Buyer wants to come from Spain to buy my car. Should I be concerned?

Mistral001

At least you will get the asking price.

George_Michael

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

I sold an MX5 limited edition to an ex pat who came over on holiday specifically to buy an MX5. Bank transfer absolutely no issues but if he'd been Spanish I might have been a bit wary.

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

Why? Are Spanish people more likely to commit fraud than us Britons?

As far as I'm aware, not more likely to commit fraud but if fraud did happen and it was committed by someone who was resident in the same country as you, had a bank account in the same country as you and the vehicle concerned stayed in the same country as it was sold in, getting the money back from the fraudster may well be far easier than getting it back from someone who had no address, no bank account or any other ties in the country.

brianposter

It is pretty normal for people in Spain to buy cars from outside the country, although Germany is the most usual source.
Play with this link and you can probably get an idea of Spanish prices.
https://www.coches.net/

Chomeur

As a follow up, this all worked out fine. Maybe I should have taken the car over to Spain to sell it myself though. The car would be of no use to me right now with the lockdown, and it won't meet emissions standards in 18 months, so I think it's definitely a good thing I got rid of it.

silverwhistle

Thanks for letting us know, we're a right suspicious lot! My experience of the prices in Italy a few years ago and the cost to do the voltura (change of ownership) made me think it could well be legitimate. It's why few people buy and sell older cars in Italy, they keep them going and then do a rottamazione - scrapping.

Exemplar

Chomeur said:

No he's not suggesting the agent. My garage is willing to do it, although I'm not sure how comfortable I am with them having to sit on all that cash for some time. I guess a friend would be better.

'All that cash' LOL a grand, sorry it made me chuckle. OP makes it sound like he's selling the family jewels. Get a grip.

Yes I know that £1000 is a huge sum to some, but it's still 'only' £1000 and 'my garage' LOLZ.

Supersonos

stator said:

then the money vanishes from your account and you're left in debt.

How can money vanish from your account unless you action the payment or it's a DD/SO?