Is this a scam?
Discussion
Just had this email regarding my car that’s for sale in the classifieds….its a kit car by the way.
" Hello, I'm interested in this car. Being myself from Italy, I need to check if the car can be registered here. I know that , after brexit, this could be not the easiest thing to do. Could you please send me a copy or the car documents so that I can ask the local agent for feasibility?
Thanks, Luigi "
If you think it is legit do you think I should send a copy if my V5 to this guy?
" Hello, I'm interested in this car. Being myself from Italy, I need to check if the car can be registered here. I know that , after brexit, this could be not the easiest thing to do. Could you please send me a copy or the car documents so that I can ask the local agent for feasibility?
Thanks, Luigi "
If you think it is legit do you think I should send a copy if my V5 to this guy?
Plenty of kit cars make their way to Europe so I wouldn’t immediately think it’s a scam. In a lot of countries the process of registering cars without type approval is complex or even near impossible and they don’t have an IVA system like ours. It’s it’s over 25 years old the process may be much easier for them.
I would still proceed with caution, but as the previous poster suggests, blank out the V5C reference number and VIN from any copies.
I would still proceed with caution, but as the previous poster suggests, blank out the V5C reference number and VIN from any copies.
Lordbenny said:
ridds said:
What is the car?
Sylva J15It's quite a niche vehicle for importing to Italy. Certainly won't have CoC.
They'll have to do a bit of digging their end to see how they can get it in most likely the Italian equivalent of the IVA I suspect.
Then the merry dance around Tax.
The more info they have the easier it will be for them to investigate.
Lovely looking car btw.
Edited by ridds on Sunday 23 February 20:10
Edited by ridds on Sunday 23 February 20:11
I had a very similar approach when selling a Chimaera pre-Brexit. I remember the rather imperfect English - “I very interested in your car”.
I ignored the email, thinking it was a scam. The guy emailed again asking if I had received his first email, and he would like to come and see the car. I said ok, and told him the area I lived and nearest airport and to call me when he was here. I expected to hear nothing further, but a few days later I had a call from Dieter to say he would be flying tomorrow. Sure enough he turned up, I picked him up from the airport and he came to view the car, went to a local hotel, came back the next day and paid cash, which we went with him to the bank to change to sterling. There is now a gold TVR driving around Düsseldorf.
I ignored the email, thinking it was a scam. The guy emailed again asking if I had received his first email, and he would like to come and see the car. I said ok, and told him the area I lived and nearest airport and to call me when he was here. I expected to hear nothing further, but a few days later I had a call from Dieter to say he would be flying tomorrow. Sure enough he turned up, I picked him up from the airport and he came to view the car, went to a local hotel, came back the next day and paid cash, which we went with him to the bank to change to sterling. There is now a gold TVR driving around Düsseldorf.
Notsofastfrank said:
I had a very similar approach when selling a Chimaera pre-Brexit. I remember the rather imperfect English - “I very interested in your car”.
I ignored the email, thinking it was a scam. The guy emailed again asking if I had received his first email, and he would like to come and see the car. I said ok, and told him the area I lived and nearest airport and to call me when he was here. I expected to hear nothing further, but a few days later I had a call from Dieter to say he would be flying tomorrow. Sure enough he turned up, I picked him up from the airport and he came to view the car, went to a local hotel, came back the next day and paid cash, which we went with him to the bank to change to sterling. There is now a gold TVR driving around Düsseldorf.
I’ve just had a really nice email from the guy who seems very genuine. He recently bought a dinghy (boat) from the uk and he says he’ll come over to see it. Deposit the money then come back to pick it up….if he can get it registered in Italy!I ignored the email, thinking it was a scam. The guy emailed again asking if I had received his first email, and he would like to come and see the car. I said ok, and told him the area I lived and nearest airport and to call me when he was here. I expected to hear nothing further, but a few days later I had a call from Dieter to say he would be flying tomorrow. Sure enough he turned up, I picked him up from the airport and he came to view the car, went to a local hotel, came back the next day and paid cash, which we went with him to the bank to change to sterling. There is now a gold TVR driving around Düsseldorf.
Stranger things do happen and I think cars are still cheaper in the U.K. than Europe. Used to be the case anyway.
Sounds like it might be worth exploring then, but as always and even more so, keep your wits about you and deal on your own terms.
Let him do the leg work and if he’s taking it pay directly to your bank. Don’t pass any information to him that you shouldn’t.
Sounds like it might be worth exploring then, but as always and even more so, keep your wits about you and deal on your own terms.
Let him do the leg work and if he’s taking it pay directly to your bank. Don’t pass any information to him that you shouldn’t.
I know of a bloke driving a TVR around Northern Italy that had to go through a similar process. It's reasonably common I think for cars that were never sold into Italy. Just redact your personal details if you are concerned.
The language is typical Italian English if its a worry that they're from somewhere else.
The language is typical Italian English if its a worry that they're from somewhere else.
Lordbenny said:
I’ve just had a really nice email from the guy who seems very genuine. He recently bought a dinghy (boat) from the uk and he says he’ll come over to see it. Deposit the money then come back to pick it up….if he can get it registered in Italy!
It's quite common for our cars to get exported to the continent and further afield as they are typically much cheaper here than there. I'd definitely respond to him asking what specific info he is needing from the V5 to "check with the agent that the car can be registered here". Logically that shouldn't entail more than the make and model name of the car, year, weight, class, emissions, ie. no personal details, nor VIN. See what his response is. If he's insisting on the VIN up front then politely decline.I used to be an exporter of vehicles for the African continent in a previous role, so have seen plenty of comms about wiring monies that would have most people running for the hills...
Someone called Luigi bought my old Renaultsport Clio, paid cash and was gone without even test driving it, easiest sale ever! He did live in the UK though.
My brother and I sold our Impreza's around the same time, mine went to Poland and his went to Germany... both times we had initial concerns but were genuine sales. Good luck!
My brother and I sold our Impreza's around the same time, mine went to Poland and his went to Germany... both times we had initial concerns but were genuine sales. Good luck!
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