Private seller refusing to reveal registration number?

[anonymous-user]

Hi Chaps,

I've enquired about a car advertised with the registration plate obscured, and the (private) seller refuses to let me have the number so that I can do a HPI check and browse the MoT history etc. He swears on the life of his children (well, not quite that much!) that it's 'HPI clear'.

I understand there are concerns over 'cloning', but would this put you off taking it any further? Unfortunately, the car's a long way from me - otherwise I'd just call round to view...

[ApexCult]

Unless it's something extra special or rare just move on.

If you post the general location a local PHer might be willing to pop by and have a quick look for you

[Wacky Racer]

Difficult one....You can see both points of view.....You can always look elsewhere.

[Craig W]

Why would you want to buy a car from someone who isn't being helpful? It's not a good start is it. Do you really need to ask about this? Just move on to the next one.

[billbring]

What would they do if you wanted to see the car in person, take the plates off?
Sounds ridiculous to me, I'd walk away.

Never really understood the secrecy around number plates, I can clearly see a half a dozen just by looking out my living room window.

[joropug]

As someone who has had their plate cloned I agree with hiding the number plate in advert photos as that’s where mine was cloned from.

When selling though if someone phones then I provide. If they email they are probably a time waster.

It’s not so much about whether it’s HPi clear, I always Google registrations and do extra checks to see if there’s any videos of the car etc.

I think you can do a HPi via autotrader and presumably once you’ve done it you can see the registration .

[Trevor555]

280E said:

Hi Chaps,

I've enquired about a car advertised with the registration plate obscured, and the (private) seller refuses to let me have the number so that I can do a HPI check and browse the MoT history etc. He swears on the life of his children (well, not quite that much!) that it's 'HPI clear'.

I understand there are concerns over 'cloning', but would this put you off taking it any further? Unfortunately, the car's a long way from me - otherwise I'd just call round to view...

Yes, that'd put me right off, trust goes both ways.

This seller expects you to make the journey to see the car without doing proper research?

[CoreyDog]

Not showing the full registration in adverts, 100% agree with.

However if someone calls me and sounds genuine, more than happy to provide it.

As has been said, unless it's rare/cheap etc, plenty of easier options available.

No way would I take anyones word that a HPI is clear or MOT History is spotless, especially when it so easy to see for yourself. If they are hiding that, there is a reason.

[ZX10R NIN]

Walk away & find another.

[Spitfire2]

Yup. Don't waste your time. Look elsewhere.

[anonymous-user]

So he swears it’s HPI clear; ok, let’s work with that. But what about the MOT? If it’s blood red everywhere, I’d bet he’d want to hide it, and I bet you’d not buy it.

Balance of probability doesn’t look pretty here.

Walk.

[Hol]

Will he supply the chassis number instead?

Some checking services will check on either numbers.

https://www.carvertical.com/gb

[Vasco]

Just walk, not worth it.

[georgeyboy12345]

Give him an ultimatum, the reg or I'll walk.

[Ouroboros]

People are paranoid about reg plates, but only the DVLA or police could use them nefariously. If he doesn't give you it I would find a seller that does.

[Driver101]

I get hiding the plate in an advert, but not for a genuine enquiry. Doing all the checks is the normal thing to do.

It's either severe paranoia, or there is something to hide. I'd go for something to hide.

[hyphen]

Seller is a mentalist. Move on.

[muppets_mate]

Ouroboros said:

People are paranoid about reg plates, but only the DVLA or police could use them nefariously. If he doesn't give you it I would find a seller that does.

My bold. I am not sure that is really the case as people are talking about plate cloning for example - someone on this thread said it happened to them.

I agree with your second point though. It's reasonable to be cautious about showing a reg number in an advert, but once you have someone making a (presumably sensible) enquiry then you need to share the reg number if you want the enquiry to proceed.

[85Carrera]

This hiding the plate thing is complete bullst. What does he do when he drives it on the road?

Walk away.

[ED209]

The seller is clearly a buffoon.

Link the ad and I might ask him for the reg