Hi,
I posted already this topic "Buying an MR 2: how to look the car over ?" ( l viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28832 (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28832) l )
I saw a car on auto trader and come from Belgium to see it on Saturday 27th March. I don't really trust the seller:
The woman didn't give her adress, wants only cash money and will pick me up at the station. I heard about cons like that where people attack you and steal your money...
Have any idea how to avoid this ?
Thanks
Dont meet her at the station
I would only buy from the address on the log book,avoid I would say.
If it were me,I would always try and buy from someone like a trusted member on here ( I don't mean the join up and put an ad up the next moment sort of people!), at least you know the person has been around on here, you might get to confirm the car's history and you could always ask other members what they know of the car in some cases.
A couple of SMT's on sale on here which would probably be a better bet. Don't part with any cash 'til you've checked all the paperwork, have got the keys and are ready to drive away. It could just be that the seller is worried that you come from a foreign country (when is this island ever going to wake up and really be part of the EU?) and so is asking for cash. I'm not sure but better if you could pay by a more secure method so there is a record of any transaction. Bottom line, buy from someone on here.
If I were to sell my car I would ask for cash but do the hand over of cash and paperwork in my bank then I know the cash is not counterfeit and its a nice safe environment to conclude the deal.
If you're doing something like this then at least go with someone else, the other person carries the money while you meet the person seperately, after you've seen the car and paperwork and want to buy then get in touch with the second person.
They can give you the reference number from the regsitration document or the latest mot certificate number, this with the registered number plate on the car can be matched with the mot history on m http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ ... equest.jsp (http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp) m this will also give mot history of the car which so useful too.
The seller may not want to give exact address until the day before as some people get the details then try to nick the car maybe with force. You have to sympathise with the seller too.
Do an HPi check, best to do it through autotrader in my opinion. I did one with one of these text car checks and when it came back with a problem they were not help at all. Autotrader got to the bottom of it, couldn't give exact details but they did clarify the situation. Ended up being a cat c but not recorded on the registration document. They got a chasis check done, all ok but then upped the price by £500 s:shock: :shock: s:shock: to cover the cost, not lowering the price because it was a recorded cat c.
If they don't give their address and phone number, registration document ref number and last mot certificate number, confirm the registration number of the car and willing to conclude the deal at the registered address of the car then there seems to be a problem, if in doubt, leave it out.
I reckon they are probably worried your a scam artist if your foreign and vice versa for you. Do you have the autotrader link? I can ring up for you and say ill possibly go view the car.
Quote from: "Ilogik"I reckon they are probably worried your a scam artist if your foreign and vice versa for you. Do you have the autotrader link? I can ring up for you and say ill possibly go view the car.
Then change my mind.
Quote from: "Ilogik"I reckon they are probably worried your a scam artist if your foreign and vice versa for you. Do you have the autotrader link? I can ring up for you and say ill possibly go view the car.
Hi, Yes it's a good idea if you can check it there
m http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201009353762037/sort/priceasc/usedcars/transmission/semi-automatic/model/mr2/make/toyota/postcode/w1k3dj/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p) m
This the link (toy MR2 / semi-auto / grey one at 6,200). Her name is Victoria Jones, she lives in Stevenage 28 miles from London city. I told her before that someone could possibly come and see the car (previous topic see here my first message) but actually I didn't get any volunteer.
I intend to go next Saturday (27 th) with cash but not on me an ask for a meeting not in the station. I asked a copy of the original papers by fax (not home so I couldn't check them yet and then I can do a research)
ETienne
She sound very genuine, spoke to her on the phone, she did mention you were thinking of heading over next weekend. I said id ring her then if she still had it. Got her post code. She mentioned as its under warranty she doesn't have all paper work from toyota for various pieces they done under warranty though. Hpi clear.
Hopefully that has been of some help to you bud.
not sure if she is just being helpful or friendly but she seems eager to sell the car, after i spoke to her i got two messages saying she would meet me if i wanted to see the car as she was closer to me.
I could be way, way out of order here but that ad has a dealer feel to it. Quite prepared to retract that statement.
