Scrapped secondhand vehicle with papers

[Strusbob]

Howzit.

I'm looking to buy a cheap runaround for the fam soon and have been wading through a large collection of ads to find something suitable. However, I've seen a lot of vehicles which are for sale with papers but have been scrapped due to licences being out of date. Is it worth looking at these as an option, and if so, what would the procedure be for getting it on my name, along with potential costs involved? Anything I need to keep an eye out for so as not to be conned into a deal?

Also, is it worth buying a vehicle that has papers but is not registered in the seller's name but still registered in the previous owner's name? Sounds to me like a lot of potential headache.:wtf:

Any pointers/advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Venomous]

cars that were scrapped are often registered as rebuilds when you register them. Most insurance companies won't insure those. You need insurance to cover at least for other vehicles incase of an accident, even if you don't insure your own.

 

[Strusbob]

So even if the car wasn't actually rebuilt it is registered as such and can't be insured? That's a bit dumb, but good to know nonetheless. Thanks!

 

[wetkit]

If it is just for farm use, you do not need to have papers for it.
Just make sure the engine and chassis numbers match the old licence disk and go to the police for a clearance, to make sure it was not stolen.
Then check with the traffic department if it was indeed scrapped, as you would not like to pay backdated licence fees.
If all that is done, you good to go.

If you what the car registered then you in for a loooong battle.

 

[Fazda]

If you are looking to pay back fees on licence, then you could be in for a shock.

Bottom line, if the papers are not in order, unless the car is a one off gem, it's not worth the hassle.

 

[spiderz]

2nd hand car - papers must be in order and it must be able to pass a road worthy, else you're in for a lot of hassles.

I bought a Land Rover series 3 for very cheap with paper. Came with the engine on the back.
Still busy getting it to a road worthy state, but the back fees on the licensing is already R3.5k.

 

[Strusbob]

If you are looking to pay back fees on licence, then you could be in for a shock.

Bottom line, if the papers are not in order, unless the car is a one off gem, it's not worth the hassle.

2nd hand car - papers must be in order and it must be able to pass a road worthy, else you're in for a lot of hassles.

I bought a Land Rover series 3 for very cheap with paper. Came with the engine on the back.
Still busy getting it to a road worthy state, but the back fees on the licensing is already R3.5k.

Alrighty, thank you. So, bottom line is then that if it is scrapped it won't be worth the hassle, and that it must be licensed and on the seller's name otherwise it'll be another set of headaches on top of everything else. I'm guessing a licence that's behind a couple of months is not a train smash... Most important thing is legit papers in seller's name and a vehicle that is roadworthy. Cheers and thanks!

 

[chrisc]

The SAPS have auctions now and then. About 1 car in 100 will be worth considering. Then there is Birchmore's auctions in Paarden Eiland. I have been there with friends and have bought 6 cars from them. No absolute duds and we steered clear of BMW, Renault and Mercedes.

 

[Strusbob]

The SAPS have auctions now and then. About 1 car in 100 will be worth considering. Then there is Birchmore's auctions in Paarden Eiland. I have been there with friends and have bought 6 cars from them. No absolute duds and we steered clear of BMW, Renault and Mercedes.

Had I the funds for an auction I'd be there yesterday mate. Thanks for the info though, good to know. Cheers.

 

[The_Ogre]

Guys, where do you get the information that if you have a rebuilt car then it won't be insured?

I've been with Outsurance, MiWay and now with A&G and they have NEVER, EVER asked me for the vehicle's papers. One of our vehicles was stolen and recovered (well, technically not stolen - we lent it to a guy and he just didn't bring it back after a few weeks, so I reported it stolen!) and we were issued a new VIN and we still managed to get it insured with absolutely ZERO hassles.

 

[Fazda]

Guys, where do you get the information that if you have a rebuilt car then it won't be insured?

I've been with Outsurance, MiWay and now with A&G and they have NEVER, EVER asked me for the vehicle's papers. One of our vehicles was stolen and recovered (well, technically not stolen - we lent it to a guy and he just didn't bring it back after a few weeks, so I reported it stolen!) and we were issued a new VIN and we still managed to get it insured with absolutely ZERO hassles.

You are correct.

A Code 3 is difficult to sell, but not difficult to insure.

 

[Strusbob]

Aah, thanks for the clarification guys, much appreciated! Fazda, just out of interest: I might be able to get my hands on a Meteor with a Mazda B3 enjin in. Everything else looks good. What say you? Go check it out or give it a skip? Cheers.

 

[Fazda]

Aah, thanks for the clarification guys, much appreciated! Fazda, just out of interest: I might be able to get my hands on a Meteor with a Mazda B3 enjin in. Everything else looks good. What say you? Go check it out or give it a skip? Cheers.

The fact that it has a Ford badge on it, means nothing - it is essentially a Mazda, and that motor is the bullet proof one - just the body that you must watch, it will fall apart around your ears. They rust underneath, and the first visible sign of of it is usually a little bugbble at the bottom of the front mudguard, where it mates up with the door. Once you see it there, you are close to having the floor fall out - at the same time, the shock absorber turrets rust, and will punch their way through the body if you hit a big bump.
Sadly, despite the strong engine, I would personally steer clear, unless you have a tame panel beater who is willing to resurrect the car for you.

 

[The_Ogre]

You are correct.

A Code 3 is difficult to sell, but not difficult to insure.

Also, to add to what Fazda is saying; and to clarify why I was mentioning "stolen".

Lots of people think that Code 3 exclusively denotes a rebuilt vehicle. Its actually broader than that in that it includes stolen and modified vehicles.