Dealership selling car on behalf of private individual - do I need to see proof?

CryptKeeper

CryptKeeper

CryptKeeper

Soldato
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19 Oct 2002
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I found a car on Autotrader that looks great for what I'm after (low mileage 2nd hand car with adaptive cruise control - ended up going for a Golf thanks to recommendations on here on OcUK). The dealer has loads of amazing ratings and seem legit.

Their story is that they are selling the car on behalf of a loyal customer of theirs who isn't able to drive anymore. I think the person was getting on a bit.

I'm going to test drive it this weekend. Just wanted to know if I need to do anything special or see any paperwork in this scenario? I read somewhere that you should have proof that the seller has the right to sell the car? What does this mean in practice in my situation?
 
Apart from the dealership giving the current owners details to you to phone and talk to them, how else would one check the garage has permission to sell it?

I know you could check the car isn't under finance or hasn't been stolen etc, but neither confirm the garage has permission to sell.

A bit of paper from the owner saying "i authorise dealership A to sell my car, signed current owner" wouldn't really be worth much either.
 
Is this a way for them to shirk their responsibility when it comes to issues?

Not dealer stock thus not under dealership protection?
 
I've used my local dealer to sell on my behalf before, given them all the paperwork, receipts etc and they've rung me once it's sold.
 
Diagro said:
Is this a way for them to shirk their responsibility when it comes to issues?

Not dealer stock thus not under dealership protection?
Click to expand...

I asked them on the phone if I was technically buying the car from them or from the individual. They confirmed it would be from them. I have a scanned invoice from them for the payment I'll make on Saturday when I go to pick it up, assuming test drive etc is ok. So I feel confident that they aren't shirking their responsibilities.

Semple said:
Apart from the dealership giving the current owners details to you to phone and talk to them, how else would one check the garage has permission to sell it?

I know you could check the car isn't under finance or hasn't been stolen etc, but neither confirm the garage has permission to sell.

A bit of paper from the owner saying "i authorise dealership A to sell my car, signed current owner" wouldn't really be worth much either.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is basically my question. What do I need to get from them? Some kind of documentation would be good I think.

I ran an online check of the car, got the VIN etc. It's all fine, no finance or anything.
 
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How does it work then? Presume you are paying more for the car as its in a dealership, but do you still have rights if something goes wrong?
 
It’s called SOR and completely normal on high end cars. Actually most of the stock owned by the dealers selling high end cars is generally SOR and not owned by them.

I have sold many cars this way. I’m generally the charge me 3 to 5k.

The risk is on the sellers part not the buyer because if they sell the car and don’t pay up they become a credited to the seller And you could be at the end of a very long list trying to get your money back from the dealer. My friend lost 6 figures this way.
 
Dunno what the difference is but doesn't seem unusual - among other examples prior to moving my brother looked at a van for sale at an established dealer who said they were selling it on behalf of long term customer.
 
You still have all your usual rights, regardless of what the dealer may try to say. Even if the car isn't theirs, the invoice will be and therefore you've covered.
 
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