scott k

Ive got a bit of a dilema - Im supposed to be collecting my new Subaru tomorrow and I have a concern - Can you help?
The guy whose house I went to is not the registered keeper. He wants me to make the cheque out to him not the registered owner!! He says he is a friend and he is selling it on his behalf. I havnt seen or spoke to the owner and to be quite honest Im a bit dubious! Ive HPI the car and its clean so what do I do? Do I trust the guy and assume its all ok or not? Personally I want to make the payment out to the registered owner but this guy has told me he's away!!
Any advice guys.....

CLS

I think you already know the answer to that one Scott

If its legitimate the seller won't have any problems proving it....wouldn't touch it with a barge pole under the circumstances you've outlined...sorry.

Hope this helps I'm sure there will be more advice for you!

spudgun

scott
i can only speak for myself, but don't do it. dont assume anything ( to assume makes an as of u and me and all that)
it could be innocent, it could be a scam. wait till u speak to the registered owner, or walk away.
this is only what i would do, i 'm no expert.
how does all this stand legally if your buying a car from a guy who doesnt own it, friend or not?
does this mean i could steal a car tommorrow, say i'm a friend of the seller, yet this is legal??
this sounds iffy

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

Can you contact the 'away' seller?
Can the friend prove his id and link to his address?
Does he have all the keys and alarm fobs?
Is all the paperwork straight?
Can you go to the sellers address on the log book and talk to the neighbours?
When will the seller return?

It sound like a lot of hassle, try to wait for the sellers return.

F

ptholt

I would go with what floyd says, its always a good idea to try and get hold of the former owners as you can also ask them about things like the service history when they had it, mileage when it left them etc.

I would wait until the owner had returned or you could speak to them.

R19KET

If you buy the car, and the owner then denies any knowledge of the sale, you would then be in receipt of stolen goods, and the Police would take the car back on behalf of the owner. You would lose your money.

Also, make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN, that if you are put in touch with the "OWNER", he is. It would be very easy to be given a tel.no. to call, and someone say "yes my mate can sell the car, give him the money" !!!!

It may be totally legit, but.......

If the guys away, get him to fax a letter of authority, to both you, and his friend, and also a copy of both his driving licence, and passport details, with photo.

If you have ANY doubt, either wait until he returns, or go for one of the many other cars on the market. Is the car particually cheap ???

Mark,

Bagpuss

Isn't the person on the registration document the 'registered keeper' in the eyes of the law. I believe there is a definite legal distinction between 'keeper' and 'owner'.

Even so, if you believe that they are one in the same person (which is what it sounds like), then don't touch this car with a ten foot pole.

We hear of so many scams these days that it's best to play it safe.

Andy.


[This message has been edited by Bagpuss (edited 10 July 2001).]