Buying second hand not through a dealer

[snoopay]

Hi all,

Just wondered if you have any tips at all when buying second hand ribs/pwcs - does anyone know of a way of checking HIN numbers on a craft if not buying through a dealer where you can check hull year and that it is not stolen etc? I know it's not very commercial orientated but wondered if any of you have experience of this at all or heard of anything!

Thanks all in advance!

[thomas]

I'd say even buying through a dealer or broker you still need to check things out yourself.

Have a read through http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/more-adv...ely-51455.html

[Tim M]

Googling the HIN or serial sometimes brings things up if they've been reported stolen. We tracked one of my stolen engines down to Poland by someone who had done this after viewing the engine out there with the view of buying it. If it seems dodgy, it probably is! I also do things like Google the vendors name, phone numbers, email address, address etc and see what comes up.

[Nos4r2]

Yep.

If the seller has a paper trail it's a good indication that something isn't nicked. Useful if you need to prove VAT paid as well.

[Dry Run]

If you want to be as safe as possible I would suggest you get: -
An MCA bill of sale (transferring ownership to you)
A proper contract (explaining what is included in the sale (warps, fenders, nav equip, etc)
Something that shows vat has been paid at some point in the past
An engineers report on the engine (normally less than £50 to plug it in to a computer and download)
Proof of services, repairs, etc
Checking the HIN and engine number (with the engine manufacturer) is also a good idea.
Good Luck!