Hi guys.

 

Back in May, I traded in my much-loved Focus RS MP350 for a new Subaru Sti.

 

A few months after owning/driving the Sti, I knew that I had made a big mistake - I really missed my RS.

The garage where I traded my RS in STILL had it for sale. The reason for this was quite simple - they were asking WAY too much money for the car. Another few months went by, and finally the price of the RS was reduced to the point that I managed to do a deal to get it back - giving them back the 6 month old Subaru and putting some money back into my pocket. Now the problems began......

 

Before doing the deal I asked if there would be another owner added to the V5. After all, no-one else had owned the RS in the time since I traded it in. I was told by the garage no, as there is a section on the V5 whereby you DON'T tick a box for a new keeper. The garage also issued a somewhat confusing letter to the DVLA explaining that I had taken back my old car and that therefore no new owner should be added. This was all sent in with a private-reg retention certificate to put my private plate back onto the RS.

 

As the weeks have gone by since the deal, I was getting concerned that I had heard nothing and still not received the logbook back in my name. So a few days ago I began calling the DVLA to see if anyone can shed-light onto what's happening.

 

I was told today that the hold-up has been because of the previous owners situation. But my main worry is that the DVLA told me today that another owner WILL be added onto the V5. So I will be in the ridiculous situation of being both the previous and current owner of the RS.

 

Can anyone help me with some advice? I'm thinking of just letting them do what they need to do, and when I finally get the V5 back maybe start some sort of appeal to remove an owner?

Edited 21 November, 201411 yr by Thehulkster

Ask the Dealer Again,  Did they have the car 'In Trade' and the DVLA having it as them being a Trader as 'the keeper' with the car.

 

Or was it in another 'Keepers' name?

 

Really though you were not 'The Keeper ' constantly,

so the break of Ownership & an extra Keeper is correct.  You were,  they were,  you are,

Edited 21 November, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

Yes, another owner will be added on. When you passed the car to the dealer it would have been registered to them as "In Trade", that means you are no longer the keeper but the garage is. When they sell the car on it comes out of "Trade" and placed into the new owners name. In your case that means the current and previous owner will be recorded as you.

 

The trigger for all of this is the part of the V5 you returned to the DVLA when you sold it to the dealer, the DVLA would have then written to you to say you were no longer the recorded keeper.

Oh nuts. This is not what I wanted to hear.

Ok. I've just called them again and it's now been handed to a specialist team who will be the decision makers on whether another owner is added to my logbook. Unfortunately that decision won't be rushed. Here's hoping that someone takes pity on me and helps.

Stupid question perhaps, but i'm curious, why are you concerned about an extra owner being entered? 

Stupid question perhaps, but i'm curious, why are you concerned about an extra owner being entered?

In theory, cars with fewer owners are seen as slightly more valuable , but unless a vehicle has changed hands a lot of times I wouldn't worry about it.

Because I was already the 4th owner when I last had the car. However, I knew the car from the owners club. Ford was the 1st owner, then a long serving RS club member, then he sold it to someone he knew who never drove it and decided to buy a Discovery. So when I took the car it only had 15k on the clock when I became the 4th owner.

If another owner goes on I will be the 5th (and 4th!) and the history/owners start to look a little dodgy/high? Would I buy an RS if I was going to be the 6th owner? I don't think I would.....but that's the position I'll be in when/if it comes selling time again. I suppose if I keep the car another few years it won't seem as bad?

What do others think please?

Edited 21 November, 201411 yr by Thehulkster

You are specialist buyers / enthusiasts so you have the cars full records, when you sell you explain to the buyer,

they buy on condition and history, not former keepers.

 

You are buying and selling a Collectors and Specialist car which is limited in how many are in Perfect Condition,

if yours is, then it will not matter how many previous keepers.

 

Accident Damage, bad repairs, previous Insurance Class stolen Recovered devalues more,

but even issues can be forgiven when a buyer sees a Perfect Car with an honest seller with the cars full record.

 

enjoy owning it again.

 

george

.....it will not matter how many previous keepers.

 

enjoy owning it again.

 

^^this  :sun:

You have only just got the car back after admitting it was a mistake to sell and now you are worrying what happens when you make a mistake and sell it again.

 

No seriously though I think George is spot on when he says " explain to the buyer they buy on condition and history, not former keepers". You must be delighted to have it back so good luck and enjoy .

I'd push for the DVLA to remove you as the additional owner. As you are aware a high owner RS isn't as desirable as a low owner. When I was looking I viewed a 6 owner that was 4k cheaper than the 2 owner. Albeit it had 9k more miles and no Lux pack compared to a lux 1 on the 2 owner but the number of owners must have lowered the value too. Because they are sought after and pretty rare people are always going to take a low mileage, low owner where possible. I know I shunned the 6 owner very quickly which was a lot to do with the number of owners, and if I hadn't drove the S3 which I ended up buying, I would have certainly got the 2 owner, in fact I was a day away from leaving a deposit when I stumbled across the Audi.

