Buying car - logbook query

[325iMSport]

I'm going to look at a car tomorrow hoping to buy it but i have a query regarding its logbook.

I have spoken to the seller but he says he only has the green slip of the V5, not the complete log book. He says he is a small car trader working from home and he has only just the car.

Therefore if i buy the car, obviously i will get the green slip and i will have to apply for the logbook.

I am viewing the car at his home address which should help and will definetly get a reciept from him with full details of the sale.

I will also get a HPI check done before hand to confirm its all clear and the VIN number matches the vehicle.

Also, when applying for the logbook i presume the DVLA will write to the the previous owner so the trader in this case?

Am i taking a risk buying the car without the full logbook? If so, are there any precautions i can take?

Thanks

[crostonian]

Just make sure the green slip is valid and not off a superceded document. Obviously depends on the amount of money changing hands but it wouldn't bother me too much from the info you've given.

[325iMSport]

crostonian said:

Just make sure the green slip is valid and not off a superceded document. Obviously depends on the amount of money changing hands but it wouldn't bother me too much from the info you've given.

I presume an HPI check will tell me the latest V5 document reference number?

[andymc]

no i dont think so

[325iMSport]

andymc said:

no i dont think so

So how do I ensure the green slip is off the latest document?

[325iMSport]

Any other advice?

[SuperVM]

If he is a car trader, why does he have the green slip instead of the full log book bar the yellow slip, which should have been completed and sent off by the previous owner?

[Krikkit]

Presumably he doesn't declare his trading, or has no idea how to fill out a V5 correctly.

[jdcampbell]

I'd call the DVLA for advice, armed with the registration number and chassis number.

If he is a trader he's done the wrong thing with the V5. I am sure there is a different process when selling the car to a trader. He's probably operating as a trader but not officially following the correct procedure.

[littleredrooster]

If he's got the green slip, it's no use to you as the RK address has now been registered to him! He'll have to wait for the V5 to come back in his name, then do it all again with your name in it.

[Fast Bug]

Krikkit said:

Presumably he doesn't declare his trading, or has no idea how to fill out a V5 correctly.

Very much this.

You can call the DVLA to confirm if a V5 is legit or not, I'm not sure if there's a reference number on the green slip or not though?

[MysteryLemon]

If he's a trader then he knows fully well that he should have the full V5 for you to put your address on and sign.

If he has purchased the car from a private seller and only has the new keeper supplement then he's filled in the wrong section of the form, registering himself as a new keeper. You taking that new keeper supplement is incorrect and is to prove that he is the owner of the car until the new document turns up. Really, he shouldn't sell the car until the new docs turn up so you can sign them before taking the car away.

[littleredrooster]

littleredrooster said:

If he's got the green slip, it's no use to you as the RK address has now been registered to him! He'll have to wait for the V5 to come back in his name, then do it all again with your name in it.

MysteryLemon said:

If he has purchased the car from a private seller and only has the new keeper supplement then he's filled in the wrong section of the form, registering himself as a new keeper. You taking that new keeper supplement is incorrect and is to prove that he is the owner of the car until the new document turns up. Really, he shouldn't sell the car until the new docs turn up so you can sign them before taking the car away.

I suppose it was worth repeating...