Buying a Used Car with Mismatched Number Plates, Suspicious?

Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 09:51
Last edited 20/01/2017 - 11:06

We had a look at a van yesterday, and thought it was at a good price and my dad is willing to buy it at our agreed price.

But there are some things that are raising a red flag to me. The person who we spoke to was actually selling for a friend who is apparently in melbourne at the moment, so he's sent a signed slip to this person so it is ready to be passed on to a new owner.

Then there's the issue with the mismatched number plates. He doesn't seem to speak much english, but from what i can understand he didn't even know about the mismatched number plates and when asked about it he doesn't know why, even after asking his friend about it on the phone.

I've done the PPSR search to see if the car has been stolen or if there are any outstanding money on the car and it came back clean. I've also double checked the slip he showed me with the number plate and the VIN number in the actual car and they match up.

Is it safe to buy the car? My dad seems very keen to buy it, if not, what other precautions should i take?

Automotive

Comments

  • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 10:00

    Mismatched in that they are a different style, or mismatched that they show different information? I don't think a different style is a problem.
    I bought a car from a 'friend' of the owner, selling it for them, and it worked out ok, but if they are behaving fraudulently I don't think you will have any protection from the rightful owner reclaiming the vehicle, should they have forged the signature on the notice of disposal.

    • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 10:08

      Mismatched as in different number/info.

      I've purchased a car from a friend selling for an owner too and it worked out ok. So I was thinking it was okay to go. But the thing about forging worries me.

      • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 10:16
        +7

        I don't think I would buy under these circumstances.
        I can imagine lots of circumstances where a dodgy person could gain access to the vehicle and rego papers without permission of the real owner (e.g. in a share house or work colleagues). When they return and find their car missing, you could be left high and dry. You go back to the place where you met the "seller" and he isn't there and nobody knows what you are talking about.

        • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 10:54

          What if I got the owner to verify his identity/signature with photos of the licence and passport etc? What do you think?

          I'll definitely want a document with his signature to crosscheck it with the slip

        • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 10:57

          I should probably clarify what is mismatched. the front number plate is different to the the cars back number plate.

          I've done a lookup(on ppsr or whatever it's called) and the vin number of the actual car matches the slip he presented to me and the front number plate.

        • apple2016 on 20/01/2017 - 11:23
          +11

          @Hunga: I don't think you can drive a car legally with different number at front and back. I would certainly not buy a car with mismatched number plates.

          Every genuine seller wants to maximize the selling price of his/her car.
          This would mean the seller would have the car cleaned before an inspection and have the correct documents and definitely not have mismatched number plates. This would happen only if the seller wants to get rid of the car ASAP for what ever reasons (These reasons are usually not good). Just my 2c.

        • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 11:25

          @apple2016: Yeah I gotta agree with you and everyone else. I'll have to ask him to have the plates sorted out before we pay for it.

        • tomsco on 20/01/2017 - 14:22
          +5

          @Hunga: Nah, don't go ahead with it. Different rego on the back and the front is a huge warning sign. What mischief has the car gotten up to if they've mixed up the rego.

        • CandyMan on 21/01/2017 - 22:06

          @tomsco: rego must mach the vin

        • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2017 - 22:06

          @Hunga: Getting good proof of identity from the seller would be handy in getting the seller convicted, assuming they're still in the country.

          Not going to help you keep your money or vehicle though.

        • tomsco on 21/01/2017 - 23:57

          @CandyMan: I know that. What I'm saying is if the rear plates are wrong, how does OP know they didn't swap both over, broke a law and than forgot to switch one back?

        • diddy50 on 22/01/2017 - 11:55

          @Hunga:

          If this is the case, call the police? Call the rta or VicRoads.

          Any one can pretend to sign anything. Don't be a sucker.

  • supnigs super skids on 20/01/2017 - 10:02
    +1

    why dont you ask your vehicle registration place? what did they say?

    • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 10:11

      I haven't went and wasn't planning to. Should I go there and ask?

