Guy wants to buy my car, but he lives in France.

MouthBoy · 16 Jan 2012 at 23:08

Hey All

My Accord Type R has been for sale for a few weeks and someone in France has shown some interest tonight. He says that he wants to come over from France on Sunday on the train to come and see it. He says he will buy for sure even before seeing it.

If he comes and looks at it and he wants to buy it, is it as simple as filling the V5 out and him giving me the cash? Never had someone buy from abroad before so a little worried. I dont want to really get involved in exporting of the car or whatever.

Thanks

beermonster · 16 Jan 2012 at 23:11

i sold my 200sx to a guy from portuga. just filled in the vehicle sold for export bit on the v5 and sent off as normal. job done.

jellybeard999 · 16 Jan 2012 at 23:33

Just make sure to go to the bank with him to deposit the cash, that way you know it's all above board and you have your money.

paradigm · 17 Jan 2012 at 08:03

It's quite common for the French to come over to buy Hondas, I guess it's pretty difficult to come by them on the continent, but it's certainly not the first time I've heard of it, so that part wouldn't worry me.

As said above, make sure the cash is deposited into your account (preferably as cash, as it would be incredibly difficult for any kind of reversal to be initiated), and fill in the export section of the V5C.

BigBruiserAl · 17 Jan 2012 at 08:05

Pretty normal had a dane come over and buy my R33 skyline for a fair wack, made sure the cash was in the bank before giving the keys and V5 job done

drunken fool · 17 Jan 2012 at 08:54

As well as the export section of the V5 there are also a couple of forms to fill in for the French authorities so don't be shocked if he asks you to sign something as well.

My uncle lives in France and recently bought an ST220 over here due to cheaper 2nd hand car prices and greater availability.

BombayMix · 17 Jan 2012 at 09:30

Isn't the right hand drive going to make life awkward for them? Surprised they want a Honda that much to put up with it.

paradigm · 17 Jan 2012 at 09:33

It's only an issue for overtaking on tight roads, or normal driving until you get used to it.

I have no problems driving on the continent when I drive over there, likewise the few people I know with American imports have little trouble over here.

loltim · 17 Jan 2012 at 10:15

French guy bought my brothers old Integra-R, no problems throughout the transaction

panthro · 17 Jan 2012 at 10:50

Its amazing how many cars are being exported from the UK to the EU/middle east/far east at the moment because of our low 2nd hand prices, good used car market and favourable exchange rate. I sold my 330Ci to an Irishman who paid cash and drove the car back across to Dublin. Very simple and straightforward.

mjt · 17 Jan 2012 at 18:52

If I can live with RHD and the associated drop it footwell space, my next car will be a RHD Z4M

paradigm said:
It's quite common for the French to come over to buy Hondas

I don't think I've ever seen a Type-R anything in Belgium.
There's about 3 for sale at any given time..

The high performance models just aren't popular over here. People seem to prefer German over Jap performance.
There are millions of diesel Japanese dross though

MouthBoy · 17 Jan 2012 at 19:07

I dont really understand whats going on now. He is asking me to pick him up from Bristol train station. He actually seems very genuine but I dont think his English is great. I have explained to him that getting a train to Weston would be better, but hes not really getting the hint I dont think. Also he is being very vague on how he is looking to pay for the car, I have no idea if hes going to buy for the advertised price or if he is looking to barter.

stulid · 17 Jan 2012 at 19:15

Tell him to come to Weston, sod going to Bristol.

MouthBoy · 17 Jan 2012 at 19:19

stulid said:
Tell him to come to Weston, sod going to Bristol.

Just did. He is coming alone which I thinks a brave thing to do but I dont think he understands the car isnt taxed so driving it back will be troublesome for him I expect. He also has dodged the question on how he is paying too.

m3ben · 17 Jan 2012 at 19:28

The euro rate vs the pound makes buying cars over here very attractive to people in europe. I sold a 2002 turbo to a chap that flew in from portugal then drove it back!!

mjt · 17 Jan 2012 at 19:47

m3ben said:
I sold a 2002 turbo

Why did you sell it?!
Also, need pics!

m3ben · 17 Jan 2012 at 20:08

mjt said:
Why did you sell it?!
Also, need pics!

This was back before they were big money. I bought it stupidly cheap from a bloke who was emigrating to New Zealand with the sole intention of tidying it up and flipping it for a profit (it cost me most of that years student loan IIRC, lol)

It had to go so I could buy an E30 M3

Pics.... not sure if i have any (this was about 10 years ago) but i will try and dig some out

MouthBoy · 22 Jan 2012 at 20:10

Well I had nothing to worry about. He picked up the car today, cash was fine and everything. He didnt barter with me either. Really nice guy actually, took him to the petrol station in it and sent him on his way. Thanks for all the advice here though.

Andybtsn · 22 Jan 2012 at 20:11

smeaney said:
Well I had nothing to worry about. He picked up the car today, cash was fine and everything. He didnt barter with me either. Really nice guy actually, took him to the petrol station in it and sent him on his way. Thanks for all the advice here though.

He'll be off to rob a bank with it.

Coppers will be knocking on your door any moment now

David _b · 22 Jan 2012 at 20:16

One of my easiest sales was to a chap from france that took a s14a that was well tuned off me, he came all way to northern ireland and paid in sterling the exact asking price. Just filled in the v5 section to say car has been exported.