Selling a car to someone abroad

[viz007]

Hi All
Im in the UK and have had an inquiry about my E24 that is advertised online for sale from a guy in Spain. We have arranged a date/time next week and he says he is flying over especially to view it and would be flying back the same day. If he decides to buy it, he has said he would leave the car with me but pay a £500 cheque as a deposit and would then send the balance by bank transfer once he is back home. Once all the payments have cleared, he would then arrange for transport to collect the car from me.

I am not a car dealer or experienced in selling cars so feel a little uncomfortable with this unusual arrangement. I have already said that if on the day he decides to buy the car that I would insist on taking a copy of his passport and some proof of address for when I inform the DVLA of the sale. Can any of you see any potential scams here or suggest any other precautions I should take.

thanks

[Cloggy Saint]

Can't really see a problem with that, if anything he's leaving himself open to be scammed, not that I'm suggesting you would. If the deposit cheque clears and he's willing to wait until the balance has cleared before collecting then I don't see what can go wrong.

[Speedtouch]

Any particular reason why he couldn't do a bank transfer on the spot if he agrees to buy the car?

[viz007]

He seems genuine, he's already sent me all his ID without hesitation. I'll push for full payment by bank transfer if he decides to buy it.
He's flying in, will have a max of 1 hour here viewing the car before he has to rush back across london to the airport! Seems mad to me but fingers crossed!
Thanks

[paultv]

Just to say that a cheque drawn from a Spanish bank, if that's the case, will take around twenty days to clear your UK account.

You can also use an escrow service where the money is held by a 3rd party until the deal is done.


Paul

[brutus]

well said paul,
,,,, and weird that hes almost out of time when coming over to see this ,,,,
and just check with bank that over
seas bank transfers cant be returned,
and take picture of who & detais & vehicle who picks the car up.

[viz007]

It all went through ok in the end. When he came to view the car he and his wife got out the taxi, looked at the car for 5 mins and started the engine, didn't even take it for a drive and then gave me a UK cheque deposit and said they had to rush back to the airport. He signed something to say sold as seen etc. They were a lovely couple both in their 70's and he said he had owned 2 e24s before, they were obviously both well off. The cheque cleared and the rest was received by bank transfer from his UK account. Just over a week ago, the vehicle transport he had arranged took it away and it's now in Malaga! All's well that ends well and I'm sure they will enjoy it!

Thanks for all your advice everyone!

[Foe]

Love a happy ending and glad it worked out. No wonder he didn't take it for a test drive, that's a beautiful car!!