Paperwork. Let’s be honest – no one likes it! However, while it can be a pain, it’s nevertheless worth considering before you buy a new car. After all, ensuring your purchase is genuine is critical. This guide will help you check and verify the details with confidence.
Why is Paperwork Important When Buying a Used Car?
If you’re looking to purchase a used car, it’s vital to double check paperwork first. Of course, the main reason for this is simply to stay legal when buying; after all, purchasing a car without the correct paperwork can cause a whole load of trouble! However, paperwork is also important for your own peace of mind and to ensure your chosen car is a safe bet.
Fortunately, checking your car’s history doesn’t rely on the seller’s paperwork trail alone. Indeed, specialist car history-checking tools like Full Car Checks allow you to quickly view a vehicle’s history. In turn, this helps make it easier to decide whether a car is a safe bet or not.
Key Paperwork for Used Car Buying
Purchasing a car requires several different types of paperwork. Some of these are legally required, and others are simply a good check for peace of mind.
Paperwork You Should Bring
As the buyer, there are several types of paperwork you’ll need to bring when purchasing a used car. Notably, you’ll first need to make sure that you’ve brought your driver’s licence along, which should really go without saying! In addition, you’ll need to obtain insurance and vehicle tax on your new car before you can drive it home; as such, bringing the insurance document with you can help reassure the seller you’re legally allowed to drive.
Finally, if you’ve obtained finance to purchase the car, it’s also a good idea to bring this documentation along. Bear in mind, though, that many private sellers won’t be able to accept a finance plan directly. This is likely more appropriate for second-hand car dealers.
What to Ask the Seller For
Several types of paperwork are naturally needed to drive your new car home. However, the seller also has a responsibility to provide papers for the purchase. Most crucial of all, they’ll need to give you the V5C logbook for the car. Always take some time to double check this is genuine, as scammers are getting increasingly adept at faking these.
Additionally, checking the seller’s details is a good way to verify they are legitimate. We highly recommend that you make sure these match the details in the logbook; if not, the car could be stolen, or this might indicate a fraudulent V5C.
And, of course, don’t forget to get a receipt from the seller after the transaction. Most business dealers will give a receipt as standard. However, private sellers often won’t think to give a receipt; so, you may need to ask for one. Asking in advance should help to avoid difficulties when picking up the car; plus, if the seller is reluctant to give one, this may be a red flag to account for.
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