Odd result on an RAC Vehicle Check?

[bramley]

Hi,

Bought a car on ebay and when I run the numberplate through the RAC vehicle check it says:

"No descriptive data is held by DVLA for registration number XXXXXXXX.
If the registration is correct, continue with the check."

The next step on the website is to enter V5 serial number and VIN number which I've requested from the seller.

Surfed the dvla site for a while and found a check on there, which confirms a V5 is issued for that reg plate, but must admit I'm suspicious that the car doesn't show up on the RAC reg checker.

Also, the seller claims he's had the car two years yet the V5 he holds has an issue date of 14th Feb 2008.

Does any of this raise alarm bells? Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[paoloh]

Hi Bramley,

I'm a car dealer and this happens far more than you would think!

HPI is not all seeing.

[splitter / judas]

Stick the reg in here and see what comes up

http://www.askmid.com/askmid.aspx

[bramley]

Thanks paoloh.

Interestingly the car doesn't show up on the insurance database either

[splitter / judas]

Car registrations can drop off of the DVLA database after a few years if there is no action on them i.e. no taxed for a while. Strange system they have.

[bramley]

Interesting, but the seller stated in the ad he's used it every day for 2 years so I'd expect it to have been taxed. Maybe I should try calling the DVLA?

[splitter / judas]

bramley said:

Maybe I should try calling the DVLA?

[bramley]

A private plate was transferred.....done an HPI check against the VIN and it's recorded as a Cat D! Gutted. Nice of the bloke to point out it was Cat D.

Thanks for the help anyway.

[splitter / judas]

Sorry to hear that. What's your game plan now with this?

[hardcorehobbit]

I'd have no problem buying a cat D car, as long as I had definate confirmation that itd been repaired properly. Far as I know, theres a certificate of some sort to say it's been fixed properly.


Though if the seller didnt mention it... then I'd be wary.

[bramley]

Well, I only bidded on it because the seller had made a typo in the description so I figured it might not get many bids and I could buy and sell it on for a small profit.

I'd been holding off paying a deposit on it until i got all the info for an HPI check, so my only cost is a £5 vehicle check, and I certainly won't be buying the car.

I'm just wondering if the seller has any obligation to declare the car's history? I needa good reason to pull out of the sale. getting one negative feedback ain't gonna worry me, cos he'll get one back, it's more the legal side of the contract that's made through ebay that makes me want to look for a 'proper' reason to pull out.

[flyinyam]

Cat D , not the end of the world if it was reflected in the asking price.

I just got myself a cat D landcruiser, only know cos owner told me!

Paid cheap money for it!

After all cat D is the least class of damage, ranging from smashed windows to relatively light panel damage, i've previously done more damage and repaired it myself, than i've seen some cat Ds.

Fy

Edited by flyinyam on Saturday 23 February 20:38

[splitter / judas]

Trade descriptions act - seller hasn't adhered to it so you can use this and if need be report to fleabay.

[will_]

splitter / judas said:

Trade descriptions act - seller hasn't adhered to it so you can use this and if need be report to fleabay.

Does this apply to a private e-bay sale though? I think you'll only have a legal leg to stand on if you asked if it was HPI clear and he confirmed that it was. IMO if you ask a question and get an answer that proves to be incorrect, then you can avoid the contract which was made when you won the auction.

Chances are that he won't follow it up, but worth clarifying your position in case he does.

Also worth considering if you got it for such a low figure below market price that you can still sell it on for a profit even if it's Cat D?

[splitter / judas]

If seller is in the UK then yes the trade descriptions act must be adhered to.

[will_]

splitter / judas said:

If seller is in the UK then yes the trade descriptions act must be adhered to.

Interesting, I was under the impression that private sales were governed by the principle of 'buyer beware', i.e. you need to do your own research and it's up to you to ask the right questions. There is not, as far as I know, a full disclosure requirement for private sales.

[Munter]

This is what trading standards says about using auction websites.

These sites are becoming increasingly popular. Many people who advertise goods on this type of site are private sellers. Your rights against a private seller are considerably reduced and are the same as if you answered an ad in your local paper. It is very much 'buyer beware' regarding the quality of the goods, but the goods must still be as described. On an internet site, it may be difficult to find out who you are dealing with.

So the goods must be as described. If it's cat D and it's not described as cat D. I'd say your in the clear.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/callist...

[will_]

Munter said:

This is what trading standards says about using auction websites.

These sites are becoming increasingly popular. Many people who advertise goods on this type of site are private sellers. Your rights against a private seller are considerably reduced and are the same as if you answered an ad in your local paper. It is very much 'buyer beware' regarding the quality of the goods, but the goods must still be as described. On an internet site, it may be difficult to find out who you are dealing with.

So the goods must be as described. If it's cat D and it's not described as cat D. I'd say your in the clear.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/callist...

Really? I'd suggest that unless it made mention of the insurance register status of the car then that it is legally acceptable not to mention that it's Cat D. After all, it's not wrongly described, even if it's called 'immaculate' or even 'good condition' if that is what the car is, regardless of the Cat D. If he said 'no stories' or 'HPI clear' then I'd agree with you.

[Munter]

will_ said:

Munter said:

This is what trading standards says about using auction websites.

These sites are becoming increasingly popular. Many people who advertise goods on this type of site are private sellers. Your rights against a private seller are considerably reduced and are the same as if you answered an ad in your local paper. It is very much 'buyer beware' regarding the quality of the goods, but the goods must still be as described. On an internet site, it may be difficult to find out who you are dealing with.

So the goods must be as described. If it's cat D and it's not described as cat D. I'd say your in the clear.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/callist...

Really? I'd suggest that unless it made mention of the insurance register status of the car then that it is legally acceptable not to mention that it's Cat D. After all, it's not wrongly described, even if it's called 'immaculate' or even 'good condition' if that is what the car is, regardless of the Cat D. If he said 'no stories' or 'HPI clear' then I'd agree with you.

I'd say it's such a significant part of the cars history and paperwork that to not mention it was deliberately misleading.

[splitter / judas]

If you buy a car it is done with the expectation it will be in working order unless specified otherwise. Well done to the OP for doing all the checks.