Dealership not transferring V5C to myself (pre-reg car)

stevenhp1987

Hi,

had a search on Google and could only find one old post on MSE regarding this subject (with little information on it)... Couldn't find any other information online regarding this subject!

I bought a pre-reg car just over 6 weeks ago and as my V5C had not arrived, I rang the DVLA to confirm where it was etc.

I was told the vehicle is registered to the dealership (as a Demo car).

They claim they cannot transfer ownership of the car to me for "92 days". They never informed me of this before the purchase, although they are now claiming they did.

It sounds dodgy to me, and the only piece of information on this 3 month rule I could find was it could be due to them, essentially, scamming the manufacturer in order to pay Demo car rates for the vehicle and they are artificially delaying the sale in order to keep those low rates.

Has anyone else been in this situation? I will pressure the dealership into transferring the registered keeper to myself, but as it stands it's taxed (in their name), registered to them, but insured by myself in my name.

I do not feel comfortable having the V5C in someone else's name while I own the vehicle.

neilmcl

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Hi,

had a search on Google and could only find one old post on MSE regarding this subject (with little information on it)... Couldn't find any other information online regarding this subject!

I bought a pre-reg car just over 6 weeks ago and as my V5C had not arrived, I rang the DVLA to confirm where it was etc.

I was told the vehicle is registered to the dealership (as a Demo car).

They claim they cannot transfer ownership of the car to me for "92 days". They never informed me of this before the purchase, although they are now claiming they did.

It sounds dodgy to me, and the only piece of information on this 3 month rule I could find was it could be due to them, essentially, scamming the manufacturer in order to pay Demo car rates for the vehicle and they are artificially delaying the sale in order to keep those low rates.

Has anyone else been in this situation? I will pressure the dealership into transferring the registered keeper to myself, but as it stands it's taxed (in their name), registered to them, but insured by myself in my name.

I do not feel comfortable having the V5C in someone else's name while I own the vehicle.

This is exactly what they're doing, not all will do this but there are some that do. TBH, I don't think there's much you can do unless you can prove they didn't explain this to you, although you might let the dealer know you'll be contacting the manufacturer's customer services to clarification. Also you will need to let your insurer know you're not the registered keeper.

davidwood681

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

Hi,

had a search on Google and could only find one old post on MSE regarding this subject (with little information on it)... Couldn't find any other information online regarding this subject!

I bought a pre-reg car just over 6 weeks ago and as my V5C had not arrived, I rang the DVLA to confirm where it was etc.

I was told the vehicle is registered to the dealership (as a Demo car).

They claim they cannot transfer ownership of the car to me for "92 days". They never informed me of this before the purchase, although they are now claiming they did.

It sounds dodgy to me, and the only piece of information on this 3 month rule I could find was it could be due to them, essentially, scamming the manufacturer in order to pay Demo car rates for the vehicle and they are artificially delaying the sale in order to keep those low rates.

Has anyone else been in this situation? I will pressure the dealership into transferring the registered keeper to myself, but as it stands it's taxed (in their name), registered to them, but insured by myself in my name.

I do not feel comfortable having the V5C in someone else's name while I own the vehicle.

The V5 isn't proof of ownership so forget about that

Nodding_Donkey

If they didn't tell you grass them up to the manufacturer.

stevenhp1987

The dealer have come back saying the 3 months have actually passed (registered late September) so they will now be transferring it into my name.

However, I'm expecting they will artificially claim an incorrect ownership date... would this have any negative effect? I'm guessing if I get into an accident it could because I told (as I rightly believed) my insurance company I was the registered keep from the date of purchase (rather than fake date), any payout could be affected?

I've sent a query on the Honda website mentioning the dealership, the registration number and the fact they refusing to put it into my name and see what they'll do!

loskie

This is an illegal but common practice.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38231138


You will have answered YES to are you the registered keeper and is the car kept at that address with your insurer.
Chances are you will be OK but there's always a risk.

angrycrow

You will need to keep a close eye on the ved status of the car. When the dealer send the v5 off to dvla to change the keeper the current ved will be cancelled. At best it will cost you a month's ved but you could get fined for driving without ved if you are not aware.

AdrianC

You call it "scamming" the manufacturer, but it's how you get a reduced price for a pre-reg car. The manufacturer are basically subsidising your purchase.