Second hand motorbike

[m62man 0]

I have agreed to buy a bike from an ex-pat who has had it from new. He hasn't had it on the road for 5 years (it's 8 years old) and it needs a bit of work. I will get it serviced somewhere, and I presume the garage will also provide some sort of test certificate. Is that correct?

Can anybody tell me what I need to do to change the ownership, tax and insure it? The bike I have at the moment I bought from a garage and they handled everything for me.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I have agreed to buy a bike from an ex-pat who has had it from new. He hasn't had it on the road for 5 years (it's 8 years old) and it needs a bit of work. I will get it serviced somewhere, and I presume the garage will also provide some sort of test certificate. Is that correct?

Can anybody tell me what I need to do to change the ownership, tax and insure it? The bike I have at the moment I bought from a garage and they handled everything for me.

 

Are you saying that he's neither updated the bike's registration document (green book), nor taken out the basic insurance for the last five years? From what I recall, there is a charge, calculated on a daily basis, for the period the vehicle is effectively unregistered. Assuming the bike is registered in Chonburi Province, both of you will need to attend the LTD to complete the transaction. If the bike is registered in some other province, or the seller isn't going to be present, it starts to get a bit messy (nominated powers of attorney and so on) and it may be better to get a Thai agent to handle things for you.

Edited October 8, 2010 by CheshireTom

[m62man 0]

Are you saying that he's neither updated the bike's registration document (blue book), nor taken out the basic insurance for the last five years? From what I recall, there is a charge, calculated on a daily basis, for the period the vehicle is effectively unregistered. Assuming the bike is registered in Chonburi Province, both of you will need to attend the LTD to complete the transaction. If the bike is registered in some other province, or the seller isn't going to be present, it starts to get a bit messy (nominated powers of attorney and so on) and it may be better to get a Thai agent to handle things for you.

 

I am almost certain he hasn't done anything for the last five years. He lives out near The Ambassador, so whether that is another province, I'm not sure. I can ask him to attend the LTD and pay any charge for the unregistered period. Can you tell me where the LTD is, and does anybody have a rough idea of what the charge may be?

[jacko 8,822]

I believe we are still in Chonburi province there, I think it goes as far as Ban Chang, then you are into Rayong... but where it was registered should be apparent on the number plate. It has got plates hasn't it? Otherwise it will be in the green book.

I don't think servicing garages supply certificates, it would be checked at the vehicle registration centre...where you transfer ownership.

The one for Pattaya area is located on Hwy 36, near the 'motorway' (7) junction, next to the Regents school. Go North out of Pattaya on Sukhumvit, turn right onto 36 (for Rayong) about 10km past Klang. U-Turn after you see the school.

There is also one in Chonburi City.

Edited October 8, 2010 by jacko

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I am almost certain he hasn't done anything for the last five years. He lives out near The Ambassador, so whether that is another province, I'm not sure. I can ask him to attend the LTD and pay any charge for the unregistered period. Can you tell me where the LTD is, and does anybody have a rough idea of what the charge may be?

 

There is a good summary of the requirements on one of the Phuket sites. Obviously, substitute Chonburi for Phuket where applicable.

 

 

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/expats/2...nformation.html

[m62man 0]

Thank you for the advice and the link. I did some more research on Thaivisa and told the guy we would both need to attend at LTA to do the transfer and that the bike would need to be insured and the green book up to date, with any arrears and fines paid off. He went to a dealer to check the situation, was told that the dealer would sort everything if he sold it to him...so he did! He told me he couldn't do with all the hassle, and the dealer also offered him more than we had agreed....end of.

[jacko 8,822]

Thank you for the advice and the link. I did some more research on Thaivisa and told the guy we would both need to attend at LTA to do the transfer and that the bike would need to be insured and the green book up to date, with any arrears and fines paid off. He went to a dealer to check the situation, was told that the dealer would sort everything if he sold it to him...so he did! He told me he couldn't do with all the hassle, and the dealer also offered him more than we had agreed....end of.

Looks like you lost out on a bargain..........

[m62man 0]

Looks like you lost out on a bargain..........

 

Yes,true. But I wouldn't have wanted the bike without the paperwork being in order. Had I known that I could do everything without the current owner being involved, then I would have bought it - I already had the cash - but the dealers no doubt know how to cut corners, and I don't.