Quote from: "Ilogik"not sure if she is just being helpful or friendly but she seems eager to sell the car, after i spoke to her i got two messages saying she would meet me if i wanted to see the car as she was closer to me.
how close are you to her?
seems odd if she's offering to meet you rather than first asking if you want to go for a look
especially if you have her postcode anyway
Quote from: "dbrown"Quote from: "Ilogik"not sure if she is just being helpful or friendly but she seems eager to sell the car, after i spoke to her i got two messages saying she would meet me if i wanted to see the car as she was closer to me.
how close are you to her?
seems odd if she's offering to meet you rather than first asking if you want to go for a look
especially if you have her postcode anyway
she is 2 1/2 hours away, she said she was passing down to Milton Keynes if i wanted to meet there. No thanks lol. She was happy for me to go to her house next week though so maybe she is being helfup.
If the deal is done on the address on the V5 then I guess there is no problem.
yeah sounds ligit at that sort of distance
i'd never carry that much cash alone and meet a stranger who knows i have it anyway
Quote from: "Ilogik"She sound very genuine, spoke to her on the phone, she did mention you were thinking of heading over next weekend. I said id ring her then if she still had it. Got her post code. She mentioned as its under warranty she doesn't have all paper work from toyota for various pieces they done under warranty though. Hpi clear.
Hopefully that has been of some help to you bud.
Thank you, I'm a bit more confident about her now. Strange though that she says she doesn't have the documents about 'repaired under warranty'...She said the gearbox has been replaced last year under warranty, she must have a document to prove that no ?
Can you tell me what papers do I need to check there and to get to buy this car ?
You need the V5 the complete booklet. Read this
m http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Bu ... DG_4022582 (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_4022582) m
(http://www.cars4scrap.co.uk/Images/V5.jpg) (https://www.hpicheck.com/consumer/static/landing/images/v5c2004_large.jpg)
(http://www.plates4less.co.uk/images/public/forms/large/v5c/v5c.jpg)
Not sure how it works when you take it back to belgium or who she writes too.
You must have the V5 which is the vehicle registration document and you should be doing the deal with the person named and at the address on the form and at some point, inside the house. Check that the details on the form match those on the car, ie the number plate is the same as the one on the car. (You could also check the vehicle identification number which is on a plate under the front hood at the back on the left hand side). If the car is over three years old then you need the MOT test certificate and this must be in date (in the UK) and again the details must match those on the car. The tax disc should be on the windscreen and in date. The service history book should be present and stamped. There should be something to say that the gearbox was replaced, if you are worried, the Toyota dealer who did it should have a record so you could ring them.
When you test drive the SMT, there are two ways to operate the gearbox, either using the two sets of buttons on the stearing wheel or the gear lever, just make sure that they all work (this shouldn't be a problem because it is basically a reliable box). Make sure that all of the lights go out on the dials on the dash (they all come on when you turn the key).
Quote from: "mrzwei"You must have the V5 which is the vehicle registration document and you should be doing the deal with the person named and at the address on the form and at some point, inside the house. Check that the details on the form match those on the car, ie the number plate is the same as the one on the car. (You could also check the vehicle identification number which is on a plate under the front hood at the back on the left hand side). If the car is over three years old then you need the MOT test certificate and this must be in date (in the UK) and again the details must match those on the car. The tax disc should be on the windscreen and in date. The service history book should be present and stamped. There should be something to say that the gearbox was replaced, if you are worried, the Toyota dealer who did it should have a record so you could ring them.
When you test drive the SMT, there are two ways to operate the gearbox, either using the two sets of buttons on the stearing wheel or the gear lever, just make sure that they all work (this shouldn't be a problem because it is basically a reliable box). Make sure that all of the lights go out on the dials on the dash (they all come on when you turn the key).
THANKS ! You help me a lot with that. I'll ask her to ask her insurance to provide me 'transit plates' for +- 15 days. I'm not sure of the translation, it's specially made to come back here with provisional (temporary) plates and should not cost more than 50 pounds. I don't know any insurance office there so I hope she can do that for me with her insurance company...
Forgot to mention that she will need to keep most of the V5 registration form and should only hand you a small part of it, this is because she needs to de-register it in her name, section 11 'Notification of permanent export' is the one I think needs to be completed.
Ooops s:oops: :oops: s:oops: false post and don't know how to delete it.
Quote from: "mrzwei"Ooops s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
I'm reading the webiste given by 'Ilogik'. The say the 'purple section' section of this document must be filled for 'permanent export'. If you have ane idea or tip to get a transit plate...I'm looking on the web but not easy to find...
