buying a scooter, not from the owner. yes, i know.

[olliewtf]

heres one for ya!
met a guy down the pub.
should really end it there.
anyway, he works on classic motors for people.
we got chatting as i was on my scoot.
said he had an old vespa 3 speed, i imagine a vba or similar.
a lad brought it to him to repair the engine, it needed a new cruciform.
he sorted it and received payment, but the lad never picked it up.
that was 4 years ago.
he has been trying to contact him for the duration to no avail, and suspects he has moved away.
he says he wants rid, and is wiling to sell it at a very good price.
My plan is to get it running again, have a bit of fun with it and turn it for a small profit.
however, there is the legal and moral side of owning the scooter.

Ive done a bit of research, and it seems you can quite easily apply for the v5 if the vehicle has been abandoned, which in this case, it has. however, the v5 is not proof of ownership, and there is nothing stopping the guy turning up and claiming the scooter back. I dont plan to have it for long, but I would not, under any circumstances, sell it to another with such a risk. it must be completely above board.
I also know however, you can only claim proof of ownership with a bill of sale, and seeing as we are talking about a classic vespa, that may be impossible. at the same time, i doubt it is the sellers right to legally sell it. the only other way i can see it working is if he writes up a receipt for the storage costs over the 4 years, and claims the scooter in lieu of payment. but this is rather murky territory, and not something im savvy with.

Im going to view the scoot tomorrow, just to see its general condition and pinpoint which model it is. If it is in good nick and an easy project, Im going to be very tempted.

any advice?

I may pop into the local police station tomorrow and ask their advice too.
this is all assuming the bike is properly registered! if unregistered this may be far easier!

I would bet money though that i turn up tomorrow and its a proper nammer!

cheers all

ps i know the above sounds rather dodgy, this is just a request of information. I personally would never involve myself in anything that would take something away from someone else. It just seems a waste, and it may be possible for the old thing to be enjoyed again!

[LI150]

I defiantly see your temptation. I sure someone on here knows the in's and outs of this.

[Dibs]

I don't know much about scooters mate but I take it, it's similar to owning a car, if you apply for the log book send off to dvla and it comes back in your name then it's yours. Basically if you register that your the new keeper without the log book they will send a notification to the original owner asking that he no longer owns the scooter/ vehicle. The original owner can't keep it there forever he could of moved away like you said or died. If it was me I'd take the chance onit if it goes wrong get your money back or come to some arrangement, if he does turn up he will owe the man that had it all the years a hell of a lot of rent for storGe

[eden]

have you checked if the reg is sorn? surely if he has moved away or died he wont have applied for sorn each year.
if you do buy it make sure you get a receipt from the guy you met in the pub so you can prove you haven't had it for the last 4 years.

[bristolmod]

on all my V5C's it states right at the top:-

"THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT PROOF OF OWNERSHIP"

don't want anything to come back and bite you in the arse.

Chris

[YAMLAM]

on all my V5C's it states right at the top:-

"THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT PROOF OF OWNERSHIP"

don't want anything to come back and bite you in the arse.

Chris

yes ,you are the registered keeper, not the same thing as legal owner.

But i``d go for it, but get a receipt in case it all goes Pete Tong.

[Jazzy]

I had the same thing in reverse.
Dvla wrote to me as last registered keeper asking if there was any problem with the transfer.
I filled in the slip provided and sent it back not heard anything since.

obviously on applies if the bike is registered.

[olliewtf]

sorry for the late reply, thanks for all the comments.
A few days after the OP I saw the scooter. Its very tempting.
But I did insist to the chap I need a written letter from the old owner saying he was happy for the ownership to be relinquished.
Might have suggested he scare him off with 4 yrs worth of storage costs haha.
That was a month ago. He hasn't been in touch. Need to get in touch with him.
The critical thing as mentioned above is that the logbook is not proof of ownership.

And im not sure a receipt from a non owner will suffice in not getting stung, or even worse the new owner (after repairing and moving it on) getting stung.

Will mull it over. any more advice much appreciated.

Ta!

[lambro]

I have applied for several logbooks over the years for cars left at work and bills not settled, once the logbooks are gained in our name we sell the cars to cover the costs and have never had a problem.

Personally I would take the chance on the scooter, or get the shop to apply and you buy it from them.
After 4 years, and a storage charge its almost certain there will not be a problem.

Shaun.

Which reminds me, we have a Fiat estate here that has £500 owing, been here just over 6 months now.
Must print off a V62

[bristolmod]

Shaun- next time you've got a TV200 sat waiting give us a shout please? ...............