Seller is not on UVIP. red flag?

J

Jeprox13

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Hey everyone.

I'm purchasing through a private sale and the owner is providing an old UVIP which may not have him on it.
It's fair to say he did not register it to himself and is just reselling the bike... but could this be a red flag? That worry in the back of my mind that it may not be his bike is troubling me and he doesn't want to provide the VIN. Seems like an honest person over emails but...
Am I walking into a trap or am I over thinking?

[Update - I didn't ask if it was registered to him. I'll see in person first...]
[Correction to Title - I'm not sure if he's on the UVIP or not...more like a what-if scenario.]

If registration and UVIP add up, cool. I'm seeing it in person this weekend anyway.

[FINAL UPDATE]

Thanks for all your concerns and advice everyone!
I drilled the owner on the history of the bike and what he does personally. Upon my(And a friend who's knowledgeable on older bikes) inspection, the bike was amazingly pristine. Took it for a ride and it was incredibly well kept.
The seller was truthful about his "ownership" of the bike, saying he traded his skidoo for it and enjoys fixing things(Which he did an excellent restore job). This explains why he didn't bother registering it and paying the taxes...
I also did my background check and found the previous owner on google, called, and confirmed the transaction. He was a bit surprised and we laughed about it.
Also, the VIN is not on a "watch" list or reported stolen.
I felt very secure with the purchase. Any concerns quickly vanished and it's now on its way to me, graciously delivered from Niagara Falls without a charge.
I think I'll offer them a case of beer.

Thanks again for all your advice!

See you on the road and ride safe!

Here she is! I called her "Cadence"
11115692_10205461454570248_3648474371542138925_n.jpg
 
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No, you are not over-thinking it. Ask for a new UVIP, with his name on it, and with the VIN on it.

If he balks, drop a line to crimestoppers. you never know.
 
If it's old it's probably the one he got when he bought it. I'd ask for a new one. Aren't they like $10? If it's really a good deal and he doesn't want to pay for it, go buy one yourself.
 
It's $20 and should be provided by the seller.

UVIP's will have all the previous registered owners listed, as well as any Lien information in the MTO systems.

If the seller is too lazy to provide it, you could grab it for him if he wants to pay you the $20 and the bike is worth your efforts. Otherwise, no UVIP, no sale.
 
$20 for a UVIP. I have no issues with a seller providing it, (although they are required by law to provide it, there is an actual HTA charge for not providing it).

I would be more concerned he is unwilling to give you the VIN

Edit: Have you seen the old UVIP or just been told he has it? If you have seen it then the VIN would be on it. Either way if it is indeed a stolen bike when you try to get a UVIP, it will show it as stolen so the UVIP is important to have BEFORE you give him ANY money
 
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Thanks!

So if he, indeed, is not on it but kept it and never registered it, could that be a legit purchase/transfer of ownership?
 
Absolutely do not purchase a vehicle without an update-to-date UVIP. How do you know there is not a lien on the bike???
 
Jeprox13 said:
Thanks!

So if he, indeed, is not on it but kept it and never registered it, could that be a legit purchase/transfer of ownership?
Click to expand...

The answer to your question is to ask yourself "why does this person have this bike if it's not registered to them?"

There are lots of bikes out there, not worth the headache. Walk away if every question you ask, leads to more questions.
 
Okay story time -> Friends son decided to purchase an old Audi A4. I told him, make sure you always get a UVIP. He bought the car without the UVIP.

.... Lien on the vehicle.

Luckily his father made the person take the vehicle back and he hadn't transferred the vehicle into his name yet....
 
Lots of people buy bike to flip them and therefor don't put it in their name. The only issue I see is he won't give you the VIN. Absolutely don't buy a buy without a current date UVIP and the registration filled out with the sellers information and signature (should be the last person listed on the UVIP).
 
Jeprox13 said:
Thanks!

So if he, indeed, is not on it but kept it and never registered it, could that be a legit purchase/transfer of ownership?
Click to expand...

No. How can he sell something he doesn't legally own?

It's very simple, get a UVIP or walk away.

Couple Easy Steps:

Check VIN on the UVIP & Bike
Check Lien information
Fill out Bill of Sale portion
Seller information should match last registered owner

...

I should mention if he has the registration and its signed by the previous owner (because he's flipping it) then it can be legit. But in this instance you would not get a legally binding Bill of Sale, because the person selling it doesn't actually own the vehicle (yet)

I'm sure there are going to be people that get screwed over this year, don't be one of them.
 
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Well this is a tough one...

I'm going to check out the bike and probe the seller a bit to see if I can read him. But yeah, I'll be cautious. No UVIP/VIN, no sale. I'll walk away in any sign of sketch.

Thanks y'all!
 
Jeprox13 said:
Well this is a tough one...

I'm going to check out the bike and probe the seller a bit to see if I can read him. But yeah, I'll be cautious. No UVIP/VIN, no sale. I'll walk away in any sign of sketch.

Thanks y'all!
Click to expand...

Is there a site on line to check vin# or do you have to visit an mto storefront in person?
 
What kind of bike is it, anyway?
 
Just straight up tell him you need the VIN and updated UVIP in order for the sale to go through. Explain that it's for your peace of mind. If after you've been up front with why you need it he still ***** about...walk away.
 
The other way around this is to tell him you NEED the vin as you want to confirm insurance prices before buying and the insurer is insiting upon the VIN.

If he still balks at providing a vin then don't walk away... RUN
 
Schneller said:
Is there a site on line to check vin# or do you have to visit an mto storefront in person?
Click to expand...

Gotta go to a ServiceOntario and get a UVIP printed.

I'm not aware of an online service that would do this. Would be nice though.
 
nfq said:
Gotta go to a ServiceOntario and get a UVIP printed.

I'm not aware of an online service that would do this. Would be nice though.
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IIRC you can do it online but you don't get the info right away. You're ordering it to be delivered via mail to your house which takes longer than just going there.
 
Boots said:
IIRC you can do it online but you don't get the info right away. You're ordering it to be delivered via mail to your house which takes longer than just going there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking more like an online, print your own UVIP kinda thing, where you can grab the info as a PDF or whatever.

(un)related: I miss the convenience of the Kiosks for sticker renewal and basic things. At least they send the stickers in the mail when you renew, so you're not stuck in an MTO line for hours.
 
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