Cerbera Selling Advice....
Discussion
Hi,
This is my first post on these forums. I've sold quite a few cars on Pistonheads before and have used the forum as a source of knowledge many times, especially since I've owned the Cerbera.
I've currently got my Cerbera up for sale on Pistonheads.
I have had several enquiries, alot of which are from outside the UK which I am very wary of...firstly from the fraud/scam prospective and secondly its a great British car and I would really like it to stay in Britain...however if the interest appears genuine and UK buyers aren't interested then I may have to explore this avenue.
I've had a lot of contact from a 'Dr George' (goico0307@yahoo.com) who is based abroad (France atm I think). He is unable to come to the UK to view/ purchase via a safe method of payment, therefore I am not comfortable dealing with him. Sounds like a scam to me. However he claims to have recently purchased a Red Cerbera from Pistonheads - Has anyone dealt with this person before??
Has anyone dealt with sellers from abroad? If so, what advice can you give me? My feeling is, if they come to the UK to view the car and complete the transaction in the UK via a safe method of payment (bank transfer or cash) then I can't see too many problems...
Would much rather sell to someone in the UK so if you know anyone that might be interested please let me know (contact details are on the advert). It's a great car and (in my opinion) very reasonable priced against others on the market.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jason
Mod note: Let's not make this an ad for the car, cheers.
This is my first post on these forums. I've sold quite a few cars on Pistonheads before and have used the forum as a source of knowledge many times, especially since I've owned the Cerbera.
I've currently got my Cerbera up for sale on Pistonheads.
I have had several enquiries, alot of which are from outside the UK which I am very wary of...firstly from the fraud/scam prospective and secondly its a great British car and I would really like it to stay in Britain...however if the interest appears genuine and UK buyers aren't interested then I may have to explore this avenue.
I've had a lot of contact from a 'Dr George' (goico0307@yahoo.com) who is based abroad (France atm I think). He is unable to come to the UK to view/ purchase via a safe method of payment, therefore I am not comfortable dealing with him. Sounds like a scam to me. However he claims to have recently purchased a Red Cerbera from Pistonheads - Has anyone dealt with this person before??
Has anyone dealt with sellers from abroad? If so, what advice can you give me? My feeling is, if they come to the UK to view the car and complete the transaction in the UK via a safe method of payment (bank transfer or cash) then I can't see too many problems...
Would much rather sell to someone in the UK so if you know anyone that might be interested please let me know (contact details are on the advert). It's a great car and (in my opinion) very reasonable priced against others on the market.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jason
Mod note: Let's not make this an ad for the car, cheers.
Edited by Bill on Thursday 12th April 10:58
I don't know your mysterious buyer but personally I wouldn't buy a car without seeing it unless its so dirt cheap that I had no worries if it doesn't fulfill my expectations ...
A particular nasty trick is when the buyer transfers money to your bank account, but more than what was negotiated. Then he asks you to return the "rest" to a foreign account (what you do as an honest person). A week later the entire transfer from the foreign bank to your bank account will be cancelled because an uncovered cheque was used by the buyer. True story !
In other words, I wouldn't hand out any personal data as long you have not met your buyer.
A particular nasty trick is when the buyer transfers money to your bank account, but more than what was negotiated. Then he asks you to return the "rest" to a foreign account (what you do as an honest person). A week later the entire transfer from the foreign bank to your bank account will be cancelled because an uncovered cheque was used by the buyer. True story !
In other words, I wouldn't hand out any personal data as long you have not met your buyer.
I sold an evo to a bloke in Malta, sold unseen!
He 'sent his guy over' with the money. I insisted on him meeting me in the bank so i could watch him withdraw the money.
I was worried but it turned out ok. Of course selling to someone here is easier but theres a lot of foreigners about with money who want the car for various reasons, the bloke who bought mine wanted it as a rally car so maybe condition wasnt too important.
good luck with it anyway.
He 'sent his guy over' with the money. I insisted on him meeting me in the bank so i could watch him withdraw the money.
