The current amount of available information at your finger tips these days about potential purchase cars must drive some garages / traders nuts, so much so that its the norm to see plates blanked out in pictures of a the selling garage temp fit they garage name over to hide the registration plate.

 

However sometimes they miss it on a photo or show service history paper work a little too close and the reg can be seen, and is often a reason behind it, I am talking general, all cars, but as an example this 300zx here >

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-NISSAN-300-ZX-3-0-TARGA-TURBO-2D-280-BHP/173321776318?hash=item285ac86cbe:g:49AAAOSwc~NbOYVz

 

been on Ebay a while now, over priced for sure and has some interesting lines in the description such as : UNMOLESTED EXAMPLE - RUST FREE - ALWAYS GARAGED - 12 MONTHS MOT

 

and

 

DRIVES and PERFORMS SUPERB

 

 

The Mot check reveals these fails less than 8 months ago !

 

Fail

Mileage: 47,403 miles

Refusal Notices

Offside front body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings inner sill area (6.1.b.2)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.b.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.d.3)

Rear brakes imbalanced across an axle axle 2 (3.7.b.5b)

Advisory Notices

Nearside front upper suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.g.2)

 

Four year gap in the mot`s so off the road I guess and still it failed !!

 

Three years of nearly the same advisory notes since 2013 !!

 

Advisory Notices

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.e.1)

Offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.e.1)

Nearside front upper suspension arm has slight play in all bushers (right on the limit)

Damage to windscreen outside swept area

 

 

So what is the upshot of this, the advert calls it unmolested, always garaged, drives superb, this would and does give the impression that the car has been cosseted and wanted for nothing... how wrong you could be.

 

Be careful guys with any car you buy, do not take the selling garage word for anything, do your check, via Ask mid, mot checker and Total car check all valuable information, amazes me how many private sale cars come back as NO INSURANCE and then take you on a test drive !!

 

Jeff

Caveat emptor.

Caveat emptor.

 

Yes indeed.....

 

…..and as for hiding the number plate - anyone viewing the car will see it anyway; and [hopefully] perform the same checks when they get home!

 

Trouble is, you visit the dealer, he spins the old line about someone else coming to view in half an hour - desperate to buy etc. etc.... And before you know it, you've placed a deposit. When you get home, it may be too late!! Sure, legally you'd be entitled to your money back - as the vehicle was clearly mis-represented in the advert. But in practice...? That could take a while to resolve.

 

So if you are caught in that dilemma, try to pay the deposit by credit card!! At least you can get your money back from the card provider:wink:

It surprises me how many people will buy a car without doing the proper checks. New or old, people seem to put far too much trust in the sellers. There are a lot of good natured people in this world and it’s normally these people that naively fall into this sort of trap but it is so frustrating the amount of dishonest crooks around!

Thread cleaned.

 

makaveli96 Please keep your remarks like that to yourself as they are not needed or wanted on these forums.

Thank you kindly......

There is an app for android (maybe iPhone too, but I dont own one) called "Vehicle Smart". It is is really good, you can check number plates and its based on the MOT database so it updates as soon as the tester has done the paperwork. The app normally tells me if the car has passed before the tester comes out with the paperwork! You can save up to 4 cars in your garage and save all kinds of info such as VIN, paint codes, oil type etc which is great if you are forgetful like me! Lastly it will do HPI and outstanding payments on the car checks, but those you have to pay for. I paid the one off fee to open up the pro features, well worth it. I always use the app when looking at cars on the internet and it stops me even contacting some even before the looking stage.

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jvelimited.vehiclesmart&hl=en_GB

The MOT system being computerised is one of the best things to ever happen in the car world.

 

Has saved me countless trips as you can see straight away what is junk.

 

Still can be caught out with being having cars MOTd by their mates etc, but its made a huge difference none the less.

Best to get an MOT after May this year . If buying insist on a new MOT at the local council run station . Stops the mates MOT

Using the Mot system as an indication of a cars current or previous condition isnt a great way of doing so.

 

Very little is actually checked during an Mot and a pass doesn't mean its roadworthy.

 

YOU as the buyer are responsible for making your checks and using independent assessors (if need be) to give an accurate indication as to its true condition.

 

Blanking the reg for an advert means nothing. I do it whenever i sell a car, but i will gladly disclose it to a potential buyer once i have their details.

The MOT system being computerised is one of the best things to ever happen in the car world.

 

Has saved me countless trips as you can see straight away what is junk.

 

Still can be caught out with being having cars MOTd by their mates etc, but its made a huge difference none the less.

 

Could not agree more, brilliant idea.

 

If buying insist on a new MOT at the local council run station . Stops the mates MOT

 

Again agree mates MOT is not fair

 

Using the Mot system as an indication of a cars current or previous condition isnt a great way of doing so.

 

Very little is actually checked during an Mot and a pass doesn't mean its roadworthy.

 

YOU as the buyer are responsible for making your checks and using independent assessors (if need be) to give an accurate indication as to its true condition.

 

Blanking the reg for an advert means nothing. I do it whenever i sell a car, but i will gladly disclose it to a potential buyer once i have their details.

 

Whilst agreeing with most of what you say, per the small amount of checks done during an MOT, if you feel blanking the reg in adverts means nothing then, why do it ? confused

 

Jeff

Could not agree more, brilliant idea.

 

 

 

Again agree mates MOT is not fair

 

 

 

Whilst agreeing with most of what you say, per the small amount of checks done during an MOT, if you feel blanking the reg in adverts means nothing then, why do it ? confused

 

Jeff

Because people will look through for sale adverts then fill out a v5 application for the vehicle and try to obtain the v5.

 

We had a van for sale at work and this is what happend.

 

Also, ever seen written off vehicles on a transporter with the reg taped over? Same reason, stops people copying the reg for a dodgy motor.

And lets say you stole a black bmw 330i cabriolet in london and wanted to drive it to manchester for stripping, you go straight on auto trader do a search via the model and colour etc and voila, a whole selection of reg plates for you to choose from. Make the plates and off you go.

 

You can even ensure the reg you choose is shown as insured taxed and has mot.

And lets say you stole a black bmw 330i cabriolet in london and wanted to drive it to manchester for stripping, you go straight on auto trader do a search via the model and colour etc and voila, a whole selection of reg plates for you to choose from. Make the plates and off you go.

 

You can even ensure the reg you choose is shown as insured taxed and has mot.

 

No matter what you do, the criminal element will always find a way round it.

No matter what you do, the criminal element will always find a way round it.

True. But at least try to make it less easy.....

Not sure if its the same in mainland UK but you cant buy number plates in Northern Ireland without a V5 being presented to the motor factors that is going to make the new plates.

Not sure if its the same in mainland UK but you cant buy number plates in Northern Ireland without a V5 being presented to the motor factors that is going to make the new plates.

Same here Gary, although they can be obtained online as show plates with no checks at all. Makes the system pointless really. And anyone can purchase the materials to make plates themselves like the traders at car shows.

Yes bought online with no checks makes it a farce.