What am I missing? Buying a car already imported from UK

velo.2010

Hi there.

Looking at a car that was bought in the UK 2 years or so ago. NCT, insured but tax lapsed in June because owner is selling, according to him.

He has receipt of purchase but No log book/registration certificate - he says he has asked for one to be issued - should be in the post to him.

Why is he only getting round to getting the certificate of registration now? VRT avoidance? I did see the/a disc in the window.

What am I missing?
Cheers.

Hitman3000

velo.2010 wrote:

What am I missing? Cheers.

Is the car on Irish plates?

velo.2010

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Is the car on Irish plates?

Yes it has an Irish reg.

The physical plates on the car are not quite the regulation norm, but have passed the NCT he said. Not sure if that has any bearing.

Atlantic Dawn

Once he taxed the car here after he got the VRT paid he would be issued the VLC.

I would proceed with caution, car could be stolen.

ironclaw

velo.2010 wrote: »

Yes it has an Irish reg.

The physical plates on the car are not quite the regulation norm, but have passed the NCT he said. Not sure if that has any bearing.

Spend the few euro to do a car check on MotorCheck or similar. It will quickly tell you the history for the car. However, be sure to cross check it with the physical car e.g. Match the VIN, check the NCT certs line up, if there are old stamps or tax discs in the book, make sure it all squared away.

I'd be 99% it's above board, but if someone had a massive VRT or motor tax back payment due, it's not that expensive to get some plates made to match the car.

In short, I'd do you own checks but also insist on seeing legit docs.

Hitman3000

Just picked up that the car has an NCT. Have you seen the NCT cert as you need the log book to have it tested?
Actually it sounds a bit suss , walk away. Out of curiosity what type of car is it, have you a link to an ad?

Atlantic Dawn

You would need to view the logbook to see that there's no restriction on it, if seller imported the car and got VRT exemption as a result of them being UK resident they won't be able to sell it for a year unless they pay the VRT that would be due.

velo.2010

Update! I've just seen a new VRC (Vehicle Registration Certificate) for the car on Motortax.ie dated for 27/07/2018.

There was nothing of note when I initially checked it after seeing the car up for sale a few days ago. No change of ownership in the last 3 months.

Not sure what to make of this?

Hitman3000

velo.2010 wrote:

There was nothing of note when I initially checked it after seeing the car up for sale. No change of ownership in the last 3 months.

Walk away.

velo.2010

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Walk away.

I will yes. Anyone care to explain what he may have been up to (in theory of course)?

Hitman3000

velo.2010 wrote:

I will yes. Anyone care to explain what he may have been up to (in theory of course)?

Could be just avoiding back tax.

RustyNut

velo.2010 wrote: »

I will yes. Anyone care to explain what he may have been up to (in theory of course)?

Would he have lost the one he got when it was first registered and need a duplicate or is he saying that he never had one?

velo.2010

RustyNut wrote: »

Would he have lost the one he got when it was first registered and need a duplicate or is he saying that he never had one?

I think the line was he never got around to it.

The car was nearby and I rang on the off chance I could get out to view it straight away. I did and that's when I learned of it being a UK import and then asked about the reg cert.

velo.2010

Further update.

Its now up for sale under a different name. I think its the father this time. The old advert (with son's name)is still there.

I'd say the father bought the car, whatever documents are in his name and he lets the son drive it for work etc. The father has run any fiddle on it but has initially let the son try and sell on the car and to claim ignorance about certs to any gullible buyer.

Now that I've asked questions, the father got the VRC and will try and sell it now himself.

Does that make any sense?

colm_mcm

velo.2010 wrote: »

Does that make any sense?

None at all!

bazz26

Want to post a link to the advert?

velo.2010

I don't think that would be appropriate at this stage!

bazz26

No bother.