What to check - private purchase...

[tug100]

Hi guys. My friend has just put a deposit on a 2008 Avondale from a private seller and will be collecting it in the next few days.

All looks genuine - plenty of equipment and paperwork, viewed at owners home etc.

I have given some tips on what to look for before handing over the rest of the cash, but really would like to call on the help of the forum to put together a comprehensive 'what to check for' list.

Picking it up Friday 5th, so tips before then very welcome.

Thanks in advance

Martin

 

[dougie_374468830]

CRiS check and damp check. Everything else can be fixed

 

[J.Lo]

Check all the paperwork that should be with the van of this age the numbers on each window must match the number on the cris document which he must have and check they have not been altered in any way and you MUST COLLECT it from his home address. Members on this site will come up with more sugestions which you should take note of. J.Lo

 

[Mikey1]

Check that there is no outstanding finance on the van,not sure how to check on a van easy to do on a car.

If there is outstanding finace and he doesnt pay it off they will take the van off of you.

 

[TD42]

before you hand over money phone CHRIS with the chris number & check it out, get the chris no yourself from the windows ,It will cost you a small amount but better safe ect

Buy a cheap damp meter & check out the van under window seals in lockers along roof line,under beds in corners & along floor line,around all roof light ect Get the seller to connect up gas ,electric ,& water & check every thing works ok

check all panels for cracks particulary the front & rear plastic panel around the curves If there is the SLIGHTEST sign of stress cracks walk away

 

[tug100]

Thanks - keep them coming.

Anyone know how to do the check for outstanding finance??

 

[StephenAyrshire]

Hi Martin.

Get a CRIS check done on the caravan they will do an HPI check at the same time.

We did it after we bought, paid cash private sale, and the caravan was financed, Took ages and a lot of hassel to get the finance company and seller to refinace the loan to sellers personal name and remove finance from caravan.

Check it out - make the right choice

For less than

 

[tug100]

Was well worth the Cris check. Showed o/s finance, so the deal is off unless the seller clears the debt. Thanks for the advice, invaluable.

 

[Parksy]

Glad that you weren't caught out Martin.

For those who are considering buying a used caravan through a private sale CRiS offers a few pointers Here

 

[Surfer]

By the same token the HP could have given the seller permission to sell the caravan. The normal arrangement is that the buyer pays the HP direct via card and pays the balance into the sellers account. HP clears Hp immediately for buyer.

I know Black Horse do this and having done it myself a few years ago, there was no problm and every one was happy. However id the seller was not upfront about this I would be wary otherwise no reason not to buy the caravan as it may be a bargain.

 

[Mikey1]

Agree with Ian comments,maybe he had permission from the finance company and was going to pay it off after he received the money for the van.

Although if this was the case it would have been nice for him to tell you instead of you finding out in another way.