      • supnigs super skids on 20/01/2017 - 10:24

        if it were me I would. what you want to see is if either the plates were reported stolen. Then validate vin /engine number /plates with form. lastly validate that if the vehicle can be re-registered/accident

        • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 11:04

          I did do a ppsr check and it wasn't reported stolen and the vin matches up (I've actually opened up the engine to cross check it with the slip). I'm not sure if it's a big deal that there's a stray/missing back number plate.

        • holdenmg on 20/01/2017 - 11:10

          @Hunga:

          Well it says:
          "The number plates must match the details shown on the vehicle's Certificate of Registration."

          For vehicles, one number plate must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and another to its rear. If different in size, the larger number plate must be fitted to its rear.

          http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/plates-labels.h…

        • CandyMan on 21/01/2017 - 22:08

          @Hunga: if the other plate was stolen you will be liabke for any offence committed with that plate once you own it

  • holdenmg on 20/01/2017 - 10:14

    Do this:
    https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/mobile-app
    Free registration check – enter the plate number of any NSW registered vehicle to view registration status.

    http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/plates-labels.h…

  • c64 on 20/01/2017 - 10:39
    +2

    you really want to make sure you are buying it from the owner. you could lose all your money.

    • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 11:10

      Yeah, that's the biggest concern I have. According to my dad, you could just get another number plate.

      But I haven't actually met the owner.

      • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 14:43
        +1

        You can just get another plate if everything is above board.
        The question is, why are the plates different, and why didn't it get sorted out before.
        I can guarantee they haven't driven it like that - NSW cops have auto scanning now and they would be picked up within a day or so.

        • Euphemistic on 20/01/2017 - 15:40

          You can't guarantee that. Sure, the cop cars have a scanner, but it's not likely to pick up both ends of the same car and recognise that it's different.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2017 - 16:11

          You can just get another plate if everything is above board.
          The question is, why are the plates different, and why didn't it get sorted out before.

          +1 This.

          I'm personally very curious as to what their explanation might be for having two different rego plates on the car.

        • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 16:15

          @Euphemistic:
          But the incorrect one would set them off, although I suppose it might have come from a car that remains validly registered.

        • Euphemistic on 20/01/2017 - 20:41

          @mskeggs: I'm not so sure. AFAIK the system would only pick out the rego plates, not look at the type of vehicle as well. Sure, if the buzzer went off and the cop looked at his screen and saw it was listed as an unreg green hatchback then saw the plate was on a white van it would raise questions. But if the plate was registered I suspect the buzzer just wouldn't go off

        • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 23:38

          @Euphemistic:

          Agreed.
          If the plate was stolen, as opposed to being accidentally affixed because some super careless person had left an old plate on or something, then we can guess it would not trigger the cops because the victim car would have got replacement plates. But if it was an old plate carelessly left in place the cops would see it within a day or two.
          Basically, I am saying the plate mix up can't be an accidental thing because it would be detected straight away by the cops because there is no way for a legit plate to get affixed to another car except something shady, and expired or otherwise bad plates will get detected very quickly.
          So it screams dodgy.

  • Euphemistic on 20/01/2017 - 11:27
    +13

    Just walk away. If someone has gone tot he trouble of fitting a dodgy plate on a car, they are likely to have been up to no good. There are plenty of used cars to choose from. You might get this one cheaper, but end up with dramas if the vehicle has been used in a crime that won't registered on the PPSR.

  • kolorijo on 20/01/2017 - 12:24
    +6

    Not worth it, as the above said, just walk away. Plenty of cars on sale.

    • holdenmg on 20/01/2017 - 12:29
      +16

      some of them even have number plates that match front and rear. lol

  • Deviner on 20/01/2017 - 12:44
    +1

    You keep mentioning the reg check looks fine. What comes up when you check the rear plate online?
    And how would the seller explain why someone elses reg plate got on the back of the van?

    Unless it was done intentionally by the original owner in an attempt to be half as likely to get done by speed cameras? :)

    • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 13:17
      -1

      A bit silly of me, but i only realised that I shouldve jotted down the rear plate(wrong plate) just after I left.

