Help with car registration

[Sonny1980]

Hi,

I recently moved to Scotland so I don't have totally clear how it works here all the registration process...

I found a C320 that I'm about to buy but I have a couple of doubts.
I can see online that it has a valid MOT but I would like to see the MOT history to confirm the mileage. The owner doesn't have the MOT certificate and he's saying he doesn't have the V5C either as it has been sent to the DVLA to remove and retain the personalised registration.

If I'm not wrong, I think I can get a copy of the MOT certificate at any MOT centre?

Also, if he doesn't have the V5C, can I just send the V62 myself?

Any advise on if I should buy the vehicle? The DVLA says that you shouldn’t buy a vehicle that doesn’t have a registration certificate (V5C).

Don't know what to do... I love the car and it looks great but really fear to be a victim of a swindle...

 

[KennyN]

Any advise on if I should buy the vehicle? The DVLA says that you shouldn’t buy a vehicle that doesn’t have a registration certificate (V5C).

Anyone that tries to sell a car without ANY documentation needs their head examined, why would a seller think people would be interested irrespective of price.

If they are genuine then he should have waited for the docs to come back from the DVLA before advertising the car.

WALK AWAY , no questions as there will be loads of other vehicles that have the relevant documentation for sale.

Do you have a link for the car ?

Kenny

 

[DSM10000]

To check the MOT history you do need the following information:https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history-vehicle

To get a copy you need this information:https://www.gov.uk/replacing-lost-damaged-mot-certificate

As has been said, walkaway unless the owner can produce the correct documents and you see the car at the address on the V5.

 

[Sonny1980]

Well, that's one of the things I don't understand... In my country, for whatever you need to do with a car, you would get a temporary document, that allows you to drive or sell the car or whatever you need. But something that proves you own that car.

Here, you send the V5C to remove a personalised registration and that's it? I don't have any other proof with you that you are the registered owner? Or am I missing something here?

 

[DSM10000]

Well, that's one of the things I don't understand... In my country, for whatever you need to do with a car, you would get a temporary document, that allows you to drive or sell the car or whatever you need. But something that proves you own that car.

Here, you send the V5C to remove a personalised registration and that's it? I don't have any other proof with you that you are the registered owner? Or am I missing something here?

You are missing something, the registered "keeper" as noted on the V5 may not be the owner, these can be two mutually exclusive entities.

A company could be the legal owner with a separately recorded registered keeper. The V5 is no proof of legal ownership.

 

[Branchman]

if you send in V5 to remove private reg the V5 (log Book) will come back with either the Vehicles original Number or one applied by D.V.L.A so until the current owner has that document how do they know which registration mark will be given to that vehicle. Further more since many V5 were stolen from D.V.L.A it is bad enough if you have a V5. so
WALK AWAY and find one you can be sure of and Don't lose/waste money

 

[automaniaman]

It might not be a ploy, I faced the same situation with my last purchase. However in that instance, the seller had photo copies the V5 & MOT and the vehicle service book to verify the history.

 

[JamesRan]

When I purchased my car, even though it was through a reputable dealer, I did my own research. I paid £5 (maybe slightly more) and got a full check including mileage verification. It may be worth doing this....Go onto Google and search 'car history check' and see what comes up. The search will tell you if it has ever been stole/written off, how many owners, the mileage history etc.. Good luck!

 

[DSM10000]

When I purchased my car, even though it was through a reputable dealer, I did my own research. I paid £5 (maybe slightly more) and got a full check including mileage verification. It may be worth doing this....Go onto Google and search 'car history check' and see what comes up. The search will tell you if it has ever been stole/written off, how many owners, the mileage history etc.. Good luck!

Good point but to do this thoroughly you do need the VIN number otherwise the check may not be complete.

 

[Spin_bowler]

You have to wonder why, with cameras available in everyone's pocket, the vendor wouldn't have even grabbed a quick snap of the V5 for reference given he was in the process of selling it. I take photos of any important docs I stick in the post.

He may be telling the truth but better to be safe than sorry.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

I think all of the above posts have valid points. There are thousands of cars out there with the relevant documents available.

 

[zipdip]

Even when he gets the V5 back with the new reg/old reg the amended MOT will take some days to arrive after the V5

 

[Ian_Mac]

Even when he gets the V5 back with the new reg/old reg the amended MOT will take some days to arrive after the V5

Just been through this process myself, the V5 turned up on Tue and the MOT this morning. All the MOT details are online anyway these days so I'd not be too concerned about that side of things.

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
I actually got the MOT back before the V5 when I put my plate on about 4-5 weeks ago.

 

[Sonny1980]

Hi,

thank you all for the replies.
I got a vehicle check from Autotrader and everything looks ok. The seller told me about a keeper change due to personal reasons and the date he mentioned match the report. If the vehicle was stolen or had any important issue I'm guessing it would be also on the DVLA website? According to this, TAX and MOT are ok too.

The only thing that would give me some doubts is the mileage. Last data on the report is from 2007 and was 25k miles in just 3 years. It could be for many reasons but the year average is much lower in the last 7 years compared to the first 3 years of the car.

On the other hand, I saw the car at the seller address. I guess it would be the most stupid con man ever to be doing this at his home address if he had anything to hide. But I guess you never know...

Taking in account all the above, what would you do?

I'm also wondering what happens when someone sends a V62 to the DVLA. I mean, if it's possible to do this without the V5C/2, how do they confirm I should be the keeper? They change the keeper of a vehicle just because someone requests so?

Sorry if I'm making some stupid questions but I'm not from the UK and even though the process here seems to be much easier than in my country it still a bit confusing for me...

 

[lisa110rry]

Sonny, I'm also an ex-pat and although I've lived in the UK now for 38 years, there are still some things I don't understand. There are no stupid questions.

I'm going to take a flyer here and suggest that for the first three years, the car was owned by someone who had it as a company car who did a lot of mileage. Then it was sold to someone else who drove less, hence the reduced average mileage.

 

[Sonny1980]

Thanks!

This is not the case. The car only had 1 keeper. And it has been recently transferred to a 2nd keeper because the 1st died recently.
Even though the lower average mileage in the last 7 years can be for several and explainable reasons (new job closer to home, start using it as a 2nd vehicle, etc) I want to the see the MOT history, to confirm the mileage.

 

[KennyN]

Is it this one, if it is then it looks like a nice car ?

Maybe someone here could look into the details a bit further for you.

Mercedes-Benz C Class 3.2 C320 SE 2dr

Kenny

 

[Sonny1980]

Kenny,

you're very good as a detective! lol
Yes, it is.

Indeed the car looks nice and drives really well. The seller seems to be honest but in these situations, you never know...

 

[JamesRan]

Looks lovely. Im not sure how much more advice can be given to you tbh. You have done your research, and you have met the seller and seen the car. You can only go on your gut feeling. Good luck!