Buying a Pre Registered Car

Al1944

Al1944

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I've been offered a new car with a good discount - the car would be newly registered by the dealer next week but (cough!) I wouldn't get the V5 for three months as they aren't really supposed to sell pre-reg cars until 90 days have passed since registration. I thought this was a bit dodgy - can anyone enlighten me on current regs?

Many thanks,
AL
 
The only sticking point I can see will be VED and insurance. Basically you will be driving a car the dealership owns for 3 months before it becomes yours and the VED and insurance would then have to be in your name.
 
Yes - I've just emailed them to ask if they would insure it for three months (I would pay of course).
 
I have twice bought pre-registered cars from Arnold Clark (under 30 miles mileage). Absolutely no problem whatsoever. I have also twice bought new cars because the deal at the time was better that any of the pre-registered vehicles on offer so make sure you ask what is is for sale.
Dealers have pre-registered cars because they bought them to keep the numbers of sales up so that they qualify for better discounts from the manufacturer.
 
Al1944 said:
Yes - I've just emailed them to ask if they would insure it for three months (I would pay of course).
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Thats not technically true, you own the car and have paperwork to prove it, however the 'registered keeper' will be the garage until the 90 days have past. It shouldn't be an issue even if the garage goes bust in this time, as you can apply for the V5 (using a V62) and have paperwork to prove it (ie sales receipt)
 
I have twice bought pre-registered cars from Arnold Clark (under 30 miles mileage). Absolutely no problem whatsoever. I have also twice bought new cars because the deal at the time was better that any of the pre-registered vehicles on offer so make sure you ask what is is for sale.
Dealers have pre-registered cars because they bought them to keep the numbers of sales up so that they qualify for better discounts from the manufacturer.

So have I but I've always had the V5 straight away.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Thats not technically true, you own the car and have paperwork to prove it, however the 'registered keeper' will be the garage until the 90 days have past. It shouldn't be an issue even if the garage goes bust in this time, as you can apply for the V5 (using a V62) and have paperwork to prove it (ie sales receipt)
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But I wouldn't own the car for 90 days on paper
 
Al1944 said:
Yep - I would be the owner but not the registered keeper o_O
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And that's where the problem may lie, as your insurance company may well insist that you are the registered keeper. Personally I'd tell them to sell the car at the pre-reg price and issue you with the V5 (you will be the second owner as they will be the first), or walk away, I suspect as you walk the deals/offers will come flying.....

(Don't make their problem your problem!)
 
It’s a bit naughty by the dealer and they may have to show ownership of the vehicle to the manufacturer if required, they get special deals on demos hence deals, I think you may be buying a car registered as a demo rather than just pre reg? In my last employment it was up to the DP to decide if cars were pre registered to achieve targets, 0-1- 2 or whatever, normally any car is for sale except demos.
A call to your insurer might clarify the V5 question rather than us guessing?
 
I lease my cars and don't have V5 documents for any of them. I have no problem insuring them. As far as the insurance company is concerned the finance company owns the car but I'm the registered keeper.
 
I bought a pre reg/demo VW in 2012, three months old with about 7k on the clock, saved about £5k on the list price.

It’s been excellent with no issues at all (excluding the emissions thing!).
 
We regularly buy pre-registered cars but have always received the V5 upon collection of the vehicle. It sounds like they are playing games, personally I wouldn't agree to the terms you have been offered. I would go elsewhere if they won't do you a 'straight' deal.

Our most recent purchase, a BMW X3 3.0D MSport Auto with 14 miles on the clock saved us almost £12k off the list price.
 
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We always buy pre registered Toyotas no hassles at all only thing to remember is that the mot is due from the date of first registration not the date you bought the car
 
I have to say having worked in the trade for many years, something sounds a little off. For them to be selling an unregistered car as pre-reg (why not register to you). As has already been said legally they cannot offer any pre-reg for sale for 3 months. This was introduced many years ago to stop dealers registering packs of cars on the last day of the month and selling the following day at a heavily reduced price. At the end of the day it’s your choice, ultimately the only people at risk are the dealer, who if caught may have the bonuses reclaimed. With regards to insurance you can insure a car where you are neither the owner or registered keeper. If you buy a car on contract hire you never receive a v5 as the finance company deals with the VED. I’d get three dealer to sort all the VED for you and by the time you need to deal with it again you’ll have the v5 and it will be in your name
 
I've bought a few pre reg cars in the past and have been very pleased with the deals I received and no issues at all. My only concern this time was the fact that I wouldn't get the V5 until 90 days later. It is obviously related to the dealer trying to achieve a better bonus as mentioned in previous post. I have raised my concerns and it looks as if it will be sorted.
 
its just a piece of paper if you have all the details of the purchase then its all good.
 
Would you not be guilty of aiding and abetting the dealer in committing fraud? The dealer would appear to be breaking the pre-registered/demonstrator terms agreed with the vehicle manufacturer.......
 
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