      At this point the only explanation I can think of is that they are stupid or maybe the mechanic took it off while servicing or something and put the wrong plate. But it still needs to be sorted out

      • RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2017 - 13:58
        +4

        And where did you get the Vin number from? The plate on the firewall? These can be removed and swapped.

        Just too many red flags here. If the price is that good, then that in itself is another red flag. (interstate owner so you have no id to check the signature etc, poor english)

        Each on their own maybe ok, but keep adding them up, the risk to YOUR money grows.

        And you are looking for exuses for the owner when you say something stupid like this. (Stupid - Thats a friendly slap to help wake you up)

        maybe the mechanic took it off while servicing

        What needs servicing under the rear number plate, and what sort of mechanic would put the wrong plate back on - may have even forgot to put the wheel nuts on…

        • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 14:31

          And you are looking for exuses for the owner when you say something stupid like this. (Stupid - Thats a friendly slap to help wake you up)
          maybe the mechanic took it off while servicing

          I spoke to someone over at rms and they gave me that reasoning. I was told that it was illegal and it shouldn't happen in the first place, and like everyone else here said that the plates should be sorted out before it is purchased.

          I made it pretty clear that I'm not going to let my dad buy it without having the plates sorted out. I've only spoken to the guy once, I don't see the harm in speaking to him again and seeing if he can alleviate any of the concerns.

        • RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2017 - 15:15

          @Hunga: Thats good. You indicate that you will tread carefully, if at all.

          If you take most of the posts here, everyone being a True Ozbargainer, wants to help you, like others, save money.

          cheers 😀

  • pantsparty on 20/01/2017 - 13:31
    +6

    I wouldn't touch this. Even if its not stolen, I don't trust someone who tries to sell a car with mismatching licence plates. It just does not give me any confidence that the vehicle has been looked after.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2017 - 13:39
    -1

    In NSW, the seller can submit the disposal notice online. If the seller is willing to do that (I'm certain they can make these arrangements with their friend), it should be a safe purchase (given the clear PPSR).

    A new set of plates only costs $60 and you can probably get them the same day from an RMS office.

    If you're only getting the hand-written disposal notice, then I'd probably proceed with caution. Also, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2017 - 14:08
    +8

    Walk away
    Your gut has already told you about 5 times from reading your story
    There is no point dealing with the person anymore, it raises way too many different problems for you

    flags for me

    1. Friend of the owner, sure thats fine, still seems dodgy

    2. Two seperate plate numbers? am I reading this as in ABC123 and ABC231 or mismatched as in size differences?

    3. Price of the Car?

    4. Handling handwritten reciepts, there are forms online to dispose of a car, even when I sold my car I did up a nice reciept, had the rego transfer pages filled out and also had proof of car was roadworthy ready to go.

    5. Friend of the owner, once again makes me think this car is hot, part of a something much deeper than the seller is letting on

    6. VIN information, anybody can chop shop a VIN in about 30 seconds, I would be running both plates with the police, also take photos of the car in future for record purposes, this then gives the police something to work with in case the car is from a chop shop job.

    Don't buy it, I have always bought cars from reputable second hand dealers, yeah I know I pay more and probably not the ozbargain way, but most of the purchases have been good trouble free and only 1-2k more than private sale, that I can live with getting a stat warranty even if its for 90 days.

    • Butt Scratcher on 20/01/2017 - 14:35

      Yeah, it's starting to look that way. The VIN wasn't embedded in the car or anything, it was just a plate. Maybe if only one of these red flags were present it might be okay, but all of this doesn't add up at all.

      My dad just seems so keen, as he really needs a van for work at the moment.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2017 - 17:21
        +2

        Needing a van vs rushing to purchase something leaving you cashless and potentially committing a crime you don't know about

        Your dad should have experience with selling and buying and no disrespect towards him but if he takes this van based on price and needing something in a hurry then I would be calling it a foolish decision

        There are too many factors that worry me with this sale , the fact an original owner is not present is one alarm bell, the fact it's cheap and has separate plates is alarm bell too, the fact it's probably a quick sale and they're pressuring the sale upon your dad is number 3

