Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 10:56
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - lucklesspedestrian

Hi

A family member is going to look at a vehicle shortly being advertised privately on Gumtree.

Can someone remind me what the process is these days with tax and insurance should she decide to buy it? She would be insured 3rd party via her fully comp insurance on her other vehicle. Could she wait 'till she got home (about an hours drive) before going online and doing the necessaries with the DVLA?

Thanks

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:14
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - veloceman
Maybe worth checking the small print of the insurance policy.
Mine states I can drive any car that is not owned by me with 3rd party insurance.

But yes, you will need to tax it before you drive it home.
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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:24
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - gordonbennet

The last time we bought a car privately the seller let me use his laptop to tax the car, my laptop wouldn't connect to his wifi for some reason, insurance we did over the phone.

It would be unwise to assume your present fully comp would cover it, because that's meant for the rare times you drive someone else's car, and that right seems to be disappearing from policies now anyway, plus the vehicle must be insured in its own right to be on the road anyway, so best do it there and then to be safe.

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:30
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - badbusdriver

If the family memeber has time, you might want to get them to have a look at this,

www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/30484-mazda-bong...e

They are inherantly pretty reliable, but they also are known for certain issues, most serious being head gasket problems. And because of their age now, obviously need to be checked thoroughly for rust. As they were never officially imported into this country, and they would not have been undersealed for the home market, you are relying on it having been done when imported. Also, and i realise its probably a bit late for this, but don't get hung up on engine choice as the diesel is not particularly economical. The difference between it, the 2.0 petrol and the 2.5 V6 is marginal, so unless they plan to cover lots of miles, the mpg is not going to a big factor in running costs.

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:56
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - lucklesspedestrian

Thanks for that BBD, I was looking at that very guide just 20 mins ago, really useful. There seems to be quite a bit of info on the Bongos out there with the BongoFury site being particularly helpful. Obviously a bit of a cult vehicle The one we are going to look at is advertised as having been waxoyled underneath and yes, I'm aware of the head gasket issues, I'll try to check the coolant header tank and also the usual mayo under the oil filler cap. I'll also go over the body with a magnet and check for filler (looks like the rear sills and wheel arches are the usual culprits). The vehicle in question is the 2.5 diesel and yes, it seems to give about 24 around town, maybe 32 if lucky on a run?

Also, yes you're all quite right, we should check what the wording on the insurance policy is or even better just do it online or on the phone when we collect the vehicle (if we buy it)

I must admit to having some trepidation about this. I can just about muddle by when buying a standard used car but a 20 odd year old Jap import 4wd turbo diesel camper van takes me way out of my comfort zone! I suppose most of the usual common sense rules to buying a used vehicle all still apply.

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 15:30
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - badbusdriver

Thanks for that BBD, I was looking at that very guide just 20 mins ago, really useful. There seems to be quite a bit of info on the Bongos out there with the BongoFury site being particularly helpful. Obviously a bit of a cult vehicle The one we are going to look at is advertised as having been waxoyled underneath and yes, I'm aware of the head gasket issues, I'll try to check the coolant header tank and also the usual mayo under the oil filler cap. I'll also go over the body with a magnet and check for filler (looks like the rear sills and wheel arches are the usual culprits). The vehicle in question is the 2.5 diesel and yes, it seems to give about 24 around town, maybe 32 if lucky on a run?

Also, yes you're all quite right, we should check what the wording on the insurance policy is or even better just do it online or on the phone when we collect the vehicle (if we buy it)

I must admit to having some trepidation about this. I can just about muddle by when buying a standard used car but a 20 odd year old Jap import 4wd turbo diesel camper van takes me way out of my comfort zone! I suppose most of the usual common sense rules to buying a used vehicle all still apply.

I can understand your apprehension, but they are pretty robust and simple things at heart. Also, the Bongo (and its twin, the Ford Freda) are mechanically identical under the skin to the MK1 Ford Ranger and Mazda B2500 pickups, which were officially sold here. Same engine and running gear.

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:44
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - oldroverboy.

You cannot drive a vehicle you have purchased under those conditions.

The vehicle must be insured BY the current owner, and they won't allow you to drive it home on their insurance. if the vehicle is sold to you it isn't taxed anymore. so must be taxed before driving it. to tax it you need to insure it in the new owners name.

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 11:59
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - lucklesspedestrian

Yes, you're right of course. having mobile phones, internet connections, and call centres as we do these days, really shouldn't be an issue just to do it all there and then before we leave, thanks!

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 15:12
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - skidpan

She would be insured 3rd party via her fully comp insurance on her other vehicle.

For that to be valid the Bongo would need to be insurred. It will be clear in the T & C's.

With a smartphone its easy enough to tax the vehicle using the long ref on the V5C and a call to any insurance company (having researched prices previously will insure it before ypu drive away.

How hard can it be?

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 17:35
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - KJP 123

“She would be insured 3rd party via her fully comp insurance on her other vehicle.”

Isn’t that only true if there is still insurance on the other car?

Edit: That's weird Only the original post showed when I posted.

What was the point of the tax change? Govt. occasionally gets an extra month's tax but its causing a lot of hassle.

Edited by KJP 123 on 02/10/2018 at 17:43

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Tue 2 Oct 2018 20:25
Mazda Bongo - Buying privately, tax and insurance cover - Falkirk Bairn

DoC cover covers the driver of a car not belonging to him /her.

BUT the car needs to be insured.

I would not be sure DoC would cover driving a van/minibus.

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