Question around possible V5 issues

[petjam]

Morning all,

I have seen a classic on the internet that I am interested in buying. The advert reads as "one owner from new". However on further investigation it transpires that the current owner purchased the car from the first owner, has owned it for a year and hasn't registered it in his name to preserve the "1 owner" on the V5.

From the pictures the car looks mint but I have never encountered this V5 issue. Should I run? I think I should. Or is this a commonly done thing which I have never encountered before?

Thanks for reading.

Edited by petjam on Thursday 28th June 08:38

[//j17]

Think I'd want to be running.

[Mandat]

Is it being sold by a trader or private seller?

[aeropilot]

//j17 said:

Think I'd want to be running.

So would I.

Seen this a number of times before in years gone by.

However, I didn't think this was possible now with the way the DVLA have computerised the process, unless as mentioned above its a trader....?

[TooMany2cvs]

petjam said:

I have seen a classic on the internet that I am interested in buying. The advert reads as "one owner from new". However on further investigation it transpires that the current owner purchased the car from the first owner, has owned it for a year and hasn't registered it in his name to preserve the "1 owner" on the V5.

So it's one owner from new (how long ago?) right up until a year ago, when the current vendor bought it with the intention of reselling it.

So it's being sold by a trader, whether he wants to admit it or not. If he does, then you're in agreement on any legal comeback should it turn south. If not, then there may be some disagreement - but the worst case, you're the same position as if it was a private seller.

Where's the showstopper here?

[petjam]

TooMany2cvs said:

So it's one owner from new (how long ago?) right up until a year ago, when the current vendor bought it with the intention of reselling it.

So it's being sold by a trader, whether he wants to admit it or not. If he does, then you're in agreement on any legal comeback should it turn south. If not, then there may be some disagreement - but the worst case, you're the same position as if it was a private seller.

Where's the showstopper here?

I never thought of it like that. I was worried that the original person, could come back and somehow it would have to be returned?

He has had it for a year. It is the car below: -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W123-estate-19...

Edited by petjam on Thursday 28th June 12:53

[TooMany2cvs]

petjam said:

I was worried that the original person, could come back and somehow it would have to be returned?

Not because of the V5C. It even says on it in big letters that it's not proof of ownership.

petjam said:

He has had it for a year. It is the car below: -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W123-estate-19...

Definite trader - also selling a Mini, and lots of feedback for parts and the like.

[Mandat]

Reading the advert, it is clear that the seller is not a trader.

Also, I think that the "one owner from new" claim is specifically in relation to the 101000 miles on the clock.

Has he told you that he is not listed on the V5 as the current RK, as the advert makes no mention of this.

[Norfolkandchance]

I don't have one to hand, but I seem to remember that the V5 has "this is not a proof of ownership" written on it anyway.

If it isn't the vendor's to sell and you paid him for it then you would be entitled to the money back. That doesn't mean that in practice that you would get the money back.

It isn't, of course "one owner" though you would presumably be able to sell it as "two owners" after you've registered it and used it. This may or may not be worth a premium to you.

If it was me, I'd go and look. If I liked it and the vendor seemed legit and likely to be worth suing in the future if required, then I don't see why I wouldn't buy it.

[TonyRPH]

petjam said:

I never thought of it like that. I was worried that the original person, could come back and somehow it would have to be returned?

He has had it for a year. It is the car below: -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W123-estate-19...

Edited by petjam on Thursday 28th June 12:53

The panel gap between the trailing edge of the front wing and leading edge of the driver's door looks a bit odd toward the bottom.

[Norfolkandchance]

I've just read the advert.

If he was planning on keeping it, as the ad implies, why didn't he register it?

[petjam]

That's what I am thinking.

[TooMany2cvs]

Mandat said:

Reading the advert, it is clear that the seller is not a trader.

Odd choice of key tag for a genuine owner, rather than a trader.

[Yertis]

TooMany2cvs said:

Odd choice of key tag for a genuine owner, rather than a trader.

Is that glove-box trim supposed to look like that?

[TooMany2cvs]

Yertis said:

Is that glove-box trim supposed to look like that?

Safe to say the glue on the plastiplank has given up over the intervening 35yrs, with nothing else retaining the ends.

[john2443]

Go and have a look, check the V5, contact the previous owner and ask them questions about it and see if the 2 stories check out.

[lowdrag]

C'mon chaps, the car is 34 years old and has done a six-figure mileage. It isn't expected to be showroom condition, but she does look very desirable just the same.