What Paperwork Comes With a Car Sale?
Car Paperwork
When buying a car check the paperwork carefully to avoid any nasty surprises. Paperwork associated with your car purchase includes:
.jpg)
Car ownership documentation V5C
Warranty paperwork (if car has warranty or you have bought a private one)
Examine the V5C registration document and check the registration date, number of owners and chassis.
Never buy a vehicle without a registration document or certificate (referred to as 'registration certificate') even if the seller says it has been sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for changes
Hold the registration certificate up to the light - the DVLA watermark should be contained within the layers of paper; reassure yourself that a fraudulent watermark has not been merely printed on to the surface of the paper
Check that the 17 character VIN, matches the VIN on the registration certificate. The VIN should be stamped in an even way somewhere on the vehicle, often under the bonnet or in the floor panel on the driver's side. Check the surrounding area for signs of any alteration.
Be suspicious if the VIN shows signs of having been tampered with. If the VIN has been removed, ask why.Check the engine number matches the registration certificate.
If a registration mark or part VIN is etched on the windows ensure it matches the registration certificate.
When you complete the sale, ensure that the new owner's section of the V5C is filled out correctly and that you take the relevant sections with you.
The DVLA website has detailed information about registration documents.
Check the expiry date on the MOT certificate. When buying from a dealer it should be up to date - they'll often put the car through a fresh MOT. Make sure there's at least 6 months on a used car as MOT renewal time on older cars generally involves some repair expenditures.
Every vehicle in the UK needs to be tested annually to ensure it meets road worthiness standards. If you have a vehicle that's more than three years old, it requires an annual MOT test to ensure that it meets at least the minimum road safety and environmental standards.
The directgov.co.uk website has full information on MOT's.
Click here a very useful Government website where you can check if your car has a valid MOT certificate - useful if yours is temporarily misplaced!
Look at the service history and see if the car's been serviced regularly (and at the correct intervals). If buying a used car, check the important services have been carried out e.g. timing belt replacement service. This will ensure that you car has been looked after in the past. The services don't necessarily have to be done by a main dealer as an approved garage is just as good.
A handbook isn't essential but it can be helpful to have detailed information about your car and what specifications and equipment it has. It also gives useful information about tyre pressure etc. If you don't have a car handbook phone a dealer and ask if they can give you one.
Make sure you get an invoice and sales contract showing that you have completed the deal and that the balance has been paid.
Have your Say
What do you like about YOU car? What made you choose it? Would you choose differently now? Click here to visit our forums or why not post a comment below.....
Post new comment