Buying a car off Gumtree
Discussion
Don't know if this is the right section of the site or not, but seems the most appropriate.
There are some historical threads on this subject, but none mention what I'm about to ask.
I'm sure there are many of you on here, that have successfully bought off private individuals on Gumtree, but would you think it reasonable (as a buyer), to ask to see a sellers driving licence (photo and address), so you can check it against the v5? (unless it's specifically stated in the advert that they're selling for someone else)
Do you think it would cause offence?
I see it as perfectly reasonable, and anyone who objects.... run a mile!
Appreciate your thoughts!
There are some historical threads on this subject, but none mention what I'm about to ask.
I'm sure there are many of you on here, that have successfully bought off private individuals on Gumtree, but would you think it reasonable (as a buyer), to ask to see a sellers driving licence (photo and address), so you can check it against the v5? (unless it's specifically stated in the advert that they're selling for someone else)
Do you think it would cause offence?
I see it as perfectly reasonable, and anyone who objects.... run a mile!
Appreciate your thoughts!
DIYMechGuy said:
Don't know if this is the right section of the site or not, but seems the most appropriate.
There are some historical threads on this subject, but none mention what I'm about to ask.
I'm sure there are many of you on here, that have successfully bought off private individuals on Gumtree, but would you think it reasonable (as a buyer), to ask to see a sellers driving licence (photo and address), so you can check it against the v5? (unless it's specifically stated in the advert that they're selling for someone else)
Do you think it would cause offence?
I see it as perfectly reasonable, and anyone who objects.... run a mile!
Appreciate your thoughts!
If you were stood in front of me with cash in your hand i wouldn't object, although it would only be a look I wouldn't be comfortable with you taking a photo of it. If you were asking over the phone before you'd even viewed it then it would be flat no.There are some historical threads on this subject, but none mention what I'm about to ask.
I'm sure there are many of you on here, that have successfully bought off private individuals on Gumtree, but would you think it reasonable (as a buyer), to ask to see a sellers driving licence (photo and address), so you can check it against the v5? (unless it's specifically stated in the advert that they're selling for someone else)
Do you think it would cause offence?
I see it as perfectly reasonable, and anyone who objects.... run a mile!
Appreciate your thoughts!
Always weary when buying cars privately from any adverts no matter off gumtree / Facebook etc. just in the process of looking at cheap cars for my daughter and I’ve discounted many due to certain things in the ads.
Seen one before, a really cheap fiesta for its age, good spec etc, looks decent but then I look at where it’s photographed and the area looks dodgy, some scally stood in the background etc makes me think twice about it. Just got to check all details out.
Seen one before, a really cheap fiesta for its age, good spec etc, looks decent but then I look at where it’s photographed and the area looks dodgy, some scally stood in the background etc makes me think twice about it. Just got to check all details out.
Condi said:
If someone explained why I wouldn't mind, but have never asked (or been asked) to do it either.
If the V5 matches the address you go to view the car at then that's usually enough. Agree with the poster above, don't buy a car in a layby on the M6.
There was that BMW in the forum recently where the seller delivered it... and it was an advanced ringer.If the V5 matches the address you go to view the car at then that's usually enough. Agree with the poster above, don't buy a car in a layby on the M6.
300bhp/ton said:
What's this question got to do with Gumtree?? Surely its just the same as buying any used car privately??? 
Because in the past and recently, I've seen some right dodgy adverts on there!Edited by 300bhp/ton on Saturday 28th January 16:24
One example being people who can't be bothered to write their adverts properly, or take half decent pics.
vaud said:
Either way you should be doing at their address. No harm in asking and no reason they wouldn't show you. But remember that a V5 has nothing to do with ownership.
I realise there are limits, and it would always be at their address, no one elses, I just thought it might be an extra layer of security if you like.v5 I believe shows last/current keeper name and address, licences shows their face and address.
People can be very sensitive these days that's all. You've got to be very careful what you say.
Oh, and in answer to another poster, no, I wouldn't be photographing the licence either, there's no need for that.
I sold a cheap car (£600) on Gumtree in 2015 and would never have expected to provide my driving licence to some random potential buyer/timewaster! The car was at my address which matched the V5.
I've bought a few cars privately since then for much more and never asked to see the seller's ID!
I've bought a few cars privately since then for much more and never asked to see the seller's ID!
Seems a bit overkill for a cheap car - just do the usual checks and buy from the address that matches the V5.
It works both ways I’ve found - Too many painful buyers through Fb and Gumtree who expect everything to be gold lined and a discount on the price.
You get a feel for a person and/or a car, if it doesn’t feel right, just walk away
It works both ways I’ve found - Too many painful buyers through Fb and Gumtree who expect everything to be gold lined and a discount on the price.
You get a feel for a person and/or a car, if it doesn’t feel right, just walk away
If a seller doesn't have the v5 (for perhaps legit reasons), is there any way to check the address the car is registered too?
Even asking for driving licence wouldn't help, because yes it would show name and address, but you couldn't check that against the v5.
So I guess you'd just take a gamble? Or not?
I know there are sites that check the reg, stolen etc, but I don't think they give that level of detail do they?
Even asking for driving licence wouldn't help, because yes it would show name and address, but you couldn't check that against the v5.
So I guess you'd just take a gamble? Or not?
I know there are sites that check the reg, stolen etc, but I don't think they give that level of detail do they?
Bought my previous to current Ford Focus on gumtree. Didn’t ask for ID but the guy was genuine, asked me in, I had to transfer the cash to him as the finance company refused to take payment from myself. This meant faffing about with my online banking as that amount needed authorised by phone call. Which never came for about 30 minutes.
If I were selling then I wouldn’t have any issue showing ID that matched the V5 address and current address.
If I were selling then I wouldn’t have any issue showing ID that matched the V5 address and current address.
DIYMechGuy said:
Trevor555 said:
No.
Just buy another car that has a current V5
Not worth the gamble.
What's the genuine reason they are saying why they don't have the V5?
I see many ads where it's stated there's no v5 (lost being one excuse) or just the green slip (those I view as a bit more suspect).Just buy another car that has a current V5
Not worth the gamble.
What's the genuine reason they are saying why they don't have the V5?
Ask the following when enquiring about any car.
1. How long have you owned it?
2. Is the V5 in your name, and car registered at your address?
That should weed out traders posing as private sellers.
Expect to get some of the usual replies if they've only owned the car for 2 weeks.
1. Wife doesn't like it
2. Dog doesn't like it in the boot
3. Car seat won't fit in back seats
4. Doesn't fit in the garage
I'm sure some of our PH members can add many more.
Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 29th January 16:32
I've bought and sold most of my (cheap) cars via Gumtree, some 30+ of them and have never been asked for my ID. I certainly wouldn't send it to a random person so I wouldn't ask it of them either.
If meeting somewhere that isn't the address on the logbook then fair enough, but it does seem a bit OTT.
How much are you spending?
If meeting somewhere that isn't the address on the logbook then fair enough, but it does seem a bit OTT.
How much are you spending?
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