Bought a car but can't drive it due to missing paperwork - what can I do?
A few weeks ago I paid a deposit for a used Ford Focus ST. The car had a private registration, but the dealer said the paperwork was with the DVLA for the issue of a new plate. After a few days I grew impatient and contacted the dealer again, who told me not to worry as I could drive the car on the private registration, if the paperwork didn’t appear.
Since then two weeks have passed - I have organised insurance (on the private plates) and finance for the car – yet still no paperwork. The dealer has no idea when the paperwork will arrive and I’m now paying for a car I can’t drive. What can I do?
Since then two weeks have passed - I have organised insurance (on the private plates) and finance for the car – yet still no paperwork. The dealer has no idea when the paperwork will arrive and I’m now paying for a car I can’t drive. What can I do?
Asked on 16 September 2013 by lckldm
Answered by
Honest John
The dealer has to immediately supply you with an equivalent fully insured Focus ST and another equivalent car that you are prepared to accept while it sorts this out, or it must undo the deal and compensate you for any financial loss.
This sort of thing often happens when a car is on private plates. The DVLA has gone slow in administering changes. But the dealer has sold you a car and if you cannot legally drive it, they must either undo the deal and compensate you, or keep you on the road in an equivalent car.
This sort of thing often happens when a car is on private plates. The DVLA has gone slow in administering changes. But the dealer has sold you a car and if you cannot legally drive it, they must either undo the deal and compensate you, or keep you on the road in an equivalent car.
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