        I use the 3 strikes rule when second hand shopping

        1.price asked for vs Redbook for the same year model and similar kms (obviously give or take based on age and km), if it's too low what's wrong with it, if it's too high why are they justifying the price (perhaps it's got a recent rego, new tyres, engine rebuild etc always ask for paperwork of any major service for the car to ensure it's been looked after)

        1. Seller having all paperwork ready, allowing you to drive the car, inspect it with a friend, all checks work out, allow you to make safe deposit options and has transfer ready to go

        2. Log books are completed (with paper work to back up seller claims), engine bay looks well looked after, general appearance of the car, you can easily tell a owner that shows care of the car / whatever vs someone who just wants money, use bargaining skills and take someone experienced with cars as there are many faults and lemons particular to makes and models and making sure you don't take on someone's problem is the best thing you can do

        I always ask or pay for a second opinion on a car my heart is set on, I've done some good deals and had some near misses with cars that didn't meet the standards of further inspection and saved me getting burnt on a deal

        Don't get caught up in the one van
        Shop around if you can and see if you can find a seller who is a little less dodgy

        Once you take ownership the problem becomes your issue and you don't want to make a bad decision with a vehicle that could hide a much deeper secret than the seller is letting on

        All things can happen from this
        It may of been used illegally
        It may of been stolen and plates changed
        It may be the target of attacks from other people if they know the plates / van appearance etc
        It could even be a setup

        Walk away and don't be afraid to say no

  • Daabido on 20/01/2017 - 14:29
    +4

    "Selling for a friend" = See you later. No exceptions, no matter how good the deal is.

  • fruit on 20/01/2017 - 14:56

    Let me guess OP has no insurance either? What is with so many people willing to do dodgy deals for a "bargain"?

    i can understand he didn't even know about the mismatched number plates and when asked about it he doesn't know why, even after asking his friend about it on the phone.

    How can the "owner" not know why the plates are mismatched?

    Just call your local cop shop and report it as sus.

  • Deviner on 20/01/2017 - 15:06

    Just bear in mind that you could easily rob, say, a white transit van… sit on it for a month or two, keep an eye out for other white transit vans - rob their plate(s)… and stick them onto your stolen white transit van.

    VIN is a little more involved, but if it's only a plate.. they're removable.

    You've more to lose than you have to gain in this one I think.

  • aussieprepper on 20/01/2017 - 15:38

    As every one else has said leave it!
    Could of been used in dodgy situation or could have been in a smash and they changed the bumper and left the other plate on. Who knows just dont make it your problem!

  • PVA on 20/01/2017 - 16:24
    +1

    walk away.
    This is way too dodgy.

    Selling it for a friend and wrong number plates is too risky.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2017 - 17:23
    +3

    I bet the OP buys it even after we tell them to walk away

    I'm seriously waiting for the next post to say car being repossessed by the police due to stolen report

    Just waiting tbh

    • mskeggs on 20/01/2017 - 23:49

      I know what you mean, and have occasionally been guilty of it myself.
      The deal being offered is so good I rationalised that of course this guy sold his legit VCR at the pub on a Friday evening, rather than Wednesday in the Tradingpost.
      On reflection, I'm sure (*note, not confessing any crimes) I have bought a stolen video player, whether I bought it from the thief or the guy he sold it to, or some number of transactions down the track. The downside of buying a car with an uncertain provenance is the owner is in a much better place to reclaim it, leaving you out of pocket.
      My dodgy VCR got replaced by a shop bought one after a few years cause it got worn out and they were cheap. People tend to take cars more seriously, so you might always be at risk of a repossession etc.

  • Seraphin7 on 21/01/2017 - 10:12
    +1

    Dodgy AF.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2017 - 13:35
    +2

    The OP is prove that at least one is born everyday.

    Sorry but I have no time for stupidity.

    DON'T BUY THE CAR.

  • Butt Scratcher on 21/01/2017 - 16:35
    +1

    Not sure why everyone started assuming that i'm going to buy it. I don't see any harm in sussing it out.

