Hello all.

I want to look at the features list of a focus I'm interested in, however the number plate does not come up on said website. Does this happen occasionally? Should I be suspicious (because I am)?

Cheers!

Kye

no not all show try the vin number

I don't have that either. I'd have to go and look at the car or ask the owner for it. I'd rather have a break down of what the car has before going to look at it and see it doesn't have some of what I'm after.

It's a private sale so I'm twitchy already.

I would strongly advise you do a HPI check too.

Better to lose a few quid on a check than buy a potentially stolen/ringed car or one that may have finance outstanding.

+1 HPI regardless of where you buy a car, always HPI.....

Some number plates won't show up if there has been a plate change. When I bought my Focus privately, it previously had a different plate. The new plate did not show up on Etis.

HPI check all the way will confirm the above and any other potential useful information

I used https://www.mycarcheck.com/ when shopping around for a car last year.

Money well spent

I would say HPI all the time you have to watch out for logbook loans as well

Oh yes, I'm not going near it, or the phone without an HPI check.

Thanks for the responses folks. :)

As above, if the car is for example registered new on a private plate then this is taken off, the new reg won't show up on Etis - it doesn't update from current DVLA data, just whatever plate was on the car when new.

Hello, folks.

Done the HPI check. All comes back fine (will do the VIN check when I call the seller) and it says that the car was changed from it's original plate, to a new plate and then back to its original plate.

Is there something odd with that? Or is that normal for what ever reason?

Neither plates are on ETIS. Should alarm bells be ringing?

NO its just had a private plate on it then the owner has retained the private plate and DVLA has re issued the original plate standard procedure, :D

Looks like I will have to be social and pick up the phone *shudder* :p

I have my private plate on my focus but when I enter the original on ETIS is does come up with stuff but not all the info is correct regarding the spec of my car. Picking up the phone is a good starting point you will be able to judge how the seller comes across, naturally if you have a basic code reader take it along and see if any codes are present, look at the brand of tyres usually if you see good branded tyres it usually means they take care of the car and hopefully servicing too. good luck and keep us posted . :D

Hello, folks.

Done the HPI check. All comes back fine (will do the VIN check when I call the seller) and it says that the car was changed from it's original plate, to a new plate and then back to its original plate.

Is there something odd with that? Or is that normal for what ever reason?

Neither plates are on ETIS. Should alarm bells be ringing?

I had the same suspicions when buying mine, perfectly normal. Mine had a plate change before I purchased it. HPI has come back clean, as long as other checks come back clean sounds like you might have a good deal.