Hmm...He wanted to buy the vehicle from the owners but does not want to really pay but is trying to navigate and escape the formalities with an "under the table" payment to the ministry clerks. He is doing this because he wants it to feel like an inheritance but he is speculating on the life of the owner and hoping to defeat the legal requirements.

 Hmm...He wanted to buy the vehicle from the owners but does not want to really pay but is trying to navigate and escape the formalities with an "under the table" payment to the ministry clerks. He is doing this because  he wants it to feel like an inheritance but he is speculating on the life of the owner and hoping to defeat the legal requirements.