Can you not do it through your insurance company in Belgium, you would need insurance to drive it back anyways, so would make sense to get insured there and they might be the best ones to advise you as it says from reading that you can't drive it on UK roads?
Quote from: "Ilogik"Can you not do it through your insurance company in Belgium, you would need insurance to drive it back anyways, so would make sense to get insured there and they might be the best ones to advise you as it says from reading that you can't drive it on UK roads?
Apparently they can't...I can use plates from another here in Belgium but to travel from UK I need transit plates and they couldn't help me to get these plates.
Try phoning the DVLA (the vehicle licencing authority here, they sort the V5's and import / export etc.) +44 300 790 6802 tomorrow and see what they say. They will either be helpful or they won't.
9
or just buy mine lol s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
i'm selling up s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:
etienne...must be a daft question because no one else on here asked it but....why dont you buy a mr2 in your country ?
it,ll save different plates and sterling and also you,ll get a left hand version s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:
They don't make them in Belgium as far as im aware.
oh cheers ilogik. mind you they must sell them france which i would have thought would be better than to get one here and then have the expense of converting it to a left hooker or living with it as a right hand drive in europe s:? :? s:?
Quote from: "phillywilly69"etienne...must be a daft question because no one else on here asked it but....why dont you buy a mr2 in your country ?
it,ll save different plates and sterling and also you,ll get a left hand version s:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: s:crazyeyes:
Good question indeed ! Because in UK it costs a lot less then in Belgium, first of all, and the choice is here very limited : no post 2003 with SMT gearbox. A few in Germany but even more expensive ! So I chose to buy in UK and will try to drive on the right...
Just a last ditch thought but you could buy temporary insurance here and drive it over on the UK plates and then import it (I think you have a year, or that's the case here). You would need to register it at a UK address and fill in I think section 10 of the V5, so you need a relative or friend over here. Also, be prepared to be pulled over at Dover or wherever driving a UK registered car with a Belgium passport (not illegal of course, I used to drive a German registered car back to the UK regularly with a UK passport, but did get pulled over on occasion). PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT YOUR END BEFORE YOU ARE TEMPTED TO TRY IT.
Quote from: "mrzwei"Just a last ditch thought but you could buy temporary insurance here and drive it over on the UK plates and then import it (I think you have a year, or that's the case here). You would need to register it at a UK address and fill in I think section 10 of the V5, so you need a relative or friend over here. Also, be prepared to be pulled over at Dover or wherever driving a UK registered car with a Belgium passport (not illegal of course, I used to drive a German registered car back to the UK regularly with a UK passport, but did get pulled over on occasion). PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT YOUR END BEFORE YOU ARE TEMPTED TO TRY IT.
Thanks for the tip. I asked eurotunnel about my case and I expect an answer.
So did you buy it mate?
Quote from: "Ilogik"So did you buy it mate?
No...Not yet. I'm going there on Saturday morning. Still have to resolve some problems:
she said she sent a copy of the V5 by fax but I didn't receive it...and she doesn't want to resend it because it's 5 £ from a public library...
she mentioned she can't find the second key anymore
Good news: with the number plate I checked at the DVLA and the car seems to be OK (taxed, registered...) if it's that car of course.
I asked at least for the chassis number to check with the importer here in Belgium if it's a Japan import or a UK version. For a Japan version I'd have to pay a lot more...But I'm still waiting
So this is not finished...I hope I come back on Saturday with the car or the money...
Big Thanks for the help
Im sure you will be ok mate. If she on the net tell her to take a digital photo of it and email it you.
Quote from: "Ilogik"Im sure you will be ok mate. If she on the net tell her to take a digital photo of it and email it you.
It's done ! I've been there and collected the car, it wasn't a con...
The car is at home now, superb ! The only problem I got only the part 10 of the V5, She told me she couldn't give it to me. As a result she sent it back to DVLA and now I'm waiting for this original document to take the road.
Well, it was difficult but big thanks to all the members who helped through it !
Excellent news - and thanks for letting us know how it ended. Enjoy!
Bit late now I know, but perhaps for the future:
The MR2 Mk III was sold in Belgium (I've got one), but they are rarer than the UK and much more expensive. I've only seen two others in the last 20 months or so. I have seen a newer SMT one for sale on autoscount24.be but it isn't there now.
