Is an insurance certificate necessary to register a new car?

Does a motor dealer need an insurance certificate to register a new vehicle?
My wife is buying from a dealer 250 miles away, she got a good deal in return for registering the new car by 31st March.

However, we cannot collect the car until 15th April. We will switch our car insurance on 15th April, and pay for the car on collection.

The dealer wanted us to arrange free Vauxhall insurance to provide him with an insurance certificate to register the car on 31st March, but Vauxhall will only insure from 15th April.

Does he really need an insurance certificate to register the car in my wife's name, or is something else going on here?

Asked on 28 March 2011 by Richwat

Answered by Honest John

Yes. He can register and tax the car in his own name on his trade insurance, but he cannot register and tax it in your name on his trade insurance.

Tags: registration insurance new cars

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