Update:
Police state that details (ie VIN and Reg.) are OK. There is no report on the car having been stolen or written off. They have now suggested I get the car MOT'd. (Keep your fingers crossed on the cost to get it through the re-test it will undoubtedly need).
A question for you - although it doesn't look like it's a ringer, could it still be a 'cut & shut' job? Internally the car is immaculate, and externally does not look like a re-spray, has no bodywork damage, and I can see no evidence of welding/serious repair work.
Some thoughts:
i) I thought I was doing the right thing in checking the VIN on the MOT against chassis and window embed; this is obviously not enough of a check is it. I'd now recommend that when you do check an MOT, preferably get a photocopy, and check with VOSA that the Test Number allocated on their database is for the same vehicle - please pass this message around (or is this something people genrally do anyway/)
ii) I waited around for the best part of 36hours for the police to attend. In the end they didn't, a simply got a phone, from an officer who wouldn't even give is name - 'you don't need it, I'm updating your URN, it's all computerised'. I work in IT, I know the police reporting system is all computerised, that's why it's no better than the manual method, and the EXACT reason I wanted his name. Unbelievable. They also showed absolutely no interest in looking further into the dodgy MOT. I should have known this would be their response - and just got it MOT'd two days ago.
I guess the best I can hope for now, is that it's not a cut & shut, and that it won't cost too much to get through the MOT.
I'll keep you posted - it's going in early next week.
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roy38
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Good - Look at the bright side though, if there is a major problem highlighted by the MoT you should have some comeback on the seller if he was/is a trader.
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He's no 'trader'. That much I have now worked out.
Hindsight, great isn't it?
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roy38
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If the testgoes badly, it may be worth contacting the local Trading Stds. dept.....they may "know" him.
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What was the price you paid? Not trying to rub anything in.
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Not sure if I dare say - not because of the amount, more to do with the previous talk of knee-caps, big blokes, underworld, and the fact he has my name, address, and tel. number.
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roy38
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Have youhad a good look round the vehicle? Checked the engine number? go over and under it with a fine tooth comb looking for accident repair tell tale signs. Check the vin plate under the bonnet to see if its been replaced or tampered with or loose. Look for overspray, lift up carpets, look under the rubber bits and inspect the trim closley on the bodywork.
And now the final part, When it passes the MOT, sell it. You are never going to be happy with this vehicle, something is always going to be preying on your mind about it, something that might crop up later, its not going to be a carefree owning experience unless you tie down to your satisfaction what went on.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Thanks TVM. Done all the checks you suggest, and can't see evidence of re-spray/heavy damage/welding. The VIN plate isn't loose, doesn't look tampered with. But heck, as you know, I'm no expert.
Agree, it's got to be sold. Although it's exactly the make, model, age, etc of car I wanted, now I'll never be happy driving it.
Depending on what happens with getting through MOT, what advice can anyone offer on how best to sell in this situation? ie although legal, a totally dodgy history?
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roy38
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Sell it at auction/Ebay - ie highest bidder pays and takes it, no arguing over final price then. You may be surprised. Saw a knackered but MoT'd Corrado advertised on a VW forum for £500 - no takers, so he ebay'd it, and got £850!
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The easiest way to get shot of it quickly with no questions and no come backs is to auction it. That way you don't have to give any explanations or tell any lies. The buyer inspects and it sells as seen.
Mind you I wouldn't expect it will command a top price.
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Well, 4 bulbs and a new tyre got it through the MOT. And, I know I should've spotted this ahead of buying (I will now, always, hindsight and all that).
However, 3 pulleys need changing on drive belt (?); rear brake shoes not long left; clutch might last a year, then again it might last three weeks.
I'm considering getting this work done (I need a/the car now!), then auctioning/ebay-ing in (say 4 months).
Am I a complete fool?
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
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roy38
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Your not a fool there is not a person alive or dead that has not been conned at some time ,the ones that say they have never been shows how good the con was. Just put it down to experience.
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Agree with Andy - you took more care to check the car's history than most buyers ever do. When you thought there was something amiss, you set about rectifying it.
Its entirely possible that the car was genuine, IMHO. Suppose the trader took it as a trade-in from someone living 50 miles away who had the car MOT'd before trading in? Or bought it from another trader 50 miles away. And its not inconceivable that someone would enter the VIN number incorrectly when filling out the form.
The MOT you had done suggests there's nothing dangerously wrong with the car (though if you harbour any doubts at all it would be wise to have an expert check it carefully for signs of cut-and-shut or whatever else you fear may be wrong).
If the car is legitimate, you may in fact be better off running it awhile before you sell it again - selling the car almost immediately after you got it might suggest to the next buyer that there really is something wrong with it.
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And its not inconceivable that someone would enter the VIN number incorrectly when filling out the form.
I agree. I had a blue car marked as "red" on the MOT certificate a few years back. Totally legit place that I've used for years - just a genuine mistake.
Cheers
DP
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One of my best friends has been a used car dealer for more years than he cares to remember (now works from home rather than a showroom).
He is an honest and genuine dealer and, as such, sells vehicles not only locally but all round the country as he often has exactly what someone wants (has a close relationship in particular with the main BMW dealer to acquire some of their PXs).
My VW Bora was acquired through him at a price that was very satisfying. Its owner lived near Glasgow and travelled 200 miles to PX it for one of my friend's particular vehicles.
Furthermore my youngest offspring bought his Focus some 150 miles from where he lives (wanted a three-door TDCI version, a bodystyle which was not very common at that time and found it on the Internet). His own Ford was taken in PX by the main dealership involved.
So the 50 mile distance involved in your case shouldn't necessarily mean anything out of order.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Roy
Put your purchase behind you, and stop beating your self up about it. We all get caught
some times.
I would question spending out on these repairs and selling at auction a few months later. The repairs won't improve the auction price which may be unpleasantly low anyway.
What price range are you in?
Regards
John
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Bought the vehicle for £2,995.
A good price, had all been OK. Worst case scenario for repairs as it stands £600.
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roy38
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