Buy car without V5 because owner is keeping private plate.

[Squideatingdough]

Buying a car from a reputable car trader but without the V5 present at the time of sale because the owner is transferring the private plate, car is not currently and has not had MOT for some Time. after reading some posts and replies i am just a bit concerned that i might end up in limbo with the previous owner and me trying to get it tax/mot/plates off after the sale?

Edited by Squideatingdough on Friday 9th September 09:56

Edited by Squideatingdough on Friday 9th September 10:17

[Vee]

I would wait until the V5 comes back.
It could be genuine or at the same time someone unscrupulous trying to sell something that isn’t theirs.
It’s a non runner so if you wait a little to get work done is not going to make any difference.

[joropug]

I agree - Sometimes when buying a car, the V5 doesn't appear so you need to request it. But at least you have seen it at the time of purchase.

That situation is more complicated, off the road for a long time, you haven't seen the V5 - it might be registered to someone else, at a different address.

[BertBert]

Have you seen a copy of the v5 to be able to verify it?

Also has the LR got an mot? That's needed I think to change the plate.

I've bought two cars in the same circs without v5 but had enough verification of cat and owner not to be worried.

One view is that as the v5 is not proof of ownership and if you are happy you are buying from the owner then buy it and if the v5 doesn't turn up, just apply for one.

Might make insurance tricky though until you are the RK.

[chrisch77]

As noted above, you can’t take a plate off an un-MOTd car so prepare for trouble ahead…

[sandman77]

chrisch77 said:

As noted above, you can’t take a plate off an un-MOTd car so prepare for trouble ahead…

That certainly used to be the case a number of years ago but from what I understand it only needs an MOT if it’s been sorned for over 5 years.

[randlemarcus]

You won't be buying the car without a v5 with the new identity on it. It won't have a new v5 until it's got an MOT.
Until then, you have shaken hands on a deal, but won't be paying for it until later.