Buying a 2nd hand car - advice required

the_tired_one

My sister is in the process of purchasing her 1st ever car (her ex-husband used to be very useful for these sort of matters in the past!)

She has seen a vehicle that is being sold in the UK privately on Gumtree as a EUROPEAN IMPORT.

Shes carried out an online DVLA check & this is the info given:-

Date of First Registration with DVLA:- 24 01 2013
Date of First Registration:- 25 10 2004
Year of Manufacture:- 2004

Is the Date of 1st registration with DVLA significant? It was just 3 months ago.

Also, on another site, which checks model details / HPI checks etc, it says:-

"We have information on our database regarding [Reg No. / Make & Model]. Check before you buy. Choose a check to proceed.

Whats the general feeling regarding European Import models? Too much hassel or can be a good buy?

the_tired_one

"QUICK SALE: We are selling this car as we are moving out of the UK."

john_white

It means it was only registered in the UK in January, I.e. UK plates.

When I imported cars from Japan I always had a certificate of deregistration from Japan. Not sure if it applies to EU imports.

I'd be wary, as 1, it's on gumtree, 2 import a used car, register it, then moving out of the UK. Could be nothing, but not worth it, unless it's something of a rare car.

Stooby2

I'd get a few quotes from the insurance comparison sites to see if it's worthwhile. Some imports can be pricey on the insurance as it can be difficult to source parts for them.

the_tired_one

john_white wrote: »

It means it was only registered in the UK in January, I.e. UK plates.

When I imported cars from Japan I always had a certificate of deregistration from Japan. Not sure if it applies to EU imports.

I'd be wary, as 1, it's on gumtree, 2 import a used car, register it, then moving out of the UK. Could be nothing, but not worth it, unless it's something of a rare car.

Not a rare car at all, its a Toyota, & to the eye, identical to what you can buy here, but its below average mileage & immaculate, hence the interest.

the_tired_one

Stooby2 wrote: »

I'd get a few quotes from the insurance comparison sites to see if it's worthwhile. Some imports can be pricey on the insurance as it can be difficult to source parts for them.

Thanks, Ive texted her your response, and she'll do that right away.

the_tired_one

The exact model not showing up on any of the insurance sites that she tried, best to avoid I think. Thanks