Buying bike "awaiting" logbook

[Gouldylocks]

So I've been in touch with a private seller looking into buying an older 125 (1988), really fancy the bike the only issue is he says he is still waiting for the logbook to come back in his name, but it has a long MOT and needs taxing, has anyone got any advice for me regarding viewing/buying? The bike for the price is a bargain but obviously not if the police pull me my first time riding it,
Are there any more questions I should be asking him? I've got the registration number but don't know wether to be wary
Many thanks in advance!

[P.addy]

Taxing without a V5 is damn hard.

Riding without tax is "illegal"

I would wait till the V5 arrives or find another. 1988 bikes are old now surprisingly...

[Marmalade]

[JP7]

I'd be asking him how long he's had it, why he is selling it (especially so soon before he's received the V5, and if he's had it for a while, why he hasn't got one).

Ask him the direct question "Is there anything wrong with the bike?" because if he lies to you when you've asked him directly, then he leaves himself open to a claim if the bike isn't as described.

I appreciate it's an older bike but it's well worth doing a HPI check on it, make sure you cross-reference the result with the VIN on the bike.

It rings alarm bells for me as well, to be honest. I wouldn't be happy buying it without the logbook unless he has a really good explanation.

[Gouldylocks]

From what I've gathered he "does bikes up" pretty regularly, I've now learned he had the 'green slip' which I believe would allow me to tax it, and that he sent off for the logbook two weeks ago and is waiting for it to arrive. If I do the text check and everything's okay would it be okay to buy with the green slip?
Cheers for replies so far!

[-Matt-]

Better to wait really. If its just been done up to resell as the reason for short ownership id still be apprehensive - done up to an acceptable quick profit standard - or good buyable bike standard? And just how bad was it before he got it? Lot of potential problems id say

[lihp]

If you don't have the slip, it will take between 4 to 6 weeks to get the V5c and you can't tax it in that time, plus it will cost £25 to get it.

Don't buy without the V5c
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[instigator]

When I've bought the vehicle and not had the V5 through for a while, I just order the tax online and dont really care if the disc itself goes to the previous owner. Sometimes they send it on, sometimes they dont. I've never been stopped for failing to display a valid tax disc.

[Efes123]

The initial two things you're worried about (or should be), is a) has it been stolen, and b) has it been written off? You can get the answer to both of those with an HPI check.

Once you're happy neither of the above apply, then I'd want to know what work has been done on the bike. If he's "Done it up" then he should have a pile of receipts, or at least a work list of what's been done.

[P.addy]

[Marmalade]

Also ask what warranty it has.

Despite what he calls himself, if he buys bikes to 'do up' and resell, he is a dealer.
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[instigator]

[Efes123]