Have i been conned? Can i drive it? - Bought used car

Bradust

I bought a car from a used car dealer a few weeks ago, it's vat qualifying. 

They said the car didn't have a log book but all checks are fine.
I ran my own checks- not stolen, scrapped, no loans etc. Just a plate change a while ago from a custom to a normal one.

It has a fresh road tax and they said they would apply for a log book on my behalf with all my details by post. Saying they bought it at auction and didnt get a log book so couldnt give me a green slip. (They didnt want to add themselves on and add an owner).

So, can i drive it, insure it? Does this make sense? Do they even own it?

Herzlos

Don't buy it without a log book, it'll save you a lot of hassle.

If you/they apply for a new one, DVLA will write to the old keeper to confirm and then only send it to you after 2 weeks if they don't object. If it's at auction then it may have been a repossession and the previous keeper may not be very cooperative.

Car_54

OP, if you haven't taxed it and insured it, you can't drive it, or even keep it on the road.

Any 'fresh road tax' must be in the previous keeper's name, and will be cancelled as soon as the change is registered.

WellKnownSid

We've done this - can be a cheap way to buy a car because as soon as the V5 arrives at the dealer it's no-longer a 'no V5' car and they will up the price by £500 

The dealer will take your details including bank account / sort code and simply apply for tax using the V62.  It's all quite legal...