Selling a car on behalf of someone else - dodgy?

[2Btoo]

Sensible suggestions needed here chaps ....

... my octogenarian father in law has decided it's time to hang up his car keys and not drive his old Skoda Fabia any more. And he has asked me to sell it for him.

I'm delighted to help him (although with a heavy heart as I know he liked driving in his day) but am concerned about how it could look to sell a small car where I am not the owner and the registered address is 80-odd miles away.

Others must have come across this before but any suggestions about how to go about it would be welcomed. A signed letter from aforementioned FiL, with his home address at the top of it would be a good start and I'll suggest that to him. I will obviously mention it up-front to anyone who may be interested in the car. Any other suggestions welcomed as well.

Thanks.

[Ussrcossack]

As you've said be open and honest.

You see lots of adverts like this selling for my parents, not unusual

[carinaman]

Mates did it. I was a bit annoyed they didn't offer it to me but their elderly parents should have really stuck with their MK1 Yaris rather than trading it in for the larger MK2.

It's a perfectly valid reason to be advertising and selling a car on their behalf. It wouldn't put me off and it doesn't come across as dodgy at all.

What have WBAC quoted? That may be easiest and relatively hassle free.

[SD_1]

I did this recently - sold a family member's 2006 Mini (so a cheap car) on facebook marketplace and it was registered 100 miles away. Got a lot of interest as it was priced keenly, and no one questioned it. I was very upfront about the situation, although it probably helped that we have the same surname.

[123DWA]

As long as its all above board I really wouldn't give it much thought. If somebody wants to dis-believe you or interrogate you then let them buy a car off somebody else. IME though not many people check the V5 at all, I sold my car from my house last year and I realised when getting the paperwork out I'd never put the car into my name after buying it. 2 people came and looked at the car and 1 of them even looked at the V5 and neither spotted it was a different name and an address that was 60 miles away!

[Superflow]

For me it depends on what type of fellow he is ,if easygoing then okay but if you’re going to get hassle from it I wouldn’t get involved and decline the invitation.

No good deed...

[vikingaero]

If someone posts in the original ad that they are selling the vehicle on behalf of their elderly relative then I would have not problem. I'd make my mind up when viewing to see if things match up - trustworthy seller or wide boy etc.

[2Btoo]

Guys,

Thanks. All much as I thought.

Superflow, fair point but if it's my father-in-law then I'll do what I can to help him. I'm not questioning motive here.

[Shaw Tarse]

You should qualify for free PH ads,
but I'd say check how much WBAC etc will offer?

[Superflow]

2Btoo said:

Guys,

Thanks. All much as I thought.

Superflow, fair point but if it's my father-in-law then I'll do what I can to help him. I'm not questioning motive here.

You’re right I watched an old episode of One Foot In The Grave recently and were probably thinking of old Meldrew!.