I was worried but it turned out ok. Of course selling to someone here is easier but theres a lot of foreigners about with money who want the car for various reasons, the bloke who bought mine wanted it as a rally car so maybe condition wasnt too important.
good luck with it anyway.
One thing to bear in mind is that a lot of Cerberas are heading abroad nowadays. TVRs seem to be very popular in mainland Europe, I recall lestershaw's and MarkH1s Cerberas both going abroad recently, as well as other TVR models, and those are just the ones I remember. That said, if it looks like a rat, and smells like one, then chances are it is one. Just be careful, and good luck.
Sold my VX220 prior to buying another cerb to a german buyer who was polite, friendly and paid in pound notes. He bought on the basis of my description, photos and a video i made of the car. The deal was done before he even got on the plane. Unlike the hoard of idiots my car seemed to attract from UK 
The only minor complications were that the buyer wanted a copy of the V5 which i had to scan and email to him to enable him to insure the car, he needed the main part of the V5 to take away and needed me to fill in and sign a german second hand car sale contract (but he had an english version so i could see what i was signing). He even posted me back the tax disc when he got home! DVLA no problem either just filled out the "exported" part and sent accompanying letter telling them about the sale.
My VX went overseas because the equivalent Opel Speedster was twice the price in Germany, whereas cerbs are rare and exclusive as well as being cheap with the euro exchange.
I suggest you tread carefully, ensure secure payment has been received in cash or bank transfer before releasing the car and dont take any risks. It is also a leap of faith for the buyer
The only minor complications were that the buyer wanted a copy of the V5 which i had to scan and email to him to enable him to insure the car, he needed the main part of the V5 to take away and needed me to fill in and sign a german second hand car sale contract (but he had an english version so i could see what i was signing). He even posted me back the tax disc when he got home! DVLA no problem either just filled out the "exported" part and sent accompanying letter telling them about the sale.
My VX went overseas because the equivalent Opel Speedster was twice the price in Germany, whereas cerbs are rare and exclusive as well as being cheap with the euro exchange.
I suggest you tread carefully, ensure secure payment has been received in cash or bank transfer before releasing the car and dont take any risks. It is also a leap of faith for the buyer
Hi, I am a foreigner as well and me and my friends here in the Netherlands are TVR enthusiast for more than 25 years now. All togerher we bought more than 75 TVR's the last 25 years. All from the UK. A couple of times British sellers were suspicious when they received a phonecall from the Netherlands which I understand. I remember one day around 2000 I made a phonecall to a guy who was selling his 350i wedge. He said yes, you can buy my TVR and so I jumped into the car to drive to Calais/Dover the next day. When I arrived in the UK I phoned the bloke again and then he started to hesitate. He told me that I can not buy his TVR anymore because he thought that I was a Kenian gangster operating from the Netherlands intending to steel his car. And he said, you probably know nothing about TVR's. After that I took 5 minutes of his time to tell him The full TVR history starting in 1946 where Trevor Wilkinson and Jack Pickard........and ended after 5 minutes with Smolenski. He than said ......"you can buy my car". Since than ALL my friends call me the "Long Kenian" . Thanks for that.
In the mean time I sold a couple of TVR's to make room for upgrades. I also did receive E-mails and phonecalls from foreigners with names like 'Dr George' . Don't spend any time on these guys ! If someone is really interested he comes over with the "cash" or makes a banktransfer after seeing the car.
And concerning TVR's leaving the UK to go to Foreigner enthusiast ; Well we like TVR's as much as you do.
kind regards
William " Long Kenian" Waardenburg
In the mean time I sold a couple of TVR's to make room for upgrades. I also did receive E-mails and phonecalls from foreigners with names like 'Dr George' . Don't spend any time on these guys ! If someone is really interested he comes over with the "cash" or makes a banktransfer after seeing the car.
