Selling a car - log book

GrammarGirl

I'm feeling a bit nervous about the sale of my car, which took place on Saturday.

Basically, the clutch had gone, the tax was due to run out, I had a new car and my old one was sitting outside a friend's house. I wanted rid of it asap, but couldn't drive it. I rang my breakdown assistance and they said they could tow me to the nearest scrapyard, which I was fine with. The guy turned up and was really lovely, trying to find the nearest scrapyard for me and generally being very helpful. When we realised the nearest scrapyard was quite a way away, he said he'd take the car off my hands for £30. It was more than I expected to get for it and as he explained he was a hobby mechanic and wanted to see if he could get it fixed, I thought 'why not!'.

He explained that he wasn't sure what he would do with it, but would look at it properly and see if it was worth fixing or if he should scrap it. He explained to scrap it, he'd need the full log book. I completed my sections but couldn't take the little slip I'm supposed to keep as he said the scrapyard would only accept a full log book.

He said if he decided to fix it, he'd tax it at the end of the month and send off the logbook to transfer ownership then.

He paid me by cheque and I have his name and address as well as his bank details. He was a representative of HSBC breakdown assistance and seemed genuine and nice, but I have no idea if what he was telling me was right.

What do you guys think? Does this all sound ok to you, or are the alarm bells ringing?

Cheers.

Bowdyjan18

You should have done a change of ownership.

End of

or gone to the scrap yard with him.

mcjordi

get him to fill in the log book and you send it away, he can still scrap it iirc with the new keeper bit of the log book

but as the old saying goes "trust no one"

GrammarGirl

Bowdyjan18 wrote: »

You should have done a change of ownership.

End of

or gone to the scrap yard with him.

But I didn't. My own stupid fault maybe, but there we go.

molerat

You are still the registered keeper. You are still held responsible for the vehicle. If he keeps it but does not notify SORN or tax it when the tax runs out you will get the fine.

lisyloo

I completed my sections but couldn't take the little slip I'm supposed to keep as he said the scrapyard would only accept a full log book.

I had my car scrapped recently and I keep part of it, so this wasn't right.
But anyhow you sold it not scrapped it.

Did you get a receipt?

If not then I'd call your breakdown assistance company.
He is probably not meant to buy customers cars from them, so what he has done is wrong.

Try to get it sorted out ASAP because you are currently liable for any speeding fines etc.

GrammarGirl

lisyloo wrote: »

I had my car scrapped recently and I keep part of it, so this wasn't right.
But anyhow you sold it not scrapped it.

Did you get a receipt?

If not then I'd call your breakdown assistance company.
He is probably not meant to buy customers cars from them, so what he has done is wrong.

Try to get it sorted out ASAP because you are currently liable for any speeding fines etc.

Thank you. I've had so many problems with the car and was so stressed out about it I really just wanted him to take it. I am now extremely worried. He did make a joke about running up speeding fines - argh!

I didn't get a receipt but I have his name and address and bank details from the cheque, which gives me some security. I also have his mobile number as he rang me from it before coming to tow the car away.

I will ring the breakdown assistance and see what they say. Thanks for your help.

mchale

As you say he was a lovely bloke, why not ring him first and ask him to return the part of the log book you require, as if you ring the breakdown company you may well drop him in it, if he doesnt return the paperwork, then ring the BD company and drop him in it.

GrammarGirl

mchale wrote: »

As you say he was a lovely bloke, why not ring him first and ask him to return the part of the log book you require, as if you ring the breakdown company you may well drop him in it, if he doesnt return the paperwork, then ring the BD company and drop him in it.

Thanks mchale, I've sent him a quick text as I'm at work at the moment, will ring him if I haven't heard back by the end of the day.

Thanks for all your replies.

Premier_2

I suspect the 'really lovely guy' took the vehicle direct to the scrapyard on the works vehicle and pocketed the £100+ profit - that's probably why he wanted the entire log book (as he suggested)

There are numerous car breakers around here who'll pay up to £150 for scrap cars, including non-runners, mot failures, etc, and they even come & collect it for that price. Our council say they've hardly needed to collect an abandoned car for months now. There's good money in breaking old cars up for spares.

GrammarGirl

Premier wrote: »

I suspect the 'really lovely guy' took the vehicle direct to the scrapyard on the works vehicle and pocketed the £100+ profit.

There are numerous car breakers around here who'll pay up to £150 for scrap cars, including non-runners, mot failures, etc, and they even come & collect it for that price. Our council say they've hardly needed to collect an abandoned car for months now. There's good money in breaking old cars up for spares.

Yes, I suspect he probably did that too. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the time, I was alone, the car wouldn't start, I had no idea where the nearest scrapyard was and I put my trust in the lovely breakdown assistance man. I've learnt my lesson I guess, I would say 'I'll know for next time' but I really hope I don't have to deal with such an issue ever again!