used the HPICheck.com website and came back clean. I'll match the VIN to ensure it's all good.

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
av185 said:
Arrange to see the car and V5/Auction invoice/docs.

If everything appears ok try contacting the previous owner which should reveal anything untoward.
I was thinking the same. Seller was willing to provide all the necessary documents.

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Banner - So could this mean he is hiding something?

Bomma - does seem suspicious, hence why I am skeptical but doesn't hurt to take it look, even though it's around 2 hours from my house.

anonymous-user

72 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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Probably stating the obvious here but I always google the phone number of a 'private' seller - that often uncovers that they're actually a driveway trader when you see the extensive advert history.

anonymous-user

72 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Bomma220 said:
Is the car really worth £2k more than its sale price?

I'd be very suspicious of why it's being sold at such a low price, it's a big drop for a seller to make if everything is 100% genuine.
Of course it's not.

SantaBarbara

3,244 posts

126 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
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What make and model is it please?

TheRiskTaker

Original Poster:

10 posts

98 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
Sten. said:
Probably stating the obvious here but I always google the phone number of a 'private' seller - that often uncovers that they're actually a driveway trader when you see the extensive advert history.
Spot on!!
A quick Google shows he has 2 other adds on Gumtree

Bomma220

14,932 posts

143 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
TheRiskTaker said:
Bomma - does seem suspicious, hence why I am skeptical but doesn't hurt to take it look, even though it's around 2 hours from my house.
Fair enough, it's just that there are very few genuine bargains around in the used car world, especially at £2k below their true value.

It's a 4 hour journey there and back, I do hope it's not a waste of your time and money. Tread very carefully and don't get your fingers burnt chap.

There's 1000's of other cars for sale out there.

Banner

222 posts

208 months

Thursday 31st August 2017
quotequote all
[quote=TheRiskTaker]Banner - So could this mean he is hiding something?

The car may be perfectly fine but, him selling the car to you as a private sale means you have no recourse with him in the event of a problem. If you're happy with that then that's ok.