can anyone explain how a non-resident non-citizen with no fixed address should go about buying a car in england?

specifically, i would buy a registered vehicle with MOT paid, so i need this transferred. then, what do i do about getting insurance?

i looked at compare.com and another insurance website but both ask for a postcode. should i just list the adderss of a backpackers or B&B?

i plan to dump the car in switzerland or germany when i'm done with it. i assume i can just chuck the keys & post the rego plates back to england?

btw, if anyone wants a real cheap car to drive back to england from geneva from 27 january let me know.

thanks in advance
d

what car do you have in mind?

When you buy the car the old owner will need to send off the papers, just give a backpackers address. You will get the new reg papers within 3 weeks, usually 2 weeks, then you are free to go.

also you dont need to send the keys and the reg plates back in Geneva, just leave the car in a car park

any car that runs, for around 300 quid. probably a small hatch.

i don't want to wait 2-3 weeks for the papers. only gonna have the car a month.

can i use the previous owners rego papers & get insurance?

If you dont have time then you can go down a local DVLA office and get a temp registration, check dvla website for closest office.

Try and get insurance for 1 month only, search online i know there are couple companies offering temp cover

Or pay for a year's then get a refund when you cancel. You should get back pro-rata, less an admin fee.

I sold lots of old junk cars in holland (rest of europe should be the same) for scrap when I was skippering boats back to the UK as it worked out cheaper than going back for the car. I always got 100 euros for them but they wanted to see the v5 (registration paper). hope this helps

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The DVLA ( Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency)computer sytem is now heavily integrated with both the PNC ( Police National Computer) and the Association of British Insurance Companies. If you buy a used car from either an individual or a dealer you will be given the part of the V5(c) which transfers the registered keeper details of the vehicle. You can use this document to get an Insurance cover note for travel in the U.K. BUT you will more than likely have to prove your residence address ( a services bill like electricity or gas or phone, or a rent book if in rented accommodation.) and show your full driving licence.

The other part of the V5(c) document is sent to the DVLA by the previous registered keeper ( legal requirement). The DVLA will then re- register in your name and send out a new V5(c) to the address you provided. If it doesn't get delivered to you, because you have used a false address , there is an odds on chance that the Police will be after you very quickly ( undesirable elements like terrorists or criminals use similar methods, and the system has been tightened up considerably over recent years)

If you want to get Insurance cover for overseas travel with the vehicle,( Green Card) it must first be registered in your name at a valid U.K. address, and you must travel with the full registration document.( It is a legal requirement in Europe to travel with all relevant documents, licence, registration document and full insurance, at all times when in the vehicle.)


If you dump the vehicle as you suggest, you could be traced through the known documents and your drivers licence details given to the insurance company, and you could get a hefty bill for it's disposal. ( If you think I'm joking, someone I'm acquainted with who dumped their vehicle at Limoges airport car park and left France, was traced back to Scotland and was sent a bill for over €1500 for it's removal and subsequent disposal.)

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Not really possible/worthwhile to do for a months ownership, as for just dumping the vehicle and walking away scrap it properly, who do you think will foot the bill the bill for it's disposal if you cant be traced? why should the residents taxes where you leave it be used.