What is the safest place to meet a private car seller?

nidirect advises buying from the registered owner's address shown on the log book. Meeting only in a supermarket car park, roadside lay-by or another temporary location makes it harder to confirm where the car and seller actually come from.

At the address, compare the V5C, registration number, VIN, seller identity and vehicle. If the seller says they have recently moved or the V5C has not been updated, ask for a credible explanation and supporting evidence.

A dealer may legitimately use business premises, but a supposed private seller who repeatedly avoids their home address is worth treating cautiously. Never let a convenient meeting place replace proper identity and vehicle checks.

For 'What is the safest place to meet a private car seller?', keep a written record of the exact vehicle, seller details and checks you relied on before payment. That evidence is far more useful later than relying on memory or verbal promises.