Buying a car from independant seller on eBay

SG_crazy · 20 April 2009 at 5:14PM

Hi,

I've done related searches in google and this forum and can't find the exact answer.

I haven't driven for a few years (since being a named drive on a policy) and have decided a car would make life easier at times. I've seen a couple from independent sellers on ebay. paperwork is present, the HPI reports are clear, the buyer answers questions promptly and there are plenty of pictures. So on the surface everything is good!

However, if i were to purchase, how would I go about ensuring I become the registered keeper of the vehicle. Since I don't own insurance I'm intending on buying the car and then ringing the insurance company 5 mins later asking them to proceed with my quote for it to commence immediately.. therefore being able to drive home. However they want to know who is the registered keeper and thats where I become stuck since I'm assuming it won't be myself 5 mins after I've parted with my cash.

Any help greatly appreciated!
Regards

Bowling_4_Gold · 20 April 2009 at 5:21PM

If it's got tax, you could just get a friend who is fully comp to frive it home for you, if the seller (registerd keeper) agrees. Your friend will be insured and it won't cost any extra... You could then just sort out your own insurance at a later date once youre the registered keeper.

cyril82 · 20 April 2009 at 5:25PM

firstly make sure you have viewed the car, checked the docs and the vin numbers and done your own hpi check.

Then use a comparison site to find the best insurance deal, when getting the quote name yourself as registered keeper as you will be when you take insurance.

Then on the morning you go to pick up the car ring the insurance and take out the policy to start immidiately, then go and get the car, once you fill out the log book to register the change of keeper you will be the official owner and keeper, you will get a part of the log book from the current owner to prove this while you await the issue of a new logbook but you will now be legal owner and fully insured to drive the vehicle home.

sunnysea83 · 20 April 2009 at 7:53PM

I agree with what cyril82 has said in all of their post.

ive checked this point myself by ann insurance broker and been told that once you pay for the car and have signed the V5 in the eyes of the insurer you legally own the car, you will also be given the small green bit of the V5 to prove so, sure you will be fine to insure and say that you own the car because you do.

I have sold and purchased cars on eBay before and all have been okay that ive bought, one was not as good as stated but didnt cost me much to sort out.

SG_crazy · 20 April 2009 at 11:13PM

Thats most helpful

Many thanks for all your input!!
Regards

lf846 · 22 April 2009 at 6:04AM

I recently bought a car on ebay and again had no problems with insurance. As soon as you fill in the green form the car is registered in your name.
Also if at all possible consider paying by paypal, you are then covered by the same buyer protection as credit card transactions. So if the car is not 'as described' in the listing you have some chance of recovering you money,

Hintza · 22 April 2009 at 7:07AM

lf846 wrote: »

Also if at all possible consider paying by paypal, you are then covered by the same buyer protection as credit card transactions. So if the car is not 'as described' in the listing you have some chance of recovering you money,

Cars bought privately are bought as seen so this is not true. It would be up to the buyer to throughly check the car before parting with the cash. Any seller would be a fool to allow a PayPal payment anyway.