And concerning TVR's leaving the UK to go to Foreigner enthusiast ; Well we like TVR's as much as you do.
kind regards
William " Long Kenian" Waardenburg
I was lucky enough to sell mine to a very nice chap who worked in a Nigerian bank. He sent me a deposit of £50 so I sent him my keys and docs. Someone came and picked the car up (I didn't even have to take time off work) and now I'm just waiting for the outstanding £12950 and sack of "non-conflict" diamonds.
These foreign buyers just seem a lot more resourceful than us Brits.
AND ON THE OHER SIDE OF THE FENCE....
I flew over several times to find a car. Paid with a Building Society Cheque and drove off.
Job done !
(However I think that I did make one cock-up in that the car should have had it's V5 sent to the DVLA quoting it as exported)
These foreign buyers just seem a lot more resourceful than us Brits.
AND ON THE OHER SIDE OF THE FENCE....
I flew over several times to find a car. Paid with a Building Society Cheque and drove off.
Job done !
(However I think that I did make one cock-up in that the car should have had it's V5 sent to the DVLA quoting it as exported)
i've sold 3 TVR's to germany, 2 to netherlands and 1 to france all really nice people.
if they are genuine they will want to come view the car and cash or bank transfer is the way to go (just make sure you agree price in sterling or do your home work on what exchange rate your bank will give you).
german paperwork can take a while and they will need your help to fill out but its because the import process is complicated, i remember one guy telling me when he took car for TUV test (super MOT) that they weren't happy that the car didn't have door handles and were considering making him fit some!!
the V5 copy is for insurance when you sell a car in germany its is the seller responsibility to check the buyer has insurance and the seller can be liable for 30 days, a very good idea i think.
don't get hung up on who you are selling the car too your not selling a run of the mill family hatchback, you're selling a very specialist car and market place is very small and you can't be that fussy
if they are genuine they will want to come view the car and cash or bank transfer is the way to go (just make sure you agree price in sterling or do your home work on what exchange rate your bank will give you).
german paperwork can take a while and they will need your help to fill out but its because the import process is complicated, i remember one guy telling me when he took car for TUV test (super MOT) that they weren't happy that the car didn't have door handles and were considering making him fit some!!
the V5 copy is for insurance when you sell a car in germany its is the seller responsibility to check the buyer has insurance and the seller can be liable for 30 days, a very good idea i think.
don't get hung up on who you are selling the car too your not selling a run of the mill family hatchback, you're selling a very specialist car and market place is very small and you can't be that fussy
Thanks for all the advice guys.
Been in contact with someone from abroad and they seem very genuine. They will come to view/test car first, willing to pay by bank transfer at the bank etc.
If it do end up selling abroad I am not a 100% sure on how the paperwork is completed. From what I've read I would sign it over as per a UK sale and then hand the V5 over to him, I would then follow this up with a letter to the DVLA to confirm I am no longer the owner. Does anyone know the exact process?
Been in contact with someone from abroad and they seem very genuine. They will come to view/test car first, willing to pay by bank transfer at the bank etc.
If it do end up selling abroad I am not a 100% sure on how the paperwork is completed. From what I've read I would sign it over as per a UK sale and then hand the V5 over to him, I would then follow this up with a letter to the DVLA to confirm I am no longer the owner. Does anyone know the exact process?
turnerj4 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys.
Been in contact with someone from abroad and they seem very genuine. They will come to view/test car first, willing to pay by bank transfer at the bank etc.
If it do end up selling abroad I am not a 100% sure on how the paperwork is completed. From what I've read I would sign it over as per a UK sale and then hand the V5 over to him, I would then follow this up with a letter to the DVLA to confirm I am no longer the owner. Does anyone know the exact process?
sign and date section 11 and post to DVLA, they keep rest of V5, job done! no need for letter.Been in contact with someone from abroad and they seem very genuine. They will come to view/test car first, willing to pay by bank transfer at the bank etc.
If it do end up selling abroad I am not a 100% sure on how the paperwork is completed. From what I've read I would sign it over as per a UK sale and then hand the V5 over to him, I would then follow this up with a letter to the DVLA to confirm I am no longer the owner. Does anyone know the exact process?
