Looking at a 22 plate MG5 LR (pre faceliift) with a curious history

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RJT

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A local dealer has a 22 plate MG5 for sale, first reg 22/07/22, 6700 miles, but untaxed since October 22. So, an awful lot of miles in the cars first two months, then taken off the road. Does anyone have an idea why this may be? Car rejected by the original purchaser and been back to MG for repair, perhaps?
 
Have you done a search on it? It may have been an insurance write-off that has now been repaired. It might have been re-possessed by a finance company. Could any number of reasons. Try asking the dealer. If the story sounds plausible and the reason doesn't put you off then pay for a history check.
 
Yes, I intend to ask the dealer. Its not advertised as CAT N or S, and the dealer is a franchised MG Dealer so I am happy that its not an insurance write off.
 
You could check the MOT status. It will have an MOT if it was used as a taxi, which might account for the mileage.
 
I've seen quite a few pre-registered pre-FL models, with various mileages, come on the market, recently. I think the dealers have to get the nod from MG as to when they can release them for sale. It may have been the company car of one of their sales people, presumably one who was an enthusiastic driver!
 
Verdigris said:
I've seen quite a few pre-registered pre-FL models, with various mileages, come on the market, recently. I think the dealers have to get the nod from MG as to when they can release them for sale. It may have been the company car of one of their sales people, presumably one who was an enthusiastic driver!
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I will ask the dealer tomorrow and see what answer I get.
 
There are several vehicle history search sites out there such as ‘Car Vertical’, a small fee will provide all the information you require.There are a number of YouTube contributors such as Salvage Rebuilds or High Peak autos who also have discount codes.
I would never buy a used car without doing such a check and have used them on 2 occasions.
 
RJT said:
A local dealer has a 22 plate MG5 for sale, first reg 22/07/22, 6700 miles, but untaxed since October 22. So, an awful lot of miles in the cars first two months, then taken off the road. Does anyone have an idea why this may be? Car rejected by the original purchaser and been back to MG for repair, perhaps?
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As there is no tax charge (exempt) for the car, why was it only taxed for a few months ? Surely anyone taxing it would have done it for a year.
Does this imply it was then SORNd, and if so why ? Or what possible other reason could you have for not taxing the car.
 
Gomev said:
As there is no tax charge (exempt) for the car, why was it only taxed for a few months ? Surely anyone taxing it would have done it for a year.
Does this imply it was then SORNd, and if so why ? Or what possible other reason could you have for not taxing the car.
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If my pre-registered/company car hypothesis is correct, I imagine it might be to do with insurance. There may be a limit to the number of cars allowed on the dealer's fleet policy but if it was going to be stored for some time then perhaps it would be covered for the lower risk of fire and theft more cheaply on a separate policy?
 
Ask the dealer if the last owner was a private owner or X lease / Demo model.
If they refuse to show you the V5 then I would be suspicious of its history myself.
 
If in doubt leave it. There are loads around they are great cars get a good one.
The ideal is one that has always been charged at home and not had too many visits to a fast charger.
There are still some pre facelift models around with very low miles. Make sure that you buy the long range version if you can.
Also after this recent cold weather check the rear washer works and does not pee in the footwell!
 
Verdigris said:
If my pre-registered/company car hypothesis is correct, I imagine it might be to do with insurance. There may be a limit to the number of cars allowed on the dealer's fleet policy but if it was going to be stored for some time then perhaps it would be covered for the lower risk of fire and theft more cheaply on a separate policy?
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That insurance would be very cheap. Who the hell steals a burning car?
 
Verdigris said:
If my pre-registered/company car hypothesis is correct, I imagine it might be to do with insurance. There may be a limit to the number of cars allowed on the dealer's fleet policy but if it was going to be stored for some time then perhaps it would be covered for the lower risk of fire and theft more cheaply on a separate policy?
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Not sure about dealer policies but I had an old banger a few years back, and it was cheaper to insure fully comp than it was for 3rd party + fire and theft.
 
dragon2611 said:
Not sure about dealer policies but I had an old banger a few years back, and it was cheaper to insure fully comp than it was for 3rd party + fire and theft.
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I'm not talking about road insurance, as the vehicle had obviously been SORNed. I'm talking about the insurance for just storing it somewhere, just in case the building burnt down or somebody broke in and nicked it.
 
Verdigris said:
I'm not talking about road insurance, as the vehicle had obviously been SORNed. I'm talking about the insurance for just storing it somewhere, just in case the building burnt down or somebody broke in and nicked it.
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Why obviously SORNed ? That can be easily checked on the gov tax check website.
 
Gomev said:
Why obviously SORNed ? That can be easily checked on the gov tax check website.
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Because the OP said it was untaxed. As the VED is zero the only point in cancelling it would be to obviate the need for road insurance. I once got fined for not having insurance because although the car was stored off-road I hadn't SORNed it.
 
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