Buying a cheap car privately
Discussion
I've never bought any vehicle that hasn't come from a main dealer. So, what do you need to be on the lookout for when buying a cheap, privately sold motor?
I'm guessing you would do the usual check around the car. Do some reading on specific faults etc. Ask certain questions. However, what could be considered as going overboard on something cheap? Would you HPI a cheap vehicle? Ask about servicing and recent work etc? Or would you just take a damn good look and judge things for yourself?
Also, in terms of paperwork, you would need to see the log book. Anything else?
Thanks all.
I'm guessing you would do the usual check around the car. Do some reading on specific faults etc. Ask certain questions. However, what could be considered as going overboard on something cheap? Would you HPI a cheap vehicle? Ask about servicing and recent work etc? Or would you just take a damn good look and judge things for yourself?
Also, in terms of paperwork, you would need to see the log book. Anything else?
Thanks all.
Does it drive ok?
Has it got a MoT?
Does it have the logbook?
Answer yes to all of these and you should buy it.
Any service history or such at all would be rare at this price.
In regards to common faults, at this price it will have most if not all of them.
If it had lots of history and such it wont be £450.
Of course there are exceptions but from experience of my friends buying first cars for sub £500 this is how it went.
Has it got a MoT?
Does it have the logbook?
Answer yes to all of these and you should buy it.
Any service history or such at all would be rare at this price.
In regards to common faults, at this price it will have most if not all of them.
If it had lots of history and such it wont be £450.
Of course there are exceptions but from experience of my friends buying first cars for sub £500 this is how it went.
Check out the sellers house, does it look nice etc? Is the seller a nice chap, the sort that would know a mate who could replace those brake pads when they needed, change that bush when it squeaks etc for £20 and a handshake, no receipt? Previous MOT advisories, peek through the alloys if it has them to check the discs and pads, quick testdrive and job jobbed.
interloper said:
wjb said:
quick £3 mobile text check and do the deal!
Surprised only one person mentioned this! The my text check thing is a good idea it may not be as thorough as a full hpi but in general will flag the all important issues like finance and write offs etc.rallycross said:
interloper said:
wjb said:
quick £3 mobile text check and do the deal!
Surprised only one person mentioned this! The my text check thing is a good idea it may not be as thorough as a full hpi but in general will flag the all important issues like finance and write offs etc.f
k that, just buy it and be done, it's worth that as a non runner on Ebay ffs. mondeoman said:
rallycross said:
interloper said:
wjb said:
quick £3 mobile text check and do the deal!
Surprised only one person mentioned this! The my text check thing is a good idea it may not be as thorough as a full hpi but in general will flag the all important issues like finance and write offs etc.f
k that, just buy it and be done, it's worth that as a non runner on Ebay ffs. And does it matter if it was a cat c/d?
A scratched bumper would cause that on it.
Yeah, wouldn't worry about that kind of thing on a £500 car.Slow said:
Not sure you can really finance a £450 car, maybe via a personal loan?
And does it matter if it was a cat c/d?
A scratched bumper would cause that on it.
The only thing that really does concern me is finding out that the person selling the car doesn't own it. So, for the cost of a proper check, I'd be willing to do that even on a cheap vehicle.And does it matter if it was a cat c/d?
A scratched bumper would cause that on it.
funkyrobot said:
Slow said:
Not sure you can really finance a £450 car, maybe via a personal loan?
And does it matter if it was a cat c/d?
A scratched bumper would cause that on it.
The only thing that really does concern me is finding out that the person selling the car doesn't own it. So, for the cost of a proper check, I'd be willing to do that even on a cheap vehicle.And does it matter if it was a cat c/d?
A scratched bumper would cause that on it.
dont trust what the seller is saying - check for yourself
you need to check for rust underneath , does it start hot and cold , all the gears work and the clutch isnt super high , is the engine free from massive leaks , is the water level and oil level correct , do all the dash lights come on and go off as they should
budget that it might need a cambelt and dont believe the yeah its had one bruv but i lost the paperwork innit
you need to check for rust underneath , does it start hot and cold , all the gears work and the clutch isnt super high , is the engine free from massive leaks , is the water level and oil level correct , do all the dash lights come on and go off as they should
budget that it might need a cambelt and dont believe the yeah its had one bruv but i lost the paperwork innit
CaptainNotSlow said:
Also important when buying/selling a car of any value is to get a receipt that has the date/time of the transfer of ownership. Don't want any parking/speeding fines turning up for you that the seller might have got on the date of the transfer!
Indeed. That's one thing I did consider. 
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff