BristolUK

neilcumming

I forgot to mention the DVLA will send you your VC5 by post, used to be called log book. Also the license plates come with the car they are unique to that vehicle. Wnen you buy a car you can check its MOT history online search " check MOT" and enter license plate number and will also show if it has road tax . If you are buying a car privately most people just take it for a test drive but if you know a mechanic take him along with you . Buying from a used car lot probably prices will be higher, some places may have checked the car over as part of the service.

Lion in Winter

I'd give that a try.

Lion in Winter

Thank you. Given that I know nothing at all about cars, and don't know any mechanics either yet, there may be value in getting one that has been checked over.

MartynK

The AA (Automobile Assoication) and RAC (Royal Automobile Club) both offer vehicle inspection services and, I think, background checks (theft, write off, outstanding payments and a few other things). I don't know what they charge but the details are online. Might be worth a look?

Lion in Winter

Definitely worth a look, I had no idea. Thank you.

brits1

As SOS mention we used Aviva and had no problems they asked if I had any no claims bonus from the overseas insurance (which I had) and the quote was excellent from Aviva I was with them for many years, I have only just changed to the AA. Good luck

scrubbedexpat142

A minor point but probably worth tucking away in your memory bank.

The DVLA registration document establishes that you are the "keeper" of the car but is not proof of ownership. This has to be demonstrated by the purchase / sale documents.

Lion in Winter

Thank you. I had heard of Aviva and Marshmallow as being helpful to repats.

Lion in Winter

Thanks. My memory bank is currently a bit full. Please hold, and this piece of information will be stored as soon as possible in the order in which it was received.

scrubbedexpat142

Thinking on, the point of immediate interest is that, when buying a car, a V5 from the DVLA does not prove that the "seller" actually owns the car & therefore has the right to sell!

Lion in Winter

Gotcha, thanks.

So no buying from the guy propping up the bar in the pub across the street then.

brits1

We sold my dads car using a free car advertising site, it might of been gum tree or auto trader (I know it was a free advertising site) we had plenty of offers but met up with a guy (who had come from the SW) in Wilmslow (a stop off for the train journey he had to make) my dads car had a full Mazda car service history, he filled in the transfer forms (he could not come with us) we exchanged the car etc with the guy and it was as simple as that, we got more money selling it ourselves and it was very straight forward.

ianandhelena

Also try NFU Mutual for car insurance: https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/insuranc...car-insurance/

jjmb

Reading your posts as we plan to move back to Scotland in 2024. Re: driving license. We both have our old pink paper licenses. Do we send them in and get the new plastic card ones, or will we need to resit a test? We last lived in the UK in 2000.