Way of checking previous owners?

[Maxeh]

Hi chaps,

A friend of mine is looking to get a new car over the weekend.

He has found one he likes and the garage tell him that there has been 3 previous owners. He has done a HPi check and it comes up as 5.

Is there any way of checking the previous owners and would a garage or dealership count as being an owner?

Thanks.

 

[Dup]

Ask to see the V5, make sure it's all properly watermarked, hologramed or embossed (dunno what they do these days, just hold it to the light) and it should say the official number of keepers on there.

That does mean having to question the dealer and if it is 5, it could be an oppertunity to knock some £££ off.

 

[[TW]Fox]

You've already checked the previous owners - there are 5 previous, which doesnt include the 'current', so you will be the 7th owner. The garage is lying to you. Motor traders do not count as owners unless they register the car in their own name, which unless it is a demonstrator or something, they would not do.

 

[kefkef]

Make sure you check the V5 also to ensure it isn't one of the nicked ones. From the DVLA website (only say this as my mate is in the process of going through a cloned car farce with a Freelander he purchased from a 4x4 dealer, buying a car from a dealer/garage doesn't mean it hasn't been cloned):

Check the registration certificate and satisfy yourself that it is real. By holding it up to the light you can see the DVLA watermark in it. You can also phone DVLA on 0300 790 6104 to check the registration certificate is real before you buy.

Be on the lookout for stolen registration certificates. DVLA has provided a range of serial numbers of known stolen registration certificates. If you find one that is in the range of BG8229501 to BG9999030 or BI2305501 to BI2800000 do not proceed with the sale and contact the police.

 

[Maxeh]

Cheers for the advice guys. After speaking to the dealer it seems hes a bit of a wideboy lol so he has walked away.