Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

Has anyone bought a bike or frame without the paperwork ? stupid question I know, but were do you stand if it all goes horribly wrong,, ie its stolen,broken and sold on to you ?

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

You lose it, the rightful owner will always own it and it will be taken from you without getting a penny back. If its going cheap then thats even worse as the police could say you knew there was something wrong if it was going so cheap and charge you with reset. Is it really worth the risk?
Of course you could also HPi it.
http://www.rac.co.uk/vehicle-checks/car-data-check/

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

Yep,kinda knew that I suppose, Im not intending to buy something hooky btw, didnt mean that in case anyone was wondering :rolleyes: more along the lines of applying for V5, etc, is it faff around ? or do you just supply frame no. etc ? thanks.

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

I wouldn't say don't, but be very careful that it's identity can be ascertained without doubt, and that you can satisfy yourself it isn't iffy.

And then ask yourself why there's no papers, there might be a good reason why the present owner can't get documentation for it - but I can't think of one.

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

As long as it's legit you can apply for a registration document using a form from the post office, you'll note that on the registration it says; 'the registered keeper is not necessarily the legal owner', as Bris says, if it's not legal it'll be you that loses out.

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

I bought a bike where the owner couldn't find the V5, but I had all the other paperwork, and was able to get a new V5 issued by the DVLA.

They wanted a form and the long number off the V5 document I think, which i was able to get from a slip from a previous V5 slip. Phone the DVLA up and they'll tell you the score. IIRC it was free if you'd just purchased the vehicle, where as there was a cost if you had lost the V5 but were already the registered keeper.

For me it wasn't a problem as I had the time to sort it out and was completely convinced of the bike's legal standing given i was buying from a good friend.

Jambo

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

I bought a transit van some years ago that turned out to be stolen, had fake chassis numbers etc.

I had it registered fine etc, V5 everything. then out of the blue I got a call from DVLA that somebody somewhere else had tried to register a vehicle with the same vin number. Drove my van volountarily to the DVLA center and it was eventually seized from me there and then, tossers. Left me with all the van contents to transport home.

I got in touch with the new owners (the insurance company that had paid out when it was stolen) and arranged to buy it back, at the same time sued the guy who sold it to me and got all my original money back. End result was I got the same van for a third of the price I originally paid....result.

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

I wouldnt its to much hassle / worry IMHO, especially when theres plenty of bikes for sale that will have their full compliment of documentation.

If the owners lost the V5 and can't be bothered to contact he DVLA to get a new one, what else couldnt they have been bothered to do...

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

It's the other way round (well at least vit is now anyway) I lost the V5 for my car and phoned up DVLA and they sent a new one out within a week. If you've just bought the vehicle they'll charge you £25, which is what I did for my ex's son a few months ago when we bought him a car as the owner had lost it

Re: Buying bike with no paperwork ?
 

bought a cople of bikes from auction in the past, mainly to break, but more reputable auction houses supply a sort of HPI on the frame for you even if it has no plate or docs with it.

so not a don't, just be careful where you do.

Cheers Mark.