safe to buy used car from unregistered owner?

dada44

Looking to buy a used car. Everything seems in order. Seller claims to have all previous MOT documents, spare keys etc. Only thing is, seller is not registered owner or keeper of vehicle. Claims he is selling on family friend's behalf, who live in the midlands. We're South of England.

Is this standard practise?

Kilty_2

I'd be wary.

I have bought a car in this circumstance before although the owner is deceased so it's obviously different - the "family friend" bit rings massive alarm bells for me.

sheslookinhot

I wouldn't. There are plenty more cars

Inactive

Doorstep dealer by the sound of things, avoid.

ailuro2

Don't touch it with someone else's bargepole, it really reeks!!

harveybobbles

192 the "family frined" and have a chat with them about said car. Probably find they binned it in px to a dealer...

CHR15

Assuming it's not genuine (safe assumption)

Best case it sounds like it came cheap from an Auction....

Worse case, finance owing on it and trying to offload quickly, maybe even damage repaired (get shot quickly before it is registered on HPI)


Anything seems suspicious, Walk away

iolanthe07

I would walk away from this one. There are lots of good deals out there without taking the risk.

kaya

if buying privately you need to go to the address shown on the log book to view/buy the car, no log book-no sale
i would also ask to see photo id from the seller that matched the log book name and address if i was in any doubt
even logbooks can be dodgy http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8487381.stm

maninthestreet

Why can't the 'family friend' sell the car themselves?? As others have said, it doesn't feel right, walk away.

Takoda

Don't do it. If the car ends up being one which was stolen you'll lose it and your money.