"one private owner" AND "VAT qualifying" ?
"one private owner" AND "VAT qualifying" ?
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Darinz

Original Poster:

190 posts

89 months

Thursday 27th May 2021
quotequote all
Hi all,

I am browsing cars (as always). We all know since the privacy changes previous owner info on V5 is redacted so you cannot tell if it was a company owner or a private owner anymore. Obviously a trader might show you the V5 in which case you can see if it was a private owner but I have noticed this scenario more than once:

Trader says "only one private owner" or similar. Obviously a meaningless claim but is implying the car was bought by an individual from new and used by that individual/their family.

However, they then later say (or say elsewhere) "VAT qualifying".

e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144020531230

Now, I have always understood VAT qualifying can only apply to a car/vehicle that has had the VAT reclaimed by the original owner, and therefore paid on the sale to the trader. Therefore the sale is still subject to VAT, and if another business buys it and can reclaim the VAT, they can do so.

By comparison a normal sale that has been through the hands of a private owner, the VAT is paid but cannot be reclaimed and therefore the car then is no longer VAT qualifying, and traders selling the car in the future deal on margin scheme for VAT (and a business buyer cannot reclaim VAT at all)

My point is, this seller claiming both "one private owner" AND "VAT qualifying" must be telling porkies and the original owner will be a company?
(most likely a leasing company or rental company in the case of cars, obviously any business in the case of vans/pickups etc)

Would appreciate someone with expertise to confirm this or correct my understanding!

Cheers - D


Mandat

4,586 posts

266 months

Thursday 27th May 2021
quotequote all
Could have perhaps been a VAT registered sole trader, hence no limited company?

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,975 posts

263 months

Thursday 27th May 2021
quotequote all
Maybe it's a slight slip in terms.

Actually owned by a lease company/finance, but only "owned/driven" by one driver.

123DWA

1,436 posts

131 months

Thursday 27th May 2021
quotequote all
As said above, probably a lease. I know BMW UK register the V5 to the driver on some of their deals meaning the V5 shows 1 private owner but it is also VatQual as BMW reclaimed it.

Darinz

Original Poster:

190 posts

89 months

Friday 28th May 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, seems I am thinking along the right lines.