Advice
on buying a vehicle
If
you are buying a vehicle privately and it is later identified as having been stolen
you may have no right to its ownership. You could lose both the vehicle and the
money you paid for it. The following points may help you avoid becoming a victim
of vehicle crime. Advertisements
and viewing - beware
of mobile phone numbers, they are virtually untraceable
- advertisements
specifying a time to call, could indicate a phone box - be suspicious
- arrange
to view the vehicle in daylight, preferably at the seller's home
- do
not agree to the seller bringing the vehicle to your home or to a public place
such as a motorway service station
- ensure
that the owner is familiar with the vehicle and its controls
Documentation - never
buy a vehicle without a registration document or certificate (referred to as 'registration
certificate') even if the seller says it has been sent to the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) for changes
- hold
the registration certificate up to the light - the DVLA watermark should be contained
within the layers of paper; reassure yourself that a fraudulent watermark has
not been merely printed on to the surface of the paper
- the
registration certificate is not a document of title, the person recorded may not
be the legal owner
- assure
yourself that the person selling the vehicle has the right to do so
Check
the vehicle identity - decide
what make and model you are interested in and find out where the vehicle's identification
number (VIN) should be
- check
that the 17 character VIN, matches the VIN on the registration certificate
- be
suspicious if the VIN shows signs of having been tampered with
- if
the VIN has been removed, ask why
- the
VIN should be stamped in an even way somewhere on the vehicle, often under the
bonnet or in the floor panel on the driver's side, check the surrounding area
for signs of any alteration
- a
'Q' registration number indicates that the age or identity of a vehicle is unknown.
The vehicle may be rebuilt from parts, some or all of which may not be new. This
also applies to vehicles imported without supporting evidence to identify the
vehicles age
- if
a registration mark or part VIN is etched on the windows ensure it matches the
registration certificate
| What
to look for on the vehicle - check
carefully underneath stickers, where fitted - they can be used to conceal etching
- does the
engine number match the registration certificate?
- has
the engine been interfered with, altered or changed?
- do
the locks differ? (Thieves often change locks they have damaged)
- are
there any signs of forced entry?
- has
the locking petrol cap been forced and replaced?
Get
the vehicle inspected by a professional - consider
taking an independent qualified examiner with you to see the vehicle
Check
it out
- consider checking
information about the vehicle through online and telephone services offered by
DVLA and private vehicle
check companies
and
finally - never
pay cash
- be
sure before you buy - if in doubt, walk away
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