Can't get the V5 for our new car for another three months - is this normal? | Ask Honest John

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Can't get the V5 for our new car for another three months - is this normal?

My daughter recently purchased a pre-registered Renault Scenic. She paid cash. She was never presented with the V5C to countersign for transfer of ownership. She has subsequently enquired about the V5C from the dealership and was told "we hang onto it for three months and then it goes to the DVLA". This sounds odd. What is your advice?

Asked on 14 July 2012 by MC, Trefnant, Denbighshire

Answered by Honest John

It's because the car was either part of a fleet order or is a garage demonstrator, and the deal between the manufacturer and garage is that the car must remain registered to the fleet or to the garage for three months before it can pass to a new keeper. I hope she got a substantial discount because if she didn't, this is wholly unacceptable. The garage will have made an excess profit on the car and has not given any of it to her.

Tags: buying a new car registration transfer

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