When buying a 2nd hand car, how do you know who is the legal owner?

lissa_23

If you buy a second hand car, how do you check that the person selling it to you is the legal owner? If the log book only tells you who is the registered keeper of the vehicle, how do you know they have the right to sell it? And where would you stand if you bought a car from a registered keeper and then a person purporting to be the legal owner turns up saying it's their car and the registered keeper had no right to sell it?

[Deleted User]

If it's from a private seller you don't. You pay your money and take your chances.

forgotmyname

Other than buying from the registered keepers address and doing a proper HPI not a cheap text check. There is always a risk from private sellers.

Especially now as some logbook loans do not show up on the HPI report.

Wont be the first time someone has been burgled and them selling the car before the owners return.

Its rare and most transactions go without issue, but they do happen.

stator

Check the photo ID of the person selling the car, make sure it matches the name and address on the V5. It doesn't prove he's the owner but if you take a photo of his ID and the V5 together you can prove who sold it to you and if he's not the owner he will have comitted a crime and you can prove that you acted in good faith.

forgotmyname

Except not everyone has photo ID. Although if you give me 20 minutes notice i could create one. Head of MI5 security badge? Head Corgi groomer to the Queen?

Dr._Shoe

1. Never meet someone somewhere to buy a car, always go to their home.
2. Have a quick look around the neighbourhood to see if there are a higher than normal proportion of cars for sale.
3. Make sure the person selling the car does indeed live at the premises shown on the V5.
4. Get them to show you round the car thoroughly. You would expect them to know how to open the fuel filler cap etc.
5. Ask for a bill of sale. Get them to write out: Sold care reg no. XXXX to YYYY on DATE for £ZZZ. But follow them into the house. You'd expect them to know where they keep pens and paper.
6. Photo ID is a good idea as well.

Even if you do all these there is still no guarantee it's legit but you have a good chance of knowing if it isn't before parting with any cash.