Selling car and....
Discussion
Good evening all,
Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I have recently put my rs3 up for sale on this site. I have had interest from someone who is away on business, but is back tomorrow and wanting to come see the car. However, he has requested sight/pictures of the v5 and mot.
I don’t really sell cars often and have never had this request. I am just a bit cautious given the sums of money involved and mot history can be found on line. It could be completely genuine and I will gladly send picture of documentation if he can tell me why he needs them, but I am yet to receive a response.
Am I right in been cautious or am I been a pain in the ar5e?
Thanks in advance
Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I have recently put my rs3 up for sale on this site. I have had interest from someone who is away on business, but is back tomorrow and wanting to come see the car. However, he has requested sight/pictures of the v5 and mot.
I don’t really sell cars often and have never had this request. I am just a bit cautious given the sums of money involved and mot history can be found on line. It could be completely genuine and I will gladly send picture of documentation if he can tell me why he needs them, but I am yet to receive a response.
Am I right in been cautious or am I been a pain in the ar5e?
Thanks in advance
Thanks for the replies. The car has been my pride and joy, hence been cautious. I’ve sold a few cars, never had this request, so thought I would ask others.
I have not been an ar5e in my response and explained why I am reluctant to provide the information. Everything with the car checks out as it should, so i don’t have anything to hide.
I have not been an ar5e in my response and explained why I am reluctant to provide the information. Everything with the car checks out as it should, so i don’t have anything to hide.
He’s possibly trying to make sure it’s not stolen, given how likely these things are to go missing at the moment.
As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
eltax91 said:
He’s possibly trying to make sure it’s not stolen, given how likely these things are to go missing at the moment.
As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing, or even meeting at the parents house and only showing the log book with my address if a deal is done.As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
Sammyp123 said:
eltax91 said:
He’s possibly trying to make sure it’s not stolen, given how likely these things are to go missing at the moment.
As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing, or even meeting at the parents house and only showing the log book with my address if a deal is done.As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
I sympathise with the OP's predicament. As a dealer handling similar cars to his I get asked this kind of thing several times a week.
Some time ago I made a post on here asking if this kind of anonymous "Sherlocking" about a car's data was reasonable and I was assured by several others that it was, and it was a necessary part of their pre-purchase research.
Trouble is, many of the suggestions in this thread, such as meeting away from your home address, can lead to you looking shifty yourself "Buying a used car, the seller wants me to meet him at a petrol station down the road / address doesn;t match the reg doc,what do we think?"
To be constructive, I'm much more happy to provide this kind of info if I can verify the enquirer's identity. So an email from xyz@gmail.com with no phone number will get treated with caution. An initial phone call will allow me establish the enquirer's credentials either by a casual conversation or asking directly. Sometimes a just a full name and a town will allow you to corroborate someone on facebook, linkedin or companies house.
If he is any way concerned, I'd suggest the OP does the same. Rather than playing games, explain to the enquirer that you are concerned about security and can you have for example
a landline tel phone number to talk on
a work email address
ask for a email copy driving licence
Bear in mind too that some genuine buyers may be of a different race or social class from you, may be driving a car that you might not expect, won't know or care what or where Ingolstadt is, and be more interested in whether or not you have privacy tints on the windscreen than in your ringbinder full of garage bills
Some time ago I made a post on here asking if this kind of anonymous "Sherlocking" about a car's data was reasonable and I was assured by several others that it was, and it was a necessary part of their pre-purchase research.
Trouble is, many of the suggestions in this thread, such as meeting away from your home address, can lead to you looking shifty yourself "Buying a used car, the seller wants me to meet him at a petrol station down the road / address doesn;t match the reg doc,what do we think?"
To be constructive, I'm much more happy to provide this kind of info if I can verify the enquirer's identity. So an email from xyz@gmail.com with no phone number will get treated with caution. An initial phone call will allow me establish the enquirer's credentials either by a casual conversation or asking directly. Sometimes a just a full name and a town will allow you to corroborate someone on facebook, linkedin or companies house.
