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leannex
By leannex | AA Member | 2 Posts | 15 May 2016 at 11:32pm

Hi,
I am looking to purchase a private vehicle and I have found out that the car is being sold on behalf of.

Upon further investigation the person(mother) is deceased and the son is selling the car.

From what I can gather on the NZ Transport agency it advises that if the vehicle is being sold then a change of registered Person - seller will need to be done.

Is the car registered to the son first by changing ownership, then registered again
to the buyer, changing ownership again?.

I am not sure of this process, so how can I make sure that legally the car can be sold and the will has been executed to the rightful owner, and I am legally protected?.

Many thanks.
Leanne.

Anon
By Cade | AA Expert | 3937 Posts | 16 May 2016 at 9:42am

Ownership is determined when the sale contract is complete and a receipt is issued.
I recommend you write up a receipt and both sign it.
Change of "ownership" is actually changing the registered keeper of the vehicle, so it doesn't necessarily need to be changed twice before you.
I would ask to see documents if possible, to prove the son has permission to sell the vehicle, either as the executor of the estate of by someone who is.