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
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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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