Buying From Private Sellers

You have very few legal rights if you have bought the vehicle from a private seller rather than a dealer.

The vehicle doesn't have to be of satisfactory quality. However, if the seller offers a description of the vehicle, it must match the description given. It must also be roadworthy and the seller must have 'good title' to the vehicle...ie their name and address on the V5 registration Document . This means that they must be the legal owner in order to sell it to you.

If the vehicle doesn't match the description given, you may be entitled to compensation. You may also be entitled to compensation if you have bought an unroadworthy car from a private seller, which has caused injury to someone. However, it may be especially difficult to get compensation from a private seller.

You will only be able to claim against a private seller for one of the following reasons:
- the vehicle doesn't match the description they gave you
- the seller broke a specific contract term
- the seller was actually a dealer posing as a private seller
- the seller did not have good title to the vehicle
- the vehicle is unroadworthy.

Things to Keep In Mind

Why is the car for sale ?
If it's too good to be true ....it probably is !