What to Do When Buying a Car from a Private Owner
Buying a car directly from a private owner is slightly different from buying one second-hand at a dealership. There are important quality features to check that’ll help you match up the car with what you’re paying (or should be paying). Determining the value involves looking at the history, inspecting the current condition, and trusting your instincts.
Then there’s the paperwork, which involves legal considerations and payment security. Online marketplaces like NamCars, MyProperty, and even Facebook are regularly flooded with used car deals. While this is often a quicker and more lucrative way to sell a car, some do it for dubious reasons like hiding mechanical faults or attempting to get more money than the car is worth.
Cartrack will walk you through the second-hand car purchasing process step by step so that you get the best deal when buying a car from a private owner.
What’s the first thing to check before buying a car from a private owner?
The first thing you need to establish before buying a car from a private owner is that they do actually own the car. The proof of ownership document is a MUST, and there are ways you can confirm if the NaTIS Vehicle Registration Certificate is real or fake.
Once you get to the private owner to inspect the car, ask them for the NaTIS Vehicle Registration Certificate. Then:
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Hold it up to the light and inspect the paper texture; check for the official Roads Authority (RA) emblem and NaTIS watermark patterns embedded in the certificate.
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The font shouldn’t be bold or underlined, and the text lines should be perfectly uniform without any signs of custom alignment or irregular type-spacing.
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There’ll also be visible text or background tinting in the middle of the page. This must be 100% centred.
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The ink on the front should also be visible on the back of the page, confirming a genuine, heavy-stock municipal print run.
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“Vehicle Registration Certificate” should be clearly printed at the top, issued under the Ministry of Works and Transport framework.
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Look for the specific Certificate Serial Number and System Issue Number which affirms the authenticity and chronological originality of the document.
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Match up the Chassis Number (VIN) and Engine Number on the document with the physical chassis plate on the vehicle’s firewall, and cross-check it with the NaTIS registration disc on the car’s windscreen.
What paperwork is needed for buying a car from a private owner?
Besides the NaTIS Vehicle Registration Certificate (most important), you’ll also need an official NaTIS Change of Ownership Form (Form NCO). This will be filled out and signed by both you and the seller. Once complete, you must take this form, along with copies of both your IDs and a NamPol Clearance Certificate, to the nearest NaTIS registering authority for processing. They’ll update the national system to reflect that you are now the legal owner of the vehicle.
Optional paperwork worth considering for due diligence:
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Stamped proof of bank account (from a registered Namibian commercial bank)
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NaTIS Roadworthy Certificate (officially tested and stamped at a NaTIS vehicle testing station)
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A sales agreement with details of the sale (signed by you, the seller, and preferably a witness)
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Receipts and service log stamps that pertain to the vehicle’s maintenance history
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A bank settlement letter if the car was financed and isn’t fully paid off yet (essential for clearing the financial institution’s title at NaTIS)
How should you inspect a used car before buying from someone?
When inspecting a private owner’s used car before buying, use this checklist:
- Uneven tyre wear & tear
- Windscreen cracks (even tiny ones)
- Buttons in the car like locks, windows and dashboard switches
- Minor mismatches on paintwork
- Scratches or bumps on panels
- Oil stains where the car is parked
Seeing evidence of damage or a past accident might not cause you NOT to buy the car, but it’s relevant to bring up with the previous owner. They should be charging according to the car’s current condition and must declare if the car’s been in an accident.
What should you look out for while test driving a used car?
When test driving a used car (which is highly recommended before buying), make sure you do short-stop driving as well as long-distance driving. Short distances will give you a feel for the brakes & suspension, while long distances will allow you to listen out for rattling noises or car performance issues.
Suburban driving observations
Drive over a few speed bumps and note how the car’s suspension handles it. Also observe how the brakes handle stops at red lights and stop signs, and don’t forget to take note of how well the car pulls off from these points (clutch-related). You’ll also pick up if there’s engine hunting, which could indicate a damaged engine head or other less-serious problems.
Highway driving observations
Long drives let you check a few other important things, like whether the engine overheats or if the car makes rattling sounds. Pay close attention to the steering wheel when you do a highway drive, because vibrations could point to wheel alignment imbalances.
Post parking observations
If you can, park somewhere else after your test drive is over. Go back to where the car was parked initially and look for fresh oil stains. A car that leaks oil will have mechanical issues that need to be addressed with the previous owner.
Also check the handbrake by parking on an incline if possible (although you can also test this while driving around town). Test the indicators, lights, and hazards while you’re parked and safe, and feel free to get out of the car to see if they work externally.
SIDE NOTE: If you want to protect your newly-purchased car while it’s parked, check out Cartrack’s virtual car guard app!
What should you do if the previous car owner has a tracking device installed?
If the previous car owner has a tracking device installed, you can speak to them about either having it removed or having the tracking service transferred to your name. In the latter case, the device will simply remain installed, and you can contact the tracking service provider to change ownership.
If it’s a Cartrack device, we make this process simple. Just give us a call and we’ll do the heavy lifting on your behalf.
Safety considerations for your new, used car purchase
If you just landed yourself a good deal on a used car, consider protecting it with a GPS tracking device if it doesn’t already have one.
It’s also highly recommended by many local influencers that all cars install a dashcam, as this offers a myriad of safeguards for motorists like you.
If you have any Cartrack products in your old car, speak to us about transferring them to your newly-purchased one, and we’ll schedule a visit.
