Buying an M3 without a V5C - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Dannyrado · 06-12-2012, 05:08 AM

Hi guys,

I won't lie, i've fallen in love with an E46 M3, deposit paid.

It's a REALLY tidy car, I'm all booked to travel down and collect it this week, and the seller now can't find the V5. It'll cost £££s to change the travel arrangements now.

Thing is i do trust him, he owns a business which is online, and can be fully checked out, he has a detailed thread on a number of websites going back two years showing what he's done to the car and when, his business even sponsors some of the forums.

I've bought a £300 polo without a V5 before, but not thousands of pounds worth of M3, from the other side of the country.

What would you do??

Hotcoupe · 06-12-2012, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dannyrado

What would you do??

Go with my gut feeling,which based on your post is what you're favouring

phil200tdi · 06-12-2012, 06:20 AM

Can't you just call the DVLA and ask for the details of the present owner?

You can apply for a replacement, if its genuine you lose nothing.

Mart1000 · 06-12-2012, 06:47 AM

Right...
Calling the DVLA will do next to nothing on its own. If it's been rung then it will have a new identification anyway, even if it's just on the VRM. Anyone can get a plate made up from a legit car...

My answer to your question is no i'm afraid, not just on a whim. You might trust this guy but you don't know him. He might not even be the guy he says he is...It's a big trust mate.

If your serious about it your gonna have to get amongst the car and be prepared to ask questions and make phone calls. Taje a mate with you to keep you level headed.

Check the STAMPED in VIN, also the visible VIN. Check tax disc, they are often forged too.

Finally, check the VIN from the OBC. Its almost impossible to reprogramme an ecu with a different VIN, so if the stamped in VIN is different than what is on the OBC, walk away.

Then after that, check with DVLA/HPI etc to finalise and get piece of mind, but make sure the address adds up.

DONT BUY ON TRUST ALONE!!!

dxb335d · 06-12-2012, 06:56 AM

I don't get how people who look after there cars lose such stuff. I've never lost a log book ever (touchwood).

When you viewed it, did you not ask to see it then to tally up vin numbers?

Congrats on getting an M3. Cracking car.. Love mine!

creepy coupe · 06-12-2012, 07:09 AM

Ask to see a invoice from when he paid for it.Ask to see any recent invoiced for work/parts he might of had done.

SCN_Saul · 06-12-2012, 07:11 AM

dont hand over the money, you've given him a deposit and tell him you will wait for the V5, unless he is absolutely desperate, its not an unreasonable request

£300 in travel versus possible £10k down the swanny?

its your choice, but i wouldnt

rich1068 · 06-12-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCN_Saul

£300 in travel versus possible £10k down the swanny?

Sound advice.

davyk31 · 06-12-2012, 07:42 AM

Agreed, ask the seller to apply for the replacement cert, wait a week or two and then collect the car. It will be much easier for him as the registered keeper to get the replacement than for you to apply as a new owner.

TJDiCandido · 06-12-2012, 08:39 AM

I'd never purchase a car without the seller providing me with documented proof of ownership. Additionally, a prudent seller would never put a car up for sale before having all the required paperwork in order either.

Dannyrado · 06-12-2012, 08:44 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, turns out the previous owner had not sent the V5 new keeper bit off, when this guy bought the car.

The previous owner has now sent the full V5 to the current owner, with the new keeper signiture signed and ready to fill in my name.

I'm guessing we're good to go, i'll be checking everything over and over.

Thanks to all that posted, particularily Mart1000. Any idea on how to get the OBC to show the VIN then??

mowflow · 06-12-2012, 09:01 AM

Trust no one.

Stringbag · 06-12-2012, 09:29 AM

How did he get a tax disc without being the registered owner?

rich1068 · 06-12-2012, 09:39 AM

And he's had it two years???

Dannyrado · 06-12-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

And he's had it two years???

Na, that was a figment of my imagination, his threads go back to Sept 11, when he bought it, and he taxed it in January with the new keeper suppliment.

Not inconceivable i suppose.

Vaheed1 · 06-12-2012, 10:07 AM

Tell him to call the DVLA today and pay £20 - he'll have a new one by the weekend.

The_Bear_Yid · 06-12-2012, 12:49 PM

Why is he selling after 9 months?

Or more importantly, why has he accepted not having a V5 for so long?!

I would've given it a month tops before looking in to where it was. You sound like you're letting your heart and convenience rule you head. For me it would be a no no. I would've checked the V5 the first time I viewed it. You're effectively handing over the cash without proof that the guy owns it unless I'm missing something. There was a thread in here the other day about someone buying a car with finance owed on it and that was a mess.

I'm sure he seems nice and genuine, I'm sure most con men are. I'm not saying he is but what I am saying is caveat emptor.

06-12-2012, 05:08 AM	#1
Dannyrado First Lieutenant Drives: 335d m sport coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: N Wales Posts: 372 iTrader: (0)	Buying an M3 without a V5C Hi guys, I won't lie, i've fallen in love with an E46 M3, deposit paid. It's a REALLY tidy car, I'm all booked to travel down and collect it this week, and the seller now can't find the V5. It'll cost £££s to change the travel arrangements now. Thing is i do trust him, he owns a business which is online, and can be fully checked out, he has a detailed thread on a number of websites going back two years showing what he's done to the car and when, his business even sponsors some of the forums. I've bought a £300 polo without a V5 before, but not thousands of pounds worth of M3, from the other side of the country. What would you do?? __________________ E46 M3 SMG titanium silver, with grey leather. 335d now gone. 2010 Golf estate bluemotion, spec'd up and not nearly as bad as it sounds. & 2011 Citroen C4 e-hdi airdream, Missus's car.
	Tweet

