kentzer Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 I bought my Golf in July from a VW main dealer. I still haven't had a v5c, so I called the DVLA today. It seems that someone else owns the car, and has transferred a personal plate onto it in the last couple of weeks. I spoke to the dealer this morning, and they have verified that the VIN number on my Golf matches the VIN number for the vehicle on the main VWUK system. It looks like I might have the original car. However, an HPI check on the car done by the dealer throws up the personal plate. The plot thickens. Anyone had any experience of what happens when vehicles are ringed? I think I have the original, but I think someone else has one that they think is original, but they also have the v5c. My fears have been increased by the fact that I've just been onto the RAC vehicle search pages and put in the number plate. It used to appear as the right vehicle, but now it says the vehicle doesn't exist. I just spoke to my insurance company, and they've assured me that they will continue to insure me on the vehicle, so at least I can drive home legally! Thanks Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Wow, that's bad news mate. I hope you get it sorted out! As you bought it from a dealer and not privately, I should hope you have some kind of comeback on it. Best of luck with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 If your vin matches the one that VW says should be on the car, and is also the one that should be showing on the V5C then tell the Police. Tell the dealer you're telling the Police aswell, and then they're aware that you will be coming back to them for your money back if they sold you a ringer. In writing of course. You paid a reputable dealer for a vehicle, and if it's dodgy, they'll have to give you your money back. If it isn't dodgy then the other guy has the dodgy car and the Police will want to know where it was born. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 I would start pushing the dealer to take some action here. You purchased the car in good faith and it has turned out to have problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Sounds like a clone rather than a ringer (ie someones copied the details of your car and put them on another). However I totally agree with the advice above, you pay extra to buy a car from a dealer for peace of mind. They should ensure you get the V5. Tell them that if they are unable to supply the paperwork for the car they sold you, they'd better have it back. The words "Trading Standards" can also have a powerful effect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Yep, as DHA says, liability lies with the dealer. He has passed title to you and if it turns out that they never had title in the first place they will have to refund you. Did you take any finance on the vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 It may be more simple than you think, a friend of mine had a 3rd Seat Ibzia Cupra but it came to light that the reg should have corrosponded to a 5 door Seat Ibzia. It turned out that when new the dealer had put the wrong reg plate on the wrong car so his details got mixed up with the car that was sitting next to it at the time. The DVLA had to send an inspector out to his and the other persons car, then change the details on their system and send out new V5 documents. They had been wrong for 5 years before anyone noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentzer Posted November 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 The plot thickens. Police have confirmed that someone else bought a vehicle with the same number plate more recently than I have, and that they've changed the plate through DVLA. Looks like the V5 has been intercepted at some point and sold on to cover another car. It's all a bit shady. It looks like the VW dealer never received the v5c - just the v5, which is what they sold it to me on. When I questioned this at the time they said that the vehicle had been with them for a while, anbd they thought nothing of it. Sorry If I'm being a bit vague here - don't want to let slip anything that might be useful in identifying the car Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Best of luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Don't trust the dealer to sort it out for you, continue pursuing it with the Police. Someone has committed a crime here somewhere, and it just could be the dealer. Just keep the dealer informed of all your steps to investigate what happened, and I bet they try and take control at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentzer Posted November 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Thanks for all the support guys Just waiting for the boys in blue to come and look at it and make a report out. I was tempted to let the dealer sort it out, but Rustynuts advice has hit home (thanks fella ) and I'll be sorting it out myself. Mum works for a solicitor, so if necessary I can get them involved, and also (as you say) Trading Standards are going to be a good place to go. That's the second time I've been a victim of vehicle crime in under 6 months. The local bobbies reckon it's on the way down - not for me it's not!!! Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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