Untaxed for a period of time, would you be concerned?

Signpost

A friend is looking at buying a 03 Renault Laguna. He ran a cartell check but the only thing that looks unusual is this:

TAX EXPIRY DATES

30-Apr-2011 31-Jan-2009 31-Jul-2008 30-Apr-2006

The vehicle was not taxed for a period. A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2006-04-30 and 2008-07-31 A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2009-01-31 and 2011-04-30 Gaps in taxation may indicate the vehicle was off the road for an extended period. We recommend you clarify the reason with the vendor

Dates of Sale: 16-Apr-2010 18-Jun-2007 8-May-2003

Would you be concerned about the car being idle for these periods of time? Its a 1.6 petrol one, 86k miles

sdanseo

The owner could have just not bothered paying the tax and got it declared off the road.
There could have been something wrong with the car that made it undrieveble for the periods concerned.
The owner may not have been able to afford to run the car and it may have been idle for the periods concerned (15 months is a long time for a car not to be driven).
The owner may have lived somewhere else and the car may have been left idle for the periods.

I'd be quite wary of it, yes. But it's up to you to ask the seller why the gaps are there and satisfy yourself (or not, as the case may be). I;d definately have a mechanic give it the once over.

Also, you could do a lot better than a 2003 Laguna. Have a look at Pasaats/Mondeos/Octavias/Vectras/Avensis

Signpost

His first time on the road (even though he has a full license) and budget on car of about 2k 2500 max and insurance on a 1.6 is costing him 1500 not to mind looking at 1.8 mondeo's etc.... Its just passed the NCT last week but still a bit so so about it when she was parked for so long.

faw1tytowers

I recently bought a renault and wish I had known this before I bought... would of been useful but they are giving free 25 point checks at the mo. Is there a renault garage near that could squeeze ya in?

Signpost

In Cork City so ya, but are they giving it even on a private sale??

x in the city

Signpost wrote: »

A friend is looking at buying a 03 Renault Laguna. He ran a cartell check but the only thing that looks unusual is this:

TAX EXPIRY DATES

30-Apr-2011 31-Jan-2009 31-Jul-2008 30-Apr-2006

The vehicle was not taxed for a period. A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2006-04-30 and 2008-07-31 A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2009-01-31 and 2011-04-30 Gaps in taxation may indicate the vehicle was off the road for an extended period. We recommend you clarify the reason with the vendor

Dates of Sale: 16-Apr-2010 18-Jun-2007 8-May-2003

Would you be concerned about buying a 2003 laguna the car being idle for these periods of time? Its a 1.6 petrol one, 86k miles

YES...!

Galway K9

no as its not your concern what previous owner did. advantage of tax ha

mickob16

Stay away from it-why take the risk??

Its not like there is a shortage of cars for that budget.

CiniO

Signpost wrote: »

A friend is looking at buying a 03 Renault Laguna. He ran a cartell check but the only thing that looks unusual is this:

TAX EXPIRY DATES

30-Apr-2011 31-Jan-2009 31-Jul-2008 30-Apr-2006

The vehicle was not taxed for a period. A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2006-04-30 and 2008-07-31 A gap in taxation of at least 1 years, 3 months, was found in between 2009-01-31 and 2011-04-30 Gaps in taxation may indicate the vehicle was off the road for an extended period. We recommend you clarify the reason with the vendor

Dates of Sale: 16-Apr-2010 18-Jun-2007 8-May-2003

Would you be concerned about the car being idle for these periods of time? Its a 1.6 petrol one, 86k miles

I'd say most likely the owner was just avoiding to pay motor tax.
I wouldn't be converned about it.
The technical condition would be much more important for me, that whether the tax was paid or not.