First, could a moderator remove or disguise that private plate number from my original post?...didn't mean to put it there!

Seller tells me that was his private plate which he took off the car when he put it up for sale and the finance was paid off just before he took the plate off.

However having now entered all the details for the full HPI I'm now getting the alert:

The V5 registration document issue date does not match the information provided by the DVLA

which is strange because the date of issue of the V5 is the date the car was first registered, I'll call the DVLA tomorrow...could be the change of plate has thrown the DVLA, I believe they have been know to make mistakes?

Done.

Actually, I think he is just incapable of pulling the correct info from the V5.

The problem with the doc issue date not matching seems to be down to him giving me the acquired vehicle date then trying the date of 1st registration whereas it's actually the date next to the doc ref no when the doc was actually officially issued! I've asked him to look again at the document!

I'm really starting to see the upside of walking into a main dealer and just slapping down the wonga for a brand new car!

Still, an asking price for 4.5K for a 37K 2008, one previous owner car with 5 star safety rating, a decent 115bhp engine and potential for low 40's mpg and decent (i.e. no complex diesel worries) reliability can't be bad...can it?

I'll check the service record in person!

Update:

Spoke to DVLA, very laid back Welsh chap informed me "ahh, probably nothing to worry about boyo, HPI don't get their information directly from us and it's often out of date"

Phoned HPi, they contacted DVLA, the issue date on the V5 now matches the info held by the DVLA.

They also explained that the outstanding finance on the private plate was finance on a different car belonging to the seller, he's just had the same plate on both. They confirmed that there was no outstanding finance on the car I am about to view. Seller probably just needs to get the finance company to update their records.

So...just need to make sure the car itself is straight now!

ps: okay, the chap from the DVLA didn't actually say "Boyo"!

How do you know that the car you've checked through HPI (via the number plate) is actually the car he's selling?

When buying privately like that you need to ensure you know exactly what car is being offered to you, by checking all the VIN numbers inc the hard to get to ones...then HPI that car's details. It is very easy to put incorrect plates on a car and have a prospective buyer HPI the wrong car. V5 forgeries are again fairly easy to achieve.

There are plenty of bargains out there that are genuine..and equally so plenty that are not. Going in properly prepared and researched, you should have no problems. Not very aware or prepared then buy from a reputable garage and let them do all the background work.

If it seems too good to be true..it often is.

Again, thanks for all the sound advice.

I've never actually been "Luckless" when buying a car privately, usually keep my eyes open, ask lots of questions, do the basic checks, rely a lot on instinct i.e. if it feels wrong it is wrong. The username is just from a favourite Steely Dan song!

I do still intend to go and at least look at the car on Monday. I'll keep you posted....thanks again.