Buying privately- not done for years & now makes me nervous!

Buying privately- not done for years & now makes me nervous!

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Discussion

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
There are some cars out there which are now predominantly sold by private sellers but with all the potential pitfalls it now makes me nervous.

The car is 'only' worth about between £3,000-£4,000 but nevertheless.

So many people can't spell properly and write in text speak- which puts me off immediately.

Pictures of the car taken in seemingly dodgy areas.

Anything from the Gumtree website just seems even more alarming.

Price- they're not stupidly giving it away but most similar models are priced at least £500 more.

I never just trust an HPI check- its all about does the VIN number match? Are we at the sellers address?

A woman's number- might be sexist but I would expect a man to sell the car, would putting a woman's name intentionally make you feel safer?

Buying from a dealer is much easier- and I don't mind paying more- but everything I've seen so far is a bit ropey...



wemorgan

3,578 posts

177 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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What car are you after?

Hol

8,364 posts

199 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
All the second hand cars we have bought from dealers have had problems that were not covered by the six month warranty anyway. Sudden rust appearing under previously immaculate paintwork etc..

This is their business, and they are trying to make the maximum profit on every deal. Most of their cars come from auctions and they truly have no idea of the history.


Private sellers just need to sell their car and will always drop the price for scuffs, marks and worn tyres - something a second hand dealer wont.

Just make sure you have paperwork to back up service stamps, cambelt changes, clutches etc....

Bigbox

589 posts

210 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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Buying privately I worry about log book loans type scenarios / loans secured against the car

CraigyMc

16,333 posts

235 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Bigbox said:
Buying privately I worry about log book loans type scenarios / loans secured against the car
Forgive my naivety, but doesn't a "proper" HPI search cover that in the sense that they guarantee it's not got anything outstanding against it?

I thought that was the point of an HPI check (along with checking for class C/D writeoffs)

AudiWurst

4,544 posts

226 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Leicesterdave said:
A woman's number- might be sexist but I would expect a man to sell the car, would putting a woman's name intentionally make you feel safer?
Huh??? Where are you posting from? The 1970s?

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

V8forweekends

2,481 posts

123 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Carol is originally a Man's name and still is in Eastern Europe...

ETA - the Ad looks 100% perfect.

HumbleJim

26,959 posts

182 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
CraigyMc said:
Bigbox said:
Buying privately I worry about log book loans type scenarios / loans secured against the car
Forgive my naivety, but doesn't a "proper" HPI search cover that in the sense that they guarantee it's not got anything outstanding against it?

I thought that was the point of an HPI check (along with checking for class C/D writeoffs)
Log book loans are not registered with equifax so not covered.

V8forweekends

2,481 posts

123 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all

BE57 TOY

2,628 posts

146 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Probably wouldn't worry me at that sort of value as it's the kind of car that's typically sold privately. Just do all the necessary checks and hopefully grab yourself a bargain!

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
So there is no way of finding out if a logbook loan is secured against the car?

Mr Pies

8,842 posts

186 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Leicesterdave said:
So there is no way of finding out if a logbook loan is secured against the car?
I asked this same question about 2 years ago when I was spending 2.5k on a car. I was told no.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Leicesterdave said:
So there is no way of finding out if a logbook loan is secured against the car?
They shouldn't have a v5

also you could ring up the dvla to check no other recently issued v5s, but she would need to give permission.

the advert looks good go and have a look, ask her if she has a log book loan etc

ChasW

2,135 posts

201 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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This looks pretty straight to me. In this situation much of my judgement about the car is also based on what I think of the owner. Do they appear honest and open, how complete are the records, if there are other cars in the drive what condition are they in? Do they appear to look after their possessions? On the occasions I have walked away from a car it's because I believe the car has been neglected and that is sometimes only evident on close inspection but also from the owners attitude. For example I would always clean a car inside and out before a viewing, however inconvenient. Lots of people don't bother.

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Any good HPI checks?

*Al*

3,830 posts

221 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
HPI?

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Leicesterdave said:
Any good HPI checks?
all hpi checkers have a multitude of caveats and would imagine a claim would require jumping through flaming hoops before being told your claim isn't valid.

Get off your arse and go and have a look at the cars as sitting behind a screen won't give you a proper picture.

Leicesterdave

Original Poster:

2,282 posts

179 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
The Spruce goose said:
all hpi checkers have a multitude of caveats and would imagine a claim would require jumping through flaming hoops before being told your claim isn't valid.

Get off your arse and go and have a look at the cars as sitting behind a screen won't give you a proper picture.
Well it's a 5 hour round trip so I would actually like to HPI the car first!

wemorgan

3,578 posts

177 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
5hrs is a long way to go to buy a £3k mid-sized hatch.
IMHO you're more likely to waste time by undeclared faults than the HPI being suspect.