    Spoke to the friend and owner this time he had a buddy of his to translate.I prodded to see how far they would be willing to take it. Owner was prepared to do it online instead, that way there isn't any risks of forgery. As a sign of good will, he sent me his car licence. The friend who is selling was also willing to give me a copy of his ID and a written note.

    I had a closer look at the car today, the back number plate was not registered which is very suss at this point as someone above mentioned the cops would pick it up really quickly if it was scanned on the road. I'd agree with this.

    I also had a closer look inside the car and found those mini spanners that seemed to be the size that is used to undo the number plates.

    After close inspection, to me it looks like these friends of his have been up to some shady stuff while the owner was gone. I think the owner is possibly legit, because in the background of his licence it looked like he had some tools, so he would've likely used the van for legitimate work reasons. But the shady buddies of his is a no go, the spanner to me indicates that they have been tampering with the number plates

    • mp3police on 22/01/2017 - 00:09

      dont be a fool and just walk away. what is the van and the price?

      • Butt Scratcher on 22/01/2017 - 00:41

        As far as cars go, it's worth very little.

        But that isn't our main concern, it's the shady nature of the car. I don't think there's anything that can be said to explain that so I've asked my dad to look else where.

        • aussieprepper on 23/01/2017 - 03:26

          Maybe the car was in a crash? Any frame damage? Maybe they bought a bumper from a car that was unregistered but still had the plate on?

  • Skramit on 21/01/2017 - 21:56
    +5

    So much nope.

  • DrDollar on 22/01/2017 - 07:45

    Do you know if the seller might actually be a trader?

    One of the plates could be the trader's plate hence the difference, one real plate, one trader's plate. Unsure why but i think so they can drive the car around in some situations if the rego had expired at some stage.

  • airtime on 22/01/2017 - 09:20

    Apart from all the other red flags, the differing registration plate numbers is a huge 'RUN AWAY, DON'T LOOK BACK' sign.

    When you purchase a vehicle like this you are also transferring the registration plates into your name. But you don't know where one of the two plates is! You will potentially be liable for whatever that missing plate does and I'd love to be in the court room when you tried explaining to a judge the story of buying a vehicle with mis-matching registration plates. They'd say it's not reasonable to expect someone would be that stupid.

    There are thousands of vehicles on the market to buy. Leave this one and look elsewhere. You have a lot more to lose here than just a value of the vehicle.

  • syousef on 22/01/2017 - 09:23
    -1

    I'm reading these discussions purely for the amusement factor at this point. The questions keep getting stupider. I have no idea if they're real. It's like the Ozbargain reality TV show, only in text form.

    OF COURSE YOU SHOULD WALK AWAY. ARE YOU HIGH?

  • diddy50 on 22/01/2017 - 12:00

    Man, how is this even a question worth considering?

    Don't be the next sucker. There are thousands of cars for sale. Price to good to be true? Yeah it is. Bloody dodgy.

    Just walk away. Slap your dad across the head for even considering it haha.

  • WaterMark on 22/01/2017 - 13:39

    This reminds me of a situation my brother's friend went into. The story goes the owner pretend to sell a car claiming it's a friend signed and all. They call this "friend" (claiming to be original owner) saying he authorise this guy to sell him/her car. Then when you pay cash they immediately flee the country (usually on travel visa or don't want to come back on Australian passport etc.). Even though you have the car, the original owner reports the car to police as stolen which in turn the police confiscate the car and impound it. They investigate and you can't prove the original owner sold you the car (may be on holiday overseas and therefore cannot be present to sign and sell you the car). Since his "friend" sold it (whom cannot be found) you would end up you being out of pocket because technically it was stolen from him whilst on holiday. Hope it helps.

  • CJ on 22/01/2017 - 14:12

    If it is stolen, it doesn't matter if you can prove you have bought it, the car will be taken off you. So I wouldn't even risk it.

  • HeWhoKnows on 22/01/2017 - 19:55

    I recently bought a car that was good on PPSR but heaps of other things didn't add up. Like the compliance dates on the plate were different to the motor registry dates. I couldn't prove it but I reckoned it had done heaps more kilometers than it had on the dial even though PPSR said so speedo wind back. Let your conscience guide you.

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