Looking to buy a pre-owned 2021 Skoda Octavia; Need advice on a deal

I found a pre-owned 2021 Skoda Octavia I would like to buy through my company. The company policy kicks in at May and requires the seller to be a registered dealership but the one I found is from an individual seller. What should I do?

BHPian Ankit_1208 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi everyone,

This is my first post after scouring the forum for all news about Octavia 2021 L&K model. I appreciate all the owners sharing their detailed and authentic reviews and opinions a out the car.

Me and my wife started looking for a car in Bengaluru (after knowing about the company policy). Effectively getting tax benefits for getting a car. We started looking at new Germans (Skoda, VW) and our budget was around 20-25 lakhs. Loved the driving dynamics but wasn't amazed by the interiors and the build quality for which Germans are known for, so started looking for older used Germans and decided on Octavia.

Firstly, have to commend Skoda on their work - what a beautiful looking car!! And it drives amazingly - the 2.0L TSI works beautifully with the DSG.

I digress, but here is where I would like you all learned enthusiasts to help a newbie here.

My company policy kicks in on May and I cannot buy anything before that through my company. I've been looking for an Octavia 2021 model for few months, found 2 - but we're little out of my budget.

I recently found one and would like to buy this car.
The problem is two fold:

1. He is an individual seller - my company allows me to buy a new car from either a brand showroom or a used car from a registered dealership. - this is solvable as the owner claims to have a known used car dealer who is ready to sell this through his dealership by taking a 2% comission.

2.The timing issue - the real issue - The owner himself is looking to buy a used Mercedes and has found one and cannot hold this until May. So he would need the payment now. I cannot start the buying process through my company until May.

My question to you all is - How do I proceed with this situation? How does used car dealership commission works in a formal way? - if both seller and buyers are ready (but need the transaction through a registered dealership), how does the actual payment transfer and legalities work.

Because I'm ready to pay the owner through my personal funds and he is ready to sign the transfer documents. My only concern is once I start the process through the dealership and my company processes the payment to the dealer - the owner should return the money back to me. How can I insure that he does this and not cheat me?
Can I get some kind of legal agreement between me, the owner and the dealership? Would really need advise on this.

Here's what GTO had to say regarding the matter:

This Octavia is not a rare Rolls-Royce, man! There are too many grey areas from this deal. Please walk away. Find a more suitable example when you are ready to make the payment, and the payment goes directly to the owner / seller / dealer holding the car.

This transaction has fraud written all over it. Can you trust a complete stranger with a couple of lakhs? I sure cannot. With used cars, give (payment) with one hand, take (car) with the other.

While BHPian bijims added this to the discussion:

You should start searching for cars after mid-April as your company allows purchases only in May. The current deal is too risky and is better avoided.

Octavia isn't a halo product and you should be able to get one in May. Otherwise, there are still other options available as well. Don't rush into a hasty decision that you will regret later.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.