I've driven UK cars with a Belgian license and visa versa without problem going across the channel (even a French car on a UK license!). I've been stopped twice that I can think of over the last 15 years. Once in a Belgian hire van, the security guy asked me to open the bonnet. When I couldn't immediately find the release he asked me if the car was mine, despite the words "hire van" being written, three foot high, in English down the side of the van! Another time I was in a two seater soft top with the Mrs and the roof down. The English passport guy asked me if there was anyone else in the car. Where he thought they'd be, I've no idea :-) :-) :-)
Anyway, back to the main topic: While I can see that with the pound in the toilet a UK car makes financial sense I wouldn't do it. Why? Well I found it a pain in the back-side to drive a UK spec car round Brussels. You get stuck trying to pull round a lorry making deliveries, for example and you'll see what I mean. For a short time I put up with it and it's alright on the motorways or in the country but I found city driving an irritation. Secondly, it's also a pain to sell. You'll probably find it hard to sell in Belgium and also in the UK.
Just my opinion as regards buying a UK car, I hope to here from Etienne that he's not found these problems and is enjoying his car. I'd be interested to know how he solved the insurance problems and how he coped with importing it as some of the documents we have in Belgium just don't exist in the UK (conformance to Original Manufacturers Specifications, for example).
Also worth noting if you're from Belgium:
1. In the UK the number plate is generally tied to the car and not the person like it is here.
2. Insurance is generally for you on that car, unlike here where in general anyone can drive my car on my insurance.
3. Car modifications are a lot less restricted in terms of the Control Technique (MOT) in the UK. So if you buy a UK car you might find it's been modified and the seller hasn't got all the certificates you'd need in Belgium. In fact I've seen cars in the UK that have been modified and the current owner isn't even aware of it.
4. See the earlier, very helpful post, about the V5 document which is more or less equivalent to the pink slip you get here in Belgium.
5. Don't forget to get the drivers to sign your Belgium insurance certificate if your driving on that in the UK. The UK seems to be the only country in Europe where that's necessary.
Quote from: "mrzwei"A couple of SMT's on sale on here which would probably be a better bet. Don't part with any cash 'til you've checked all the paperwork, have got the keys and are ready to drive away. It could just be that the seller is worried that you come from a foreign country (when is this island ever going to wake up and really be part of the EU?) and so is asking for cash. I'm not sure but better if you could pay by a more secure method so there is a record of any transaction. Bottom line, buy from someone on here.
This ain't Europe mate, that's miles away over the sea s:D :D s:D
So I guess you will clearly vote UKIP then s:D :D s:D
And by the way, well done Etienne (sorry if I spelt that wrong)
Buying a car privately could save you money - but it's riskier than buying from a car dealer. You will not have as much legal protection, and it may be more difficult to make sure that everything is above board. You can find out more at w www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/cars (http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/cars) w
Buying privately should be cheaper than buying from a dealer. It is also riskier as the car may be stolen, or it may have been used as security for a loan or hire agreement and actually belong to a finance company. It's always a good idea to complete a vehicle history check on a car as this might show any outstanding finance or insurance claims made on the vehicle in the past and whether it is recorded as stolen. A number of commercial companies offer vehicle history checks for a fee.
You have fewer legal rights if you buy privately. For example, there is no legal requirement for the car to be of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. However, the following rights do apply:
the seller must have the right to sell the car,
the car must be as described and must be roadworthy so if a private seller misleads you about the condition of a car, you can sue for your losses - that is if you can find the private seller after the sale.
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibit car dealers from pretending to be a private seller. However, some do so to avoid their legal obligations and to dispose of faulty or over-priced cars.
Warning signs to look out for include:
adverts which give a mobile phone number or specify a time to call (it may be a public phone box, not the seller's home).
cars advertised for sale in car parks, roadsides or other public spaces as well as in local newspapers and shop windows, and the same phone number appears in several adverts.
when you phone about the car, the seller asks "Which one?"
the seller wants to bring the car to you or meet you somewhere, rather than you going to the seller's home.
when you get to the sellers home and there seem to be a lot of cars for sale on the street
the seller's name does not appear on the logbook as the last registered keeper
If the private seller is really a dealer, then your full legal rights apply.
Well than you for that but you are a little out of date!
Unless you are just a spam bot and then you will get banned forthwith.