CAR NUMBER PLATE CHANGE

[Itsjustmethatsall]

I put a hefty deposit on a wheelchair accessible car, as it would be perfect for my needs. Immaculate condition, not that many around. That was at the end of July, four and a half weeks ago. It had a private plate on, but the chap needed to take it off, as it was his father in laws, who died. He said couple of weeks changeover. The bloke seems legit and up front. However, because he has to, by law, do it by post, not online, it actually takes between 4 - 6 weeks, we've since found out.
We go on holiday on 8th Sept, and I need this, or a similar, car for then. Am I being unreasonable to ask for my deposit back, seeing as we were mislead about the time it would take, plus that money could have been earning a month's interest in my account, not his. What would you do? I get that it's DVLA holding things up, but to my mind, he should have sorted it before he put it up for sale

I think it's reasonable to ask. If it's a private seller, though, you might struggle to get them to give it back.

Could you contact the DVLA and explain the situation, maybe see if there's any way of getting the original registered plates back on the car, the current owner could just hold the private plate unregistered then until he can sell them (if he wants to sell them).

Do you not qualify for a pip car girl? Sounds more reliable than buying private?

I dont think youd be unreasonable but he may not refund you x

I think this is where you have been caught out by not knowing a process and where a bit of research might have helped... the DVLA is quite clear that there is no guarantee that a number plate can be removed online - there are a few reasons why it might have to be done by post (e.g. a period of not being taxed previously etc.). The correct approach would have been to:

• either have asked him to remove it before paying a deposit
• asked him to do it there and then (literally takes 5 minutes online)

either way you would then have been aware of the need to do it by post before paying the deposit and you might have changed your mind...

arguably it is the fault of both of you / neither of you, so I would doubt you would have any legal basis to request a return of deposit, however it wouldn't harm to ask...

I recently took a private plate off my dad's car, did it online, paid £80 and got a certificate with the new number on immediately. Took it to a car shop, got new plates made next day, the DVLA sent new documents a few days later, all done and dusted. Not sure why he can’t do that?

I do qualify for a pip car, however I'm unwilling to trust them. If anything did happen to my pip, they simply take the car back, with no time for appeals. I've known it happen. This way, it's mine! Lol

Something to do with him not being the owner, probate and stuff. He couldn't do it online, but I've no experience of private plates, so I didn't realise

🥺🥺 thats true, such a horrible system at times, completely understand

Have you heard back from the guy? If the car is otherwise perfect, youd be without a car for the holiday anyway? I'd just wait and maybe contact the dvla yourself as above pp said

Also Motability are very sniffy about the adaptations to make a car wheelchair accessible. As soon as you need those they palm you off onto private garages that make the adaptations.

I went to look at one last year with a friend, and the first question was not "what are their requirements", but "What finance package are you interested in ?"

Says it all.

Was the delivery/handover date written into the contract terms ? If not it will be an uphill battle. From bitter experience if you have not committed your specific needs (e.g. by a certain date) into the actual contract then you are at the whim of what a court would - eventually - decided is reasonable. Which may not be what you or I decide.

YANBU by the way. Good luck.