Going to look at a car at the weekend. It’s an old Audi RS4, with great history and all the big jobs done.

Phoned the seller and he seemed genuine enough. He told me fairly quickly on the phone that he deals 5-6 cars a year as a hobby. This car wasn’t intended to be one of these as he sourced it 4-5 weeks ago for a friend who due to sudden major health issues can no longer take the car. So it’s now up for sale.

Trouble is, he’s not registered the car to himself (because his friend would have done this) so it’s still registered to the previous owner.

Normally I’d run a mile in this situation, however I’ve thoroughly quizzed the guy and he sounds genuine (although I’ll judge that for sure when I meet him and see the car).

The big question is how do I prove that the car is his to sell if it’s not his name on the V5? Would a HPI check reveal this?

Even if genuine sounds like the seller is being lazy / shifty

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_175090.pdf

Hmm seller not the registered keeper, be wary of that. Anyway of getting in meeting with the registered keeper and getting some proof of their ID would be the first thing I’d want to do.
Im a little worried about the “sudden major health issues”, sounds like someones got cold feet after finding something wrong with the car…

Heart says get it if its the V8 one though!

Seriously though? I’d walk away if it doesnt add up.

Trouble is, he’s not registered the car to himself (because his friend would have done this) so it’s still registered to the previous owner.

This bit doesn’t make sense to me. When the previous owner sold the car to the guy they have to transfer it to someone. Paperwork may still be working through the DVLA but it shouldn’t still be registered with the unknown 3rd party. If he is a dealer then the previous owner sends off to say that it’s with a dealer. Simples.

Sounds too fishy for me, especially with a car like that.

This used to be the method to ‘trade’ without the hassle of trading (i.e registering as a trader, paying trade rate for adverts etc, providing warranties, dealing with HMRC etc).

Even though it could be genuine, I would walk away unless you can trace the owner listed on the original paperwork and have a chat with him/her and everything else stacks up perfectly

PS – The method is to tell the person you are buying from that a previous car sale became painful because the seller did not send off their bit of the form for ages. You were then unable to tax it etc. You then politely ask them to sign their bit and let you have it so you can send it all off at the same time. If they agree you then have all the paperwork you need to sell it on without your name/details ever appearing on the cars records. That said I thought the changes in SORN etc had closed this loop hole

I’ve done it, but called the previous keeper myself to verify the story.

Ask him/her to verify mileage etc as well if you need to.

But I also walked away from a good car recently when I realised the guy was a trader pretending it was his wife’s car.

I wouldn’t have minded if he hadn’t lied.

ive done it

but only with a friend. he wasnt a car trader but sometimes gets left cars in lieu of payment.

in my case the previous owner had died and his wife left the car in leiu of payment for work done on it.

no issues.

would i do it with a stranger – would i **** .

It’s the B5 RS4 (6 cylinder).

The car should be free from any mechanical issues as it’s been fully serviced and checked out by a highly reputed RS specialist (3 weeks ago). I’ve phoned the said specialist and they have confirmed the cars recent condition and the work it’s had done. As far as they were concerned the car was A1.

The guy was quite open about the fact he was a part time trader so I don’t think he’s trying to hide anything? Also it’s not some back street deal – it’s being sold from his family address, an impressive country house where he owns around 4 Classic Porches.

The question is that how can I prove that it’s the guys to sell? How can I prove that he is entitled to sell it?

Often done to avoid adding another previous owner to the cars log book.

They do say never to look at a car away from the registered keepers address though.

Don’t be blinkeed by a good deal, if you’ve got your doubts walk away.

Certainly run a check to see if its registered as stolen. Also check the vin numbers match the V5. If that’s clear I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

impressive country house where he owns around 4 Classic Porches.

Wow, I haven’t even got one porch on my house.

Did you miss the bit where I suggested calling the registered keeper?

Name + address + directory enquiries.

impressive country house where he owns around 4 Classic Porches.

Wow, I haven’t even got one porch on my house.

Did you miss the bit where I suggested calling the registered keeper?

Name + address + directory enquiries.

Great idea, will see if I can find out who it is.

Residence in an

impressive country house

didn’t stop Lord Brocket from a fraud conviction relating to classic cars. Spell in an impressive Government-owned house of correction was the result, IIRC.

impressive country house where he owns around 4 Classic Porches.

owns the porch but not the house?

It’s a tricky one. I own a car where I’m not the Registered Keeper; being the registered keeper doesn’t prove ownership although it’s generally accepted as such.

You only seem to have one concern and that is if he can legally sell it. The only way you’ll know this is if he can come up with a foolproof receipt of purchase [easily forged] or if you can confirm it with the name on the Registration Doc.. If the seller is legit, then I’m sure he’d have no problem in passing this information on to you so that you can confirm the deal is all above board with the named registered keeper.

impressive country house where he owns around 4 Classic Porches.

owns the porch but not the house?

Porsche 🙂

owns a car, but not the house?

well known scam, car advertised, you turn up at sellers house, check the car over, hand over the cash and drive away. later you try contacting owner, no reply to phone, so you go back to house where someone completely different answers the door and tells you he’s just back from holiday.

a porsche in the posh porch proves nothing

How generous is his discount for not having the correct paperwork? 25%?