Help please, no V5 for car purchase 8 December 2022 at 9:13PM in Motoring 23 replies 965 views

daddydodo

Hi, I've paid a £500 deposit for a 1 year old VW Polo , sold by a VW main dealer. I'm due to pick up the car tomorrow; today the dealer emailed me their bank account details for the final payment and also included in the email 'oh by the way we don't have the V5 from the previous owner but don't worry as we've sent off a V62 to get a replacement for you'. Obviously this is a little bit concerning to me. 

 I went to a main dealer to avoid hassle but this seems rather unusual. The last car I bought was 15 years ago so I don't have much experience.

I'm very confused..... Main dealer should be safe but what if the previous owner has taken a log book loan. Would a vehical history check show this?

On the phone they have offered an alternative car but they do not have anything suitable. I'm tempted to ask for my deposit back, what's the opinion on this? Or am I being overly cautious as after all it is a main dealer......

Thanks.

Grumpy_chap

Assuming you would still want the car if the V5 was present, would it be an option for you to wait and collect the car once the paperwork is available?  That could be an option to set your mind at rest.

MikeJXE

Normal I would guess, lots of cars are sold at auctions and the v5c is not always with the car, the dealer if genuine will get you one. 

daddydodo

Grumpy_chap said:

Assuming you would still want the car if the V5 was present, would it be an option for you to wait and collect the car once the paperwork is available?  That could be an option to set your mind at rest.

Thanks, it's possible but the V62 application can take between 6-8 weeks according to the garage which is rather too long for us. I've committed to sell my existing car next week !

MikeJXE

Selling your current car has nothing to do with your new car in respect of the V5c. 6-8 weeks is stretching it a bit, my v5c got lost in the post when I changed address and I applied for a new one and it took about a month. IMO you are safe with a main dealer it happens all the time

macman

Too late for you now, but never contract to buy without sight of the V5C, MOT and service history before you pay a deposit. If the dealer can't or won't produce them, walk.

diystarter7

Hi OP

It is pretty standard stuff not having the V5 on recently arrived used cars. It's no big deal

FYI: I'm not a car dealer etc but years of buying cars/property/million other things tell's me that
it is no big deal if buy from a major main dealer.

I've not bought a second-hand car for years but when I did in the past, I always paid that little extra to a main dealer 
for peace of mind. However, only you can decide (pay a deposit with a cc, cover up to 30k purchases I think, check if you wish)

daddydodo

macman said:

Too late for you now, but never contract to buy without sight of the V5C, MOT and service history before you pay a deposit. If the dealer can't or won't produce them, walk.

Thanks for your input that's very good advice and one I hope to remember next time I buy a car in 15 yrs time 😆. 

My question I suppose is would a logbook loan against the car show up on the finance checks run by the garage ?

Bigwheels1111

The only issue I see is Road tax.
Is it being taxed by the garage, if not you won’t have the green slip.
So will not be able to tax it.
My friend purchased a 4 month old motability car from the dealer, owner had passed away.
April last year. No log book as family could not find it.
Dealer taxed it as such, not needing to pay for road tax yet anyway.
V5 turned up 3 weeks later.

400ixl

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP

It is pretty standard stuff not having the V5 on recently arrived used cars. It's no big deal

FYI: I'm not a car dealer etc but years of buying cars/property/million other things tell's me that
it is no big deal if buy from a major main dealer.

I've not bought a second-hand car for years but when I did in the past, I always paid that little extra to a main dealer 
for peace of mind. However, only you can decide (pay a deposit with a cc, cover up to 30k purchases I think, check if you wish)

No it isn't, the vast majority have the V5 from the previous owner. As you say, you are not a car dealer and haven't bought a second-hand car for year. This is just another post for a posts sake from you.

Not having the V5 from a main dealer isn't necessarily a deal breaker though. I would want to know the history though. How did they buy it (was it traded in to them or bought for auction), what proof do they have they own it and finally what checks have they done to prove it has no outstanding finance, has not got any write off markers etc. Finally, what assurance are they putting in place should any issue occur with them being issues the V5.

If they can satisfy you with those answers and they will be taxing it for you then likely good to proceed.

Flight3287462

Is the car still taxed to the previous owner?  If so at least you won't be flagged for no VED.