Selling a car...don't know how to do it....

big_white_dog84

big_white_dog84

big_white_dog84

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Joined
8 Jan 2004
Posts
1,188
I'm in the process of selling my car through the bay. I've got interest, bidders etc but it's getting to that stage where I'll need to do the handover, and I'm not really sure how it works.

Eg..

1. Buyer turns up a doorstep
2. Buyer hands me cash
.
.
.
.
n. Buyer drives off in car
.
.
.

I'm not sure what happens between 2 and 'n', or after 'n'. In particular, what happens with transfer of tax, ensuring buyer has insurance before driving off, making sure that if he runs a red light after 10 miles the points go to him and not to me etc...

Any help would be much appreciated.

Also, what's the legal and moral position if the car breaks down soon after the sale. I've told the buyers everything that is wrong with the car, but there's always the chance that the exhaust will fall off as he drives out my driveway.
 
Get the buyer to fill in their details on the new keeper section on the V5. You both sign it and YOU keep most of the V5 and send it to the DVLA. Tear off the little slip at the bottom and give it to the buyer as it serves as a temporary V5 while they wait for the new one for taxing etc. You don't need to transfer ownership of the tax.

It is also advisable to get the buyer to sign and date something saying when they took ownership in case they incur any fines or points between the date of sale and when the new log book is issued.

Oh and count the money twice!

Insurance wise once they have paid you for the car it's not your problem, but if they want a test drive first then it's advisable to ask to see proof if insurance and ideally hold the cash as a deposit. They are unlikely to be covered fully comp until they own it.

If the car is as described then it's not your problem if it breaks. If something catastrophic happens on their journey home then it's down to you whether you feel obliged to help out.

Let them inspect the car before the deal is done and ensure you've been honest about its condition and you should be fine.
 
Last edited:
big_white_dog84 said:
Thanks very much - so the V5 is the key document by the sounds of it. Am I under any obligation to check that he has valid insurance before he drives off?
Click to expand...

Yeah the V5 is key.

No, once it's his car, it's his responsibility. Up to you if you want to check he's insured, but you're not obliged to.
 
Check out whether the notes are genuine too.

Check out the .pdf's at the bottom of this link for details. It also depends masively on the value of the car. Do you want to handle £20k of cash? Probably not. If it's a few £k then so be it. Don't agree to meet somewhere and if possible, have a mate or two with you or hanging around if there is a lot of money concerned.
 
Everyone is clueless about selling cars.

Was helping a mate buy a car, the dealer just handed us the entire V5c with Mrs Somethingorother written on it. Neeeeeer!
 
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