Advice on buying a vehicle

Buying a used vehicle is a serious business. By making you aware of the following advice, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) can help you reduce the risk of buying a stolen vehicle. Here are some top tips to consider.

The New Red V5C(NI) Roll-out

DVA is replacing all existing blue V5C(NI)s and will issue a new red V5C(NI) for all vehicles by November 2012. When you receive the new red V5C(NI) you must use this for future dealings with DVA or the Post Office^®.

Buyer Beware

When buying a used vehicle from a private seller, dealer or auction house, you should make sure you know your consumer rights.

To find out more about your consumer rights, warranties or if things go wrong, follow the link below.

Buying a car - your consumer rights (the consumer council website)

There’s no way to guarantee that you won’t be a victim of vehicle crime, but you can reduce the risks. Make sure you know what questions to ask about the:

seller
registration certificate V5C(NI)
identity of the vehicle

Use the steps below to help you.

Step 1: Before seeing the vehicle

be careful of mobile phone numbers - owners are hard to trace
watch out for adverts giving a landline number and times to call - criminals often use phone boxes.
check the market value of the vehicle - if it's offered much cheaper, ask yourself why.
check where the vehicle's stamped-in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and engine number should be so you can check them against the registration certificate (V5CNI). Your nearest main dealer should be able to help.
arrange to see the vehicle in daylight at the seller's home and not in a public car park. Ask if the seller is the registered keeper so you can view the vehicle at the registered keeper's address (shown on the V5C(NI)). Always consider your personal safety.

Clocking

Vehicles can be clocked to reduce their mileage and get a better price

be careful, some dishonest dealers pose as private sellers to offload unsafe and clocked cars
consider taking a qualified vehicle examiner with you. A number of companies provide this service if you don't know anybody with sufficient knowledge of vehicles.
ask the seller for the:-
- registration number, make and model of the vehicle,
- expiry date of the tax disc,
- MoT test number.

You can check these out before seeing the vehicle. The link below explains how to do that.

check whether the vehicle has outstanding finance or has been stolen or written off.

The link below gives details of companies who will do this for you. You need to check with the companies what services they provide.

Vehicle check services

Step 2: Checking the vehicle's registration certificate (V5CNI)

Thieves can change a stolen vehicle and it's paperwork to make it look like a real one (known as cloning).

hold the V5C(NI) up to the light - there should be a 'DVL' watermark
make sure the seller has the right to sell the vehicle. If the seller has had the vehicle for some time, they shoud have any of the following:-
a bill of sale (receipt)
service records
MOT certificates

Remember, the V5C(NI) is not proof of ownership.

Make sure the V5C(NI) matches the vehicle's details and all other documentation provided.

Look out for stolen V5C(NI)'s. If the seller has a blue registration certificate, with a serial number in the following ranges,

BG8229501 to BG9999030
BI2305501 to BI2800000

don't go ahead with the sale and contact the police when it's safe to do so. The serial number is in a white circle in the top right hand corner of the V5C(NI).

Be careful - even if the serial number doesn't fall within the above ranges, it doesn't guarantee that the V5C(NI) is real. Don't buy the vehicle if it looks like the serial number has been altered,or if part of the V5C(NI) is missing.

From 15 August 2010 the V5C(NI) will change. Changes include a new colour and improved customer information.

Follow the link below for further information.

The vehicle registration certificate V5C(NI)

Step 3: Checking the vehicle

Remember

Don’t buy the vehicle if the VIN has been tampered with or is missing

has the engine been changed in any way?
do all locks open with the same key? Have they been forced or replaced, thieves change damaged locks.
are two keys available – clones are rarely sold with both.
do the VIN and engine number match those on the V5C(NI)? Have they been altered or covered?
if you decide to buy, avoid cash purchases. Pay by a banking system and get a bill of sale/receipt.

Print the checklist below and take it with you as a reminder of what to look for when buying a vehicle

You should also check the condition of the vehicle. Search online for expert advice from other reputable organisations.

The vehicle has a ‘QNI’ registration number

A ‘QNI’ registration number means:

the age or identity of the vehicle is not known
the vehicle may have been rebuilt from old or new parts
the vehicle may have been imported without proof of the vehicles age

The registration certificate should say why the vehicle has been registered with a ‘QNI’ registration number.

Vehicle Identity check

If the vehicle has been seriously damaged, it may have to undergo a Vehicle Identity Check, information about the Vehicle Identity Check can be found at the following link:

Vehicle Identity Check (VIC).

If you are offered a VIC Pass Certificate you can check it is genuine, or if you want to confirm details on the Registration Certificate V5C(NI) you can telephone DVA on 0845 402 4000 or International Telephone number +44 120 477 0768. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

If in doubt trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don't be pressured to buy - there's always another vehicle.

If you’re buying a used vehicle from a private seller, dealer or auction house, make sure you know your consumer rights.