Looks like the car is going to Norway...
Anyone know where to get hold of a certificate of conformity for a TVR? I've searched back through some old threads but no definite answers.
I've seen the link on the TVRmotors.eu site (http://www.tvrmotors.eu/service-support/coc-confirmation-of-compliance/). Has anyone used this before? Seems abit pricey but if its the only option then I may have to do it. Could some of the TVR dealers out there provide one? Assuming they must export the odd TVR here and there...
Also, anyone know where I can get a replacement analogue clock for a Cerbera? My one is abit intermittent, going to see if I can fix it but looks like I'll need a new one.
Cheers
Anyone know where to get hold of a certificate of conformity for a TVR? I've searched back through some old threads but no definite answers.
I've seen the link on the TVRmotors.eu site (http://www.tvrmotors.eu/service-support/coc-confirmation-of-compliance/). Has anyone used this before? Seems abit pricey but if its the only option then I may have to do it. Could some of the TVR dealers out there provide one? Assuming they must export the odd TVR here and there...
Also, anyone know where I can get a replacement analogue clock for a Cerbera? My one is abit intermittent, going to see if I can fix it but looks like I'll need a new one.
Cheers
i'm pretty sure you can't get a CoC for a tvr! manly because they didn't conform typical example: all cars after 2000 should be by law fitted with an OBD2 diagnostic socket (30cm from driver), good luck finding one on a post 2000 tvr!
it will be down to the new owner in their country to try and argue it out with authorities, it all depends on rules and regs, i think in germany the authorities will issue one for you but will need to know details like length, width, weight etc. which should be easy to get hold of. the best thing to do is for new buyer to befriend someone who's already imported one into that country.
didn't someone just drive one back to Scandinavia in the snow, sure i read post the other week!
typical example: all cars after 2000 should be by law fitted with an OBD2 diagnostic socket (30cm from driver), good luck finding one on a post 2000 tvr!it will be down to the new owner in their country to try and argue it out with authorities, it all depends on rules and regs, i think in germany the authorities will issue one for you but will need to know details like length, width, weight etc. which should be easy to get hold of. the best thing to do is for new buyer to befriend someone who's already imported one into that country.
didn't someone just drive one back to Scandinavia in the snow, sure i read post the other week!
Last question....
The Norwegian vehicle authorities have agreed to accept the Cerbera into Norway just on the V5C document (no longer need the Cert of Conformity) but they do require some of the vehicle dimensions.
Most of the dimensions they can ascertain when the car arrives in Norway, however some they want ahead of time and ideally want from a TVR based source.
I've been able to find almost all the information on http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/... and the same basic information on http://www.tvr-webmart.co.uk/model_guide/tvr_model...
Does anyone have any other TVR sites that have this information? I've searched for ages but that's the best I could find. I've also spoken with TVRPower and they directed me to http://www.tvrmotors.eu/ who charge £250 for a Cert of Conformity which can be avoided if I can get the info elsewhere.
I need all the basic dimensions (height, weight etc) that the Tvrwebmart and Carfolio sources provide but with axle weight as well. If anyone has any websites/sources that can help then please let me know.
Thanks
The Norwegian vehicle authorities have agreed to accept the Cerbera into Norway just on the V5C document (no longer need the Cert of Conformity) but they do require some of the vehicle dimensions.
Most of the dimensions they can ascertain when the car arrives in Norway, however some they want ahead of time and ideally want from a TVR based source.
I've been able to find almost all the information on http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/... and the same basic information on http://www.tvr-webmart.co.uk/model_guide/tvr_model...
Does anyone have any other TVR sites that have this information? I've searched for ages but that's the best I could find. I've also spoken with TVRPower and they directed me to http://www.tvrmotors.eu/ who charge £250 for a Cert of Conformity which can be avoided if I can get the info elsewhere.
I need all the basic dimensions (height, weight etc) that the Tvrwebmart and Carfolio sources provide but with axle weight as well. If anyone has any websites/sources that can help then please let me know.
Thanks
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