AJI Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 With all the scammers trying their luck and attempting to cheat people out of money left right and centre, just thought I'd start a question/answer thread that people could add to regarding precautions you can/should take when selling or buying a car from a 3rd party. I'll kick off with Q(1) is it ok when selling a car to provide the V5 number to the potential buyer? A(1) ? Q(2) is it ok to provide address details to a potential buyer? A(2) probably not as this gives out information as to where a certain type of vehicle can be found. If potential buyer is 'shopping' for a car to steal you give him the address where it can be found. Q(3) ok to give out the vehicle VIN? A(3) no real reason as to why not. Potential buyers normally like to do HPI check and in doing so would like to match the VIN to the registration plate to make sure all is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 please add to the list as you see fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 It might be different if I was ever selling a 911 turbo or 1-2 year old M3 etc but i've never really withheld any info about a car when asked by a buyer. 1) they could arrange a viewing and just copy/photo the V5 number when you show it to them 2) they'll need the address to come and view! 3) see 1) you can only be so careful........the only thing I concentrate on is the actual money side ie I definite have the correct cleared unreturnable/unreversable money before the car goes...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 Well as there were a load of stolen V5 documents from the DVLA a few years back it is generally considered that giving out the V5 information along with the VIN and reg number is all that's required to clone a vehicle. When I buy or sell cars these days I meet at a location either mid-distance between both addresses or somewhere close by, but never at the home address. Just incase the potential buyer is some sort of scammer and takes note of all the car security and also the house security, then decides not to buy only to return at a later date to nick the car. We do live in times whereby scammers are everywhere. People seem to theive cars left right and centre without a second thought. Many of the performance cars are done by 'order' as we all know. My mate in the nearest town (Penrith) had his STi stolen when a group from Bradford followed him off the motorway all the way to his house. They must have watched and noted down the car secutiry and the house etc. They later broke in to the house and stole the keys. His car was found parked up in Bradford waiting to see if there was a hidden tracker. But yes, you can only be too careful. Not giving a potential buyer the information he wants could likely see him lose interest and move on to the next advert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaqTRD Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 When i buy a car, i always ask for the log book V5 number or the latest MOT number so that you can check the history from the MOT online site. A lot of people don't know this but with the registration number and the V5 number, you can go online and search for every MOT that a particular car has ever had to show its mileage is genuine. Its so detailed that it even tells you when and what the car failed MOT on. And best thing about it, is that its completely free: - http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp So in this case, asking for a V5 number is completely innocent. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopgunTT Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 When i buy a car, i always ask for the log book V5 number or the latest MOT number so that you can check the history from the MOT online site. A lot of people don't know this but with the registration number and the V5 number, you can go online and search for every MOT that a particular car has ever had to show its mileage is genuine. Its so detailed that it even tells you when and what the car failed MOT on. And best thing about it, is that its completely free: - http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp So in this case, asking for a V5 number is completely innocent. Hope this helps Thats a great link, Nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogmaw Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 the only thing I concentrate on is the actual money side ie I definite have the correct cleared unreturnable/unreversable money before the car goes...... As most people don't like carrying £££ cash around what would you say the best form of payment would be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I'm trying to think of all my old Supra sales/purchases.......i've had over £10K in cash for one before and then the latest the Bulgarian guy bank transferred the money to me in advance of pickup. In my experience the buyer would rather have the small risk of the cash on him than do a transfer before getting the car, cash one way keys the other has been preferable to most I think, no one likes walking around with loads of cash on them but in my experience i've not found it be enough to stop sales. I've had bankers drafts accepted by sellers before though not sure i'd take one these days as i've heard a few reversal stories......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.