06-12-2012, 06:20 AM	#3
phil200tdi Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335i M Sport E90 LCI manual Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 1,745 iTrader: (0)	Can't you just call the DVLA and ask for the details of the present owner? You can apply for a replacement, if its genuine you lose nothing. __________________ 2008 E90 335i LCI M Sport / Manual / Black / Red Leather / Avon ZZ3 / VMR710 Mods: JB4 / BMS DCI /AR Design DPs / ETS FMIC / Water Meth Injection / BMS Chargepipe / BMS OCC / Cool Carbon Brake Pads / Rob Beck PCV Valve / Forge Diverter Valves Wish List: LSD / Bastuck Quads / Birds Suspension / M3 Arms

06-12-2012, 06:56 AM	#5
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist Drives: E46 M3 Tiag/Imola Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' Posts: 28,958 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 [3.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [2.75]	I don't get how people who look after there cars lose such stuff. I've never lost a log book ever (touchwood). When you viewed it, did you not ask to see it then to tally up vin numbers? Congrats on getting an M3. Cracking car.. Love mine! __________________

06-12-2012, 07:11 AM	#7
SCN_Saul http://www.seatcupra.net Drives: E91 335i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 146 iTrader: (0)	dont hand over the money, you've given him a deposit and tell him you will wait for the V5, unless he is absolutely desperate, its not an unreasonable request £300 in travel versus possible £10k down the swanny? its your choice, but i wouldnt __________________ saul@seatcupra.net http://www.seatcupra.net http://www.seatcupra.net/forums E91 335i M Sport

06-12-2012, 08:39 AM	#10
TJDiCandido Outlaw 06 Drives: E46 M3 / E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CCCP (Connecticut Soviet Socialist Republic) Posts: 946 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 M3 Coupe [4.50] 2007 E90 335i [4.00]	I'd never purchase a car without the seller providing me with documented proof of ownership. Additionally, a prudent seller would never put a car up for sale before having all the required paperwork in order either. __________________ Current vehicles: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, 6MT, ZSP 2004 BMW M3 Coupe, 6MT

06-12-2012, 06:47 AM	#4
Mart1000 Capt Slow Drives: Leon FR Supercopa Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Suffolk Posts: 1,076 iTrader: (1)	Right... Calling the DVLA will do next to nothing on its own. If it's been rung then it will have a new identification anyway, even if it's just on the VRM. Anyone can get a plate made up from a legit car... My answer to your question is no i'm afraid, not just on a whim. You might trust this guy but you don't know him. He might not even be the guy he says he is...It's a big trust mate. If your serious about it your gonna have to get amongst the car and be prepared to ask questions and make phone calls. Taje a mate with you to keep you level headed. Check the STAMPED in VIN, also the visible VIN. Check tax disc, they are often forged too. Finally, check the VIN from the OBC. Its almost impossible to reprogramme an ecu with a different VIN, so if the stamped in VIN is different than what is on the OBC, walk away. Then after that, check with DVLA/HPI etc to finalise and get piece of mind, but make sure the address adds up. DONT BUY ON TRUST ALONE!!!

06-12-2012, 07:09 AM	#6
creepy coupe Major General Drives: 635d Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 7,570 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 335i [0.00]	Ask to see a invoice from when he paid for it.Ask to see any recent invoiced for work/parts he might of had done.

06-12-2012, 07:42 AM	#9
davyk31 Brigadier General Drives: BMW 335d SE Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,238 iTrader: (0)	Agreed, ask the seller to apply for the replacement cert, wait a week or two and then collect the car. It will be much easier for him as the registered keeper to get the replacement than for you to apply as a new owner.

06-12-2012, 08:44 AM	#11
Dannyrado First Lieutenant Drives: 335d m sport coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: N Wales Posts: 372 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the advice guys, turns out the previous owner had not sent the V5 new keeper bit off, when this guy bought the car. The previous owner has now sent the full V5 to the current owner, with the new keeper signiture signed and ready to fill in my name. I'm guessing we're good to go, i'll be checking everything over and over. Thanks to all that posted, particularily Mart1000. Any idea on how to get the OBC to show the VIN then?? __________________ E46 M3 SMG titanium silver, with grey leather. 335d now gone. 2010 Golf estate bluemotion, spec'd up and not nearly as bad as it sounds. & 2011 Citroen C4 e-hdi airdream, Missus's car.

06-12-2012, 09:01 AM	#12
mowflow Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F20 125d Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,882 iTrader: (2)	Trust no one.

06-12-2012, 09:29 AM	#13
Stringbag Private First Class Drives: 335d touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: uk - Bath Posts: 123 iTrader: (0)	How did he get a tax disc without being the registered owner?

06-12-2012, 09:39 AM	#14
rich1068 Colonel Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Posts: 2,790 iTrader: (0)	And he's had it two years???

06-12-2012, 10:07 AM	#16
Vaheed1 Captain Drives: E90 330d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 917 iTrader: (0)	Tell him to call the DVLA today and pay £20 - he'll have a new one by the weekend.

06-12-2012, 12:49 PM	#17
The_Bear_Yid BM Noob Drives: E92 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 747 iTrader: (0)	Why is he selling after 9 months? Or more importantly, why has he accepted not having a V5 for so long?! I would've given it a month tops before looking in to where it was. You sound like you're letting your heart and convenience rule you head. For me it would be a no no. I would've checked the V5 the first time I viewed it. You're effectively handing over the cash without proof that the guy owns it unless I'm missing something. There was a thread in here the other day about someone buying a car with finance owed on it and that was a mess. I'm sure he seems nice and genuine, I'm sure most con men are. I'm not saying he is but what I am saying is caveat emptor.

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