CRIS Doc

[rob and jen]

My friend is about to buy a second hand van (first one) but has been told that many people do not transfer the name on the CRIS document. I am confused and concerned about this as I thought this was proof of ownership. A dealer has also confirmed that this is often the case.

The van owner has the previous owners details on the CRIS doc and said he never put his name on due to the £30 cost. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Gafferbill]

I would Simply not buy the caravan.

You can ask the seller to register the CRIS document in his name first as part of the deal.

If he declines then walk away

 

[Chrisbee]

When I bought my first caravan it was wasn't registered to the current owner or to the address where I collected it from although I was happy the person selling it actually lived at that address. When I asked about the CRIS document he gave me a blank stare as he had never heard of it and claimed that when he bought the 'van from a dealer, they hadn't mentioned it. He did supply the receipt from the dealer and I checked with CRIS but all they would confirm was that the 'van wasn't reported as stolen or as an insurance write-off. They wouldn't tell me who it was registered to so I could check myself that it wasn't stolen. Effectively that broke the chain as I couldn't register the van in my name without the document.

Whilst in my ownership it was stopped by the police in a routine caravan check and once again checked and was found to not be reported as stolen.

It was a super caravan and I was very glad I decided to buy it, selling it a few years later for nealy as much as I paid for it.

Don't dismiss a caravan out of hand if the seller can't supply the CRIS document BUT be very carefull. The buyer of my van was happy as I supplied photo's of me, my car and van at various sites over a number of years. At least he knew the van wasn't recently stolen.

 

[Rubix]

That's strange Chrisbee, We bought our 'van last year and we had no CRIS certificate with it, but I contacted CRIS (HPI) directly myself, and they allowed me to register and I think it was only

 

[Chrisbee]

About 6 years ago. They said I couldn't apply for a new document as in effect you could steal a caravan from storeage, apply for CRIS registration and then sell a 'van registered in your name before the legal owner knew it was missing. Perhaps it was because I couldn't supply them with the name of the registered keeper?

 

[Gafferbill]

When I bought my first caravan it was wasn't registered to the current owner or to the address where I collected it from although I was happy the person selling it actually lived at that address. When I asked about the CRIS document he gave me a blank stare as he had never heard of it and claimed that when he bought the 'van from a dealer, they hadn't mentioned it. He did supply the receipt from the dealer and I checked with CRIS but all they would confirm was that the 'van wasn't reported as stolen or as an insurance write-off. They wouldn't tell me who it was registered to so I could check myself that it wasn't stolen. Effectively that broke the chain as I couldn't register the van in my name without the document.

Whilst in my ownership it was stopped by the police in a routine caravan check and once again checked and was found to not be reported as stolen.

It was a super caravan and I was very glad I decided to buy it, selling it a few years later for nealy as much as I paid for it.

Don't dismiss a caravan out of hand if the seller can't supply the CRIS document BUT be very carefull. The buyer of my van was happy as I supplied photo's of me, my car and van at various sites over a number of years. At least he knew the van wasn't recently stolen.

A good insurer wants your caravan registered to your name and address with CRIS.

I bet you did not make a claim in the time you had the van.

You probably would have had problems!

Walk away because there are plenty of good secondhand caravans

with everything in order out there