For me, who was a potential buyer, and most certainly will be in the future I would dismiss a high owner, unless it was cheap and I was certain of the history. Saying this, I do appreciate an RS is a 6 month car for a lot of people who just want to scratch the RS itch.

Id just let it happen.

It doesnt matter really.

When you come to sell it (and you're sure this time ) youll have to explain the situation.

And you get to sat 'its such a good car i wanted it back'

They'll understand (:

I wouldn't worry the way I look at it is its a performance car and some people don't tend to keep them long for several reasons.

Cost, insurance, fuel ive owned a car for 6months before just to say I've owned one.

People would be more worried about the history and condition

Appreciate all the views.

I'm a bit of a worrier/stresshead. It's the waiting that's worse, hoping it will end up good news.

I wouldn't worry to be honest.  Life is too short to worry about one extra owner on the V5 so simply drive the car and enjoy it.   If/when you come to sell then the condition of the car will speak for itself and the story makes for a more interesting history.

 

p.s. I know what you mean about worrying about stuff though, I go through phases and then have a word with myself.

People pay attention and worry about the number of Former Keepers.  (it is not former owners.)

 

A car might have 1 Former Keeper, a Manufacturer or Lease Company, and it can be a 'Management car',  Media / Press car,

Hire / Lease, Driving School, Race Fleet car etc etc.

 

1 Previous Keeper and 23 various drivers, or even 6 different drivers a day for the first 2 months as various Press & Motoring Journalists 

drive an EVO type motor.  ie a RS, GTI, R type vehicle.

 

You never know what a car does in its first few keepers / owners.

 

eg,

If you check various Registration Numbers of cars on Video & Roadtests online & in Magazines,

for say a 'Seat Leon Cupra 280',

White ones, Red Ones, Yellow ones,

You might see they come back as a 'Grey Seat Leon Cupra 280'.

 

george

Edited 22 November, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

You gave up ownership of the Focus for several months therefore you are a new owner.

The document declares "keepers" not owners.

 

If you came to sell the car again you could not be 100% sure how it was treated whilst outwith your hands.

I think it is correct to list you as an additional KEEPER although I guess you do not want to hear this.

Maybe the DVLA/VOSA will let you do as you wish but IMHO that would be incorrect. 

The car did no miles while up for sale. I know that much.

You do not know that.

 

You know that no miles show.

 

People have had cars Rung while at Traders.

Engines used in another car, and then replaced.

 

Far fetched but it happens.

 

So in your case you know.

But the Scheme & System is supposed to protect owners, 'Registered Keepers' Buyers.

 

A performance car Traded in, can go on a Forecourt, an other Branches Forecourt, go to Auction, be Bought by a Dealer and be back on a Forecourt 

at a Dealers,

& has  done hardly any miles, yet been all around the Country, 

 

At least you know where your car was....

& that it was not ragged dozens of times from cold,

for a few miles while filled with 95 ron supermarket petrol.

Edited 22 November, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

The former keeper section will be in your name. Just explain it to the buyer, it's not the end of the world.

Goneoffski - I'm pretty sure the extremely reputable Ford/Subaru dealer that I've dealt with for years won't have gone to the trouble of doing that with my RS while it was for sale. It I thought that not only would I have not bought my car, I wouldn't have dealt with them.

You were right with your own words. Far fetched.

There were two brand new conti tyres put on though. And a full years MOT.

Edited 22 November, 201411 yr by Thehulkster

Have you ever split up from someone you love and trusted.

Then got back together.

 

Best not try to find out what they did while you were separated.

Do not ask, look at Face Book or Google images. etc 'Plenty of Fish',  'Porn Hub'

 

Maybe do not look at where your RS has been.

Some Dealerships have Trackers on Demonstrators & Courtesy cars.

 

It is revealing just were Staff & Customers take a Loan Car & how they drive them............

Have you ever split up from someone you love and trusted.

Then got back together.

Best not try to find out what they did while you were separated.

Its usually best if they dont ask you either..

Dont want them knowing youve been racking up the numbers on your log book.

Well, I've finally got some closure on this. The DVLA have just called me to confirm that I will be both the previous AND current owner of my RS - therefore adding another owner on the V5.

Gutted - was hoping this wouldn't happen. I'm more cross because the Director of the Ford garage told me personally that this wouldn't happen. Guess it doesn't matter to them now as long as they got the car deal done. Lesson learned. Even worse is that due to all the messing about the 30 day window I had with my insurance to make changes has now lapsed, so when I finally get the ok to put my cherished plate on I'll get charged £35 for the pleasure.

If and when I come to sell the car in the future I'm sure this ownership issue will rear its head. Until the price is low enough to compensate the issue I suppose - but that's not good for me....

Thanks for all the comments/views guys.

Edited 25 November, 201411 yr by Thehulkster