'I took the car as a P/X so the V5 isn't in my name.'
'I took the car as a P/X so the V5 isn't in my name.'
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Discussion

Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Someone took a car as a PX and is selling it straight on. The seller told me that the V5 is still in the previous owners name as he didn't send it off. If he sends it off the car now has an extra owner.

If he's not the registered keeper, but I check VIN numbers and HPI check....what's the worst case scenario if no V5 with correct name/address?

grumbledoak

32,571 posts

263 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
If the car is not his it does not become yours even if you pay him for it. Total loss for you.

marshalla

15,902 posts

231 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
V5 != proof of ownership

Escy

4,130 posts

179 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
I assume he's got the V5 and he filled in the trade section in which case, don't worry about it.

Scoticus

272 posts

211 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
V5 doesn't prove ownership.

Ask to see relevant receipts/invoices for said vehicle and try to contact the person on the V5 to make sure his story is right

After that it's pretty much a normal car sale.. Just cover your self by getting a receipt if/when YOU purchase it

powerstroke

10,283 posts

190 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
marshalla said:
V5 != proof of ownership
V5 = registered keeper not proof of ownership!!

XAF

131 posts

240 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Er, Afraid not folks, It's written in big writing all over the front of the document that V5 is not proof of ownership.

marshalla

15,902 posts

231 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
<sigh>. != is geek for "is NOT equal to".... blah

Sbloxxy

122 posts

257 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Thats wrong actually. If the trader has filled in the yellow section when he bought the car in, its perfectly ok for it to remain in the previous owner's name. Its done so that it avoids another pointless name on the V5 and it allows the trader to sell the car on quickly. Do a HPI check and get a decent receipt and you'll be OK.

Actually possessing a V5 is NOT proof of ownership anyway.

A common lawyer

319 posts

158 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
powerstroke said:
marshalla said:
V5 != proof of ownership
V5 = registered keeper not proof of ownership!!

People write != to mean "does not equal".

Because ≠ isn't on many people's keyboard shortcuts.

Zwolf

25,870 posts

236 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
The registered keeper of a vehicle is not necessarily the legal owner - like it says on every V5C. This is one example of that, likewise a vehicle being sold by and within the trade and where a vehicle is purchased using car finance until title to the goods has passed over.

You need to satisfy yourself that they are the legal owner, so the paperwork relating to the particulars of sale and part-exchange jointly signed and dated by the seller and previous owner (which should at least match the V5C if what he's claiming is true) are what you need to see - and ideally retain a copy of.

It could *just* be a case of a shady trader posing as a private seller to evade their legal obligations/liabilities under SOGA. In which case you might ask yourself why - is there a known fault with the vehicle or is this someone working "off the books" to avoid taxation etc.

Worst cases - it could be a stolen vehicle and document (unlikely to get that too), in which case HPI the vehicle or contact the police to see if they have an interest in the vehicle. Or with the details on the V5C, use directory enquiries and contact the previous owner to verify the claim of PX.

It could also be a forged V5C and/or a ringed vehicle. Searching online should let you know all the places on that make and model of vehicle where the chassis number is stamped, which you can then check all tally with a) what's on the V5C and b) with each other.


Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
To clarify the guy isn't a dealer (or at least didn't say he was when asked was his name on the V5).

So therefore he couldn't fill out the trade section I presume.

Likewise a receipt or invoice is going to be a paper/home printed type thing at best so doesn't prove anything.

It's an R32 Golf.

VinceFox

20,566 posts

202 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Hark said:
To clarify the guy isn't a dealer (or at least didn't say he was when asked was his name on the V5).

So therefore he couldn't fill out the trade section I presume.

Likewise a receipt or invoice is going to be a paper/home printed type thing at best so doesn't prove anything.

It's an R32 Golf.
Get details of previous owner and contact directly. If he won't tell you, walk.

Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
By what? Letter? Take bloody ages. Only sure way is to go by the address though isn't it?

grumbledoak

32,571 posts

263 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
"Directory Enquiries, what name please?"

VinceFox

20,566 posts

202 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Hark said:
By what? Letter? Take bloody ages. Only sure way is to go by the address though isn't it?
Perhaps the seller has his contact number?

Personally, if it's not someone selling as a registered trader i wouldn't buy a car without a v5 otherwise.

Hark

Original Poster:

592 posts

210 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
grumbledoak said:
"Directory Enquiries, what name please?"
Bloody hell do they still exist. Can't remember last time I used them tbh. Good idea though.
VinceFox said:
Perhaps the seller has his contact number?
'Hi, yea I was the registered keeper. "Yea, yea I live at that address... No I'm not the seller's mate..."

VinceFox

20,566 posts

202 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Hark said:
grumbledoak said:
"Directory Enquiries, what name please?"
Bloody hell do they still exist. Can't remember last time I used them tbh. Good idea though.
VinceFox said:
Perhaps the seller has his contact number?
'Hi, yea I was the registered keeper. "Yea, yea I live at that address... No I'm not the seller's mate..."
Want me to come with you and hold your hand?

Jesus.

Zwolf

25,870 posts

236 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
Hark said:
Likewise a receipt or invoice is going to be a paper/home printed type thing at best so doesn't prove anything.
Yes it does actually. That's why you should always have one to document any contract of sale made between buyer and seller.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-gu...

Of course a trader posing as a private seller to try and avoid tax and/or legal obligations isn't going to fill in and send off the yellow section or tell you they're a trader.

Things like stipulating payment in cash only and being unwilling or extremely reluctant to provide bank details for a transfer and not wanting any official paperwork are clues. Also "not wanting to add another owner" rings a little bell too.

Do at least HPI the thing and contact the previous owner.

New POD

3,851 posts

180 months

Wednesday 15th January 2014
quotequote all
marshalla said:
<sigh>. != is geek for "is NOT equal to".... blah
Really ? I thought >=< or <=> was geek for "is NOT equal to".... blah

If someone takes a car in PX then then are most likely a dealer pretending to be a private seller.

Nothing wrong with that, but caution and buyer beware has me walking away. Same as "selling it for my aunt"