If he is any way concerned, I'd suggest the OP does the same. Rather than playing games, explain to the enquirer that you are concerned about security and can you have for example
a landline tel phone number to talk on
a work email address
ask for a email copy driving licence
Bear in mind too that some genuine buyers may be of a different race or social class from you, may be driving a car that you might not expect, won't know or care what or where Ingolstadt is, and be more interested in whether or not you have privacy tints on the windscreen than in your ringbinder full of garage bills
While the car is up for sale, are you able to block it in or keep it a little more secure than you usually would? Buying a crook lock or leaving it with the battery disconnected (or even removed) might make you feel a little more secure about letting people know the car’s location.
That said, unless blowing his own trumpet about being a hot shot, who feels the need to say “I’m currently away on business, but will be back tomorrow...”
That said, unless blowing his own trumpet about being a hot shot, who feels the need to say “I’m currently away on business, but will be back tomorrow...”
Wooda80 said:
I sympathise with the OP's predicament. As a dealer handling similar cars to his I get asked this kind of thing several times a week.
Some time ago I made a post on here asking if this kind of anonymous "Sherlocking" about a car's data was reasonable and I was assured by several others that it was, and it was a necessary part of their pre-purchase research.
Trouble is, many of the suggestions in this thread, such as meeting away from your home address, can lead to you looking shifty yourself "Buying a used car, the seller wants me to meet him at a petrol station down the road / address doesn;t match the reg doc,what do we think?"
To be constructive, I'm much more happy to provide this kind of info if I can verify the enquirer's identity. So an email from xyz@gmail.com with no phone number will get treated with caution. An initial phone call will allow me establish the enquirer's credentials either by a casual conversation or asking directly. Sometimes a just a full name and a town will allow you to corroborate someone on facebook, linkedin or companies house.
If he is any way concerned, I'd suggest the OP does the same. Rather than playing games, explain to the enquirer that you are concerned about security and can you have for example
a landline tel phone number to talk on
a work email address
ask for a email copy driving licence
Bear in mind too that some genuine buyers may be of a different race or social class from you, may be driving a car that you might not expect, won't know or care what or where Ingolstadt is, and be more interested in whether or not you have privacy tints on the windscreen than in your ringbinder full of garage bills
Exactly this. Thanks for the input. I have explained my concerns and asked why he wants . I said I will gladly provide it if he can tell me why. All my emails come from works email, from which he can check who I am. I am on the website etc.Some time ago I made a post on here asking if this kind of anonymous "Sherlocking" about a car's data was reasonable and I was assured by several others that it was, and it was a necessary part of their pre-purchase research.
Trouble is, many of the suggestions in this thread, such as meeting away from your home address, can lead to you looking shifty yourself "Buying a used car, the seller wants me to meet him at a petrol station down the road / address doesn;t match the reg doc,what do we think?"
To be constructive, I'm much more happy to provide this kind of info if I can verify the enquirer's identity. So an email from xyz@gmail.com with no phone number will get treated with caution. An initial phone call will allow me establish the enquirer's credentials either by a casual conversation or asking directly. Sometimes a just a full name and a town will allow you to corroborate someone on facebook, linkedin or companies house.
If he is any way concerned, I'd suggest the OP does the same. Rather than playing games, explain to the enquirer that you are concerned about security and can you have for example
a landline tel phone number to talk on
a work email address
ask for a email copy driving licence
Bear in mind too that some genuine buyers may be of a different race or social class from you, may be driving a car that you might not expect, won't know or care what or where Ingolstadt is, and be more interested in whether or not you have privacy tints on the windscreen than in your ringbinder full of garage bills
His has come from a gmail with nothing further than he wants pictures of the documents. Luckily, I am in no rush to sell as I am only selling due to doing more miles for work. I will keep the car if necessary.
Thanks again Everyone .
Have you spoken to him on the phone yet?
If you are selling an RS3 from your home do not give out your details to the innit bruv enquirers - due to high probability of theft.
