-
The V5 booklet contains all of the information on the vehicle and it’s registered keepers details.
There’s also a section for new owners. You fill out your details in the booklet, you get to keep a little slip from it as proof, a sort of receipt. Then the old owner sends off the paperwork and you should receive a new V5 with your details in the post from the DVLA.
(Having never bought a car myself either but have bought 2 motorbikes)
I'm probably about to buy a cheap car and while I know how to drive a car well and probably have more understanding of how they work than most I've never actually bought my own car, so I have no idea what I'm doing.
How does it work with transferring ownership? You give them the money, then they do it? Or do you do it? I think you basically need to use this page but not sure who's meant to do it: https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle
And if it's the seller, what if you give them the money then they don't do it?
What do people generally do about private seller test drives? You need to get insurance right? Who's cheap to cover a half hour test drive?
(This is complicated somewhat by social distancing).
I know tax isn't transferable now so you need to tax it once you've bought it over the phone or online with the DVLA. And obviously you need to get it insured. And I'd need to buy a parking permit from the council so I can park it outside my house.
Is there anything else? It's surprisingly hard to find all this info in one place.
I'd ask my Dad which is what I imagine most people do when they buy their first car but I want to rock up in my banging new motor and surprise him!