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Original poster

Car dealership got car but not paid

10 replies

Hoppinggreen · 21/07/2024 10:34

An acquaintance has asked for my help as he "sold" his car to a dealership 3 weeks ago because he is returning to his home country.
The Dealership (vauxhall main dealer) has the car but haven't paid him yet as according to them they are having some difficulty registering the car due to unspecified issued with the DVLA.
Of course I will need more info and plan to visit the dealer with the car owner next week to find out why they have had both the car and not paid (around £9000) but does anyone have any idea whether we can take the car back and if they refuse would The Police be interested?
The car owner is a highly educated engineer and has English as a first language but doesn't understand how things work here and he has been told by the Dealer that this is normal. He is due to leave at the end of next week so we need to get this sorted asap and he is happy to have the car back and take it to We Buy any Car or similar if thats possible.

OP posts:
mommybigboy2302 · 22/07/2024 11:22

That sounds pretty rough. If the dealership has had the car for weeks and hasn’t paid yet, I’d definitely be concerned. From what I know, if they’re not following through on their end, you might have a right to take the car back. It’s worth checking the terms of the sale and contacting legal advice if necessary.
As for involving the police, they might not get involved in a payment dispute directly, but they could help if there’s evidence of fraud or theft. I’d suggest documenting everything and pushing the dealership hard for answers.
Also, a friend of mine bought a car at carauctionsusa.net/car-auctions/dealers/ and he had the same problem, but it turned out that the bank just delayed the transaction. Maybe you have a similar situation. Good luck with sorting this out before your friend leaves!

reenon · 22/07/2024 12:49

They don't need to register the car with the DVLA, they need to buy it in to trade which can be done online very quickly on this link here - www.buysellvehicle.service.gov.uk/sell-motor-trade/before-you-start

I'd be going down there and either taking the car back or ask them to bank transfer while you are standing there.

Was the car on a private plate?

Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 13:23

Thank you
I am going to the Dealership on Wenesday with the car owner. There is no point in phoning as they are unlikley to speak to me without the owners agreement.
My question regarding the Police is if we want to take the car with us and they won't allow it because that suggests theft to me but I am not an expert.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 13:23

No private plate

OP posts:
reenon · 22/07/2024 13:32

The problem you may encounter is that the used car buyer won't be the one transferring the money. It will be the finance department.

I would phone and ask to be put through to them - you're the owner's partner right.....? And ask where the payment is. Don't go in to too much detail, just give the car make and reg and say the car was dropped off on x date and you haven't received the funds into the bank account yet. Do they have any update etc etc.

Edit - I am assuming he handed over the V5 to them?

reenon · 22/07/2024 13:47

Also to add... if the finance department have no knowledge of the payment then go down there and just stand your ground. Ask to speak to the dealer principle. Show them the paperwork that was signed, get them to explain the "DVLA issue"

I bet that the used car buyer has forgotten to bring the vehicle in to trade or pass on the paperwork to the relevant department.

Find out if they bought the vehicle in to trade online - if they did then they need to provide their email address for this service. Then ask them to forward the DVLA confirmation email to your friend.

If they haven't done it yet then you have two options, take the car back or get them to make payment. They won't want the police down there. Just say you won't leave until you either get the car or get the payment.

Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 14:11

reenon · 22/07/2024 13:32

The problem you may encounter is that the used car buyer won't be the one transferring the money. It will be the finance department.

I would phone and ask to be put through to them - you're the owner's partner right.....? And ask where the payment is. Don't go in to too much detail, just give the car make and reg and say the car was dropped off on x date and you haven't received the funds into the bank account yet. Do they have any update etc etc.

Edit - I am assuming he handed over the V5 to them?

Edited

No I am not his partner or anything similar.
I am helping him with his departure in a professional capacity and this is the main thing we need to resolve before he leaves at the end of this week.
I don't know about the V5, I will check with him so thanks for the reminder on that

OP posts:
Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 22/07/2024 14:14

reenon · 22/07/2024 13:47

Also to add... if the finance department have no knowledge of the payment then go down there and just stand your ground. Ask to speak to the dealer principle. Show them the paperwork that was signed, get them to explain the "DVLA issue"

I bet that the used car buyer has forgotten to bring the vehicle in to trade or pass on the paperwork to the relevant department.

Find out if they bought the vehicle in to trade online - if they did then they need to provide their email address for this service. Then ask them to forward the DVLA confirmation email to your friend.

If they haven't done it yet then you have two options, take the car back or get them to make payment. They won't want the police down there. Just say you won't leave until you either get the car or get the payment.

Thanks
That is basically my plan
Because he is not from the UK I think they are giving him the run around, maybe they want to sell it first and then pay him or something, I don't know but they have had the car for 3 weeks!!!
On Wednesday I plan to be leaving with the money or the car

OP posts:
Piccalillies · 22/07/2024 14:22

Have you checked online to see if it has been transferred and a new log book issued? If you enter the registration here, you can see the date of the last log book.
https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

Get vehicle information from DVLA

Check a vehicle's details, tax and SORN status and expiry dates on the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) database - online and telephone enquiries

https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

reenon · 22/07/2024 16:14

The old keeper would have received a letter in the post from the DVLA saying that they are no longer the keeper if a new logbook had been issued

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