If that sounds harsh just read up on the number of RS3 thefts and who steal them (not 100% accurate of course anyone, could try and steal one).
If you are selling an RS3 from your home do not give out your details to the innit bruv enquirers - due to high probability of theft.
If that sounds harsh just read up on the number of RS3 thefts and who steal them (not 100% accurate of course anyone, could try and steal one).
Lemming Train said:
Sammyp123 said:
eltax91 said:
He’s possibly trying to make sure it’s not stolen, given how likely these things are to go missing at the moment.
As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing, or even meeting at the parents house and only showing the log book with my address if a deal is done.As suggested by others, cover up address and ref numbers etc and then send it. He can check MoT online.
I’d also be tempted to avoid giving out an address. Perhaps meet him locally and then drive to yours? I know that seems like a fuss and possibly a big red signal to the buyer, but if he gets a v5 pic and then asks you for your address so he can come look at it, he knows exactly where to tell his crew of t leafs where it lives.
CrippsCorner said:
Really? The owner of my current car (only worth a few grand) wanted to meet at a 'random location' and wouldn't give me her address until I agreed to buy the car! Nice girl though, and there were no problems at all. Didn't think anything of it to be honest!
Sounds like some sort of dogging mission.Lemming Train said:
No buyer in their right mind is going to meet someone to view a car at some random location. You travel to the address that is on the V5 to confirm ownership by seeing the owner come out of his house and evidence that that is where he lives. It could be the best RS3 in the country but no way would I agree to meet a private seller with the car at anywhere other than the V5 address.
My son sold his Audi TTS last week to a young lad from Birmingham. He brought the car over to my house which is about 40 miles closer to Birmingham, which suited the buyer.We were a bit nervous about him turning up mob handed, so wanted to conceal his address just in case they came back later to steal the car.
They arrived about 4.30 pm in another Audi, two of them got out of the car followed by a third who was about 6' 2" and you start to think the worst. We had talked about all the scams like oil in the water header tank, switching keys, doing a runner on the test drive.
The guy who wanted to buy inspected the car while the other two kept out of the way with me, chatting about the nearly 4 hour drive down and the drive back.
The buyer asked if my son could take him for a test drive but didn't ask to drive the car himself because he didn't have insurance cover.
Came back from the test drive, said he wanted it, he had already paid a £250 deposit, paid the full price they had already agreed beforehand with no attempt to get money off.
They all came into my house while he phoned up his bank, and within 5 minutes the money was in my sons bank account. My son immediately transferred the money to another account.
We didn't have the V5 because he had to transfer a private reg but the guy said no problem, let me know when it arrives and I will give you my address and you can send me the yellow slip which he did 3 days later.
They drove off into the sunset and he sent my son a text a while later saying thanks.
I have never met such a nice bunch of polite honest young lads.
We both felt a bit guilty afterwards for even thinking they could be anything less than honest.
rallycross said:
Have you spoken to him on the phone yet?
If you are selling an RS3 from your home do not give out your details to the innit bruv enquirers - due to high probability of theft.
If that sounds harsh just read up on the number of RS3 thefts and who steal them (not 100% accurate of course anyone, could try and steal one).
selling cars is a minefield, like the post immediately above which worked out well but on the other hand far too many go awry - DO NOT give any personal details across, if someone is 'away on business' it means SFA and would tell me he is a scammer trying to act big. I want to sell my car, I couldnt give 2 hoots if someone is away on business or not.If you are selling an RS3 from your home do not give out your details to the innit bruv enquirers - due to high probability of theft.
If that sounds harsh just read up on the number of RS3 thefts and who steal them (not 100% accurate of course anyone, could try and steal one).
If someone wants to buy a RS3 they call the seller up, ask some questions and call to the sellers house and take it from there - also be wary of getting keyless keys cloned.
Plate spinner said:
ex1 said:
I would suggest that selling privately is not for you. Its a minefield especially with a car such as this.
I buy / sell pretty much exclusively privately. But an RS3 is one one of the few cars I'd probably pay a trade premium on both the buy and the sell.
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