Anyone got stung with buying a used car?
Discussion
As a serial car buyer I'm pretty thorough with my research before even going to view. Usual stuff like HPI, MOT History, calling dealerships if possible etc ctc.
I'm equally thorough with inspection, even having a paint thickness gauge to check for repairs.
I'm just curious to hear of any tales where people may have got stung buying a used car in recent times; with all the available data online and ease of being able to check things out.
20 years ago it was far more difficult to avoid something dodgy and one had to really know what to look for and where to check.
Anyone got any horror stories?
I'm equally thorough with inspection, even having a paint thickness gauge to check for repairs.
I'm just curious to hear of any tales where people may have got stung buying a used car in recent times; with all the available data online and ease of being able to check things out.
20 years ago it was far more difficult to avoid something dodgy and one had to really know what to look for and where to check.
Anyone got any horror stories?
i bought a one year old merc which transpired to have been an ex hire car. its had a few problems which at the back of my mind (and without any solid logic) assign to the fact it may have been harshly treated for the 10k miles prior to my ownership. as an aside it was extremely clean which was likely attributable to it being cleaned extremely regularly. at the same time, i do think that over the course of the year it may have averaged a different driver per week and the driving styles may average out somewhat.....
in fairness the screen price was cracking so you pay your money and take your chance.
in fairness the screen price was cracking so you pay your money and take your chance.
Edited by Jag_NE on Sunday 22 January 22:49
My old ST170
Fuel pump failures, rust and overheating issues when I first bought it (sorted within a day, turned out the water pump impeller had fallen off)
Although a £400 St170 is never going to be showroom condition, it got me around for 6 months or so. I actually would have another but a better example as when it did work it was actually huge fun to throw around.
Sold it for £350 to someone who wanted the engine for their Fiesta, so didn't lose out much.
Fuel pump failures, rust and overheating issues when I first bought it (sorted within a day, turned out the water pump impeller had fallen off)
Although a £400 St170 is never going to be showroom condition, it got me around for 6 months or so. I actually would have another but a better example as when it did work it was actually huge fun to throw around.
Sold it for £350 to someone who wanted the engine for their Fiesta, so didn't lose out much.
Back in the 90s the first car I bought in the UK was a privately purchased Citroen Visa GTi.
The seller was at pains to tell me that it was overdue a cam belt change - told me this twice in fact.
I was young, foolish and wanted to hoon around!
The cam belt went 9 days later... The best repair quote I could find was more than the price I'd scrimped and saved to buy the car... And it went within a mile of me brimming the petrol tank..,
Not my finest hour, but weirdly I still have great memories of that car and sometime look to see if there are any in the classifieds
The seller was at pains to tell me that it was overdue a cam belt change - told me this twice in fact.
I was young, foolish and wanted to hoon around!
The cam belt went 9 days later... The best repair quote I could find was more than the price I'd scrimped and saved to buy the car... And it went within a mile of me brimming the petrol tank..,
Not my finest hour, but weirdly I still have great memories of that car and sometime look to see if there are any in the classifieds
My 8v integrale was rotting badly and off the road for a long time so to control the urge bought an Evo2.
A few years on the rot started appearing. When it got so bad I took it in to get repaired, there was filler, rubber and expanding foam everywhere.
Looked like a new car when I bought it. Still sorting out the bodges 10 years on.
A few years on the rot started appearing. When it got so bad I took it in to get repaired, there was filler, rubber and expanding foam everywhere.
Looked like a new car when I bought it. Still sorting out the bodges 10 years on.
When I bought my T595 Daytona, I didn't realise that the fan fuse was blown due to a stone being stuck in the fan blade. It went very well for the majority of the trip from Scarborough to Northumberland, but I got stuck in traffic on the Felling Bypass in Gateshead, where it overheated and spewed out a load of coolant. I rode it back home pretty quickly after that as it was evident the air cooling of riding it was keeping the temperature down.
In fairness, the dealer I bought it from were spot on. They drove up from Scarborough to get it, took it back down and fixed it, and dropped it back off again. They hadn't been aware of the fault but they made every effort to put the problem right.
In fairness, the dealer I bought it from were spot on. They drove up from Scarborough to get it, took it back down and fixed it, and dropped it back off again. They hadn't been aware of the fault but they made every effort to put the problem right.
Was also stung with the gf's car. A used Golf with low mileage, we had to replace the engine last month. We had it serviced as soon as we bought it, there was very thick oil in it. VW changed all the filters/plugs/leads and put the correct oil in within a few klms the engine warning light came on, 1000klms the engine eat itself.
bought an XR3 many years ago on a private sale, it was never that reliable and after several years I traded in for a 18 month old Toyota Corolla gti from a dealer up the road.
A few days after getting the new car the dealer rings me and asks if I new the Xr3 had been a write off,
I had no idea
also previous to this in another private sale I bought a Bmw from leeds,
I got about as far as M1 junction 36 on the way home before it broke down leaving me feeling like a bit of a mug.
thankfully most of the other used cars I've had have been ok,
the only other car that caused me serious grief was my Amg which I got from a franchised dealer,
it was less than 3 years old when I got it and came with a years used approved warranty,
the first year appart from a few niggles it was fairly well behaved, but once the warranty ran out it seemed to develop a new problem almost every month,
this was costing me a lot of money and putting a strain on my marriage, so I had to get rid of it.
to be fair most of the issues were typical of mercedes at the time and many others were suffering the same problems + despite this and my wife threatening to chuck me out I managed to hang on to it for 4 years before I gave in, mainly because when it was working well I thoroughly enjoyed it
A few days after getting the new car the dealer rings me and asks if I new the Xr3 had been a write off,
I had no idea
also previous to this in another private sale I bought a Bmw from leeds,
I got about as far as M1 junction 36 on the way home before it broke down leaving me feeling like a bit of a mug.
thankfully most of the other used cars I've had have been ok,
the only other car that caused me serious grief was my Amg which I got from a franchised dealer,
it was less than 3 years old when I got it and came with a years used approved warranty,
the first year appart from a few niggles it was fairly well behaved, but once the warranty ran out it seemed to develop a new problem almost every month,
this was costing me a lot of money and putting a strain on my marriage, so I had to get rid of it.
to be fair most of the issues were typical of mercedes at the time and many others were suffering the same problems + despite this and my wife threatening to chuck me out I managed to hang on to it for 4 years before I gave in, mainly because when it was working well I thoroughly enjoyed it
Ages ago. Mk1 Golf Cabrio.
I should have known not to buy the asthmatic 1.5 GL model. The 3 speed auto box should have been a further warning. Final warning should have been the spare wheel floating in water. Oh, and it had no MOT, either
Much to my surprise, it passed an MOT with no hassle!
However, just a few months into my ownership the bag of crap Pierburg carb. started giving issues and it wouldn't run. This was still in dial-up internet days, so solving the issue was always going to be an issue - especially as I moved to the other side of the country and didn't have a trusted mechanic.
Ended up selling it for a £150 loss. Not a disaster, but it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be!
I should have known not to buy the asthmatic 1.5 GL model. The 3 speed auto box should have been a further warning. Final warning should have been the spare wheel floating in water. Oh, and it had no MOT, either
Much to my surprise, it passed an MOT with no hassle!
However, just a few months into my ownership the bag of crap Pierburg carb. started giving issues and it wouldn't run. This was still in dial-up internet days, so solving the issue was always going to be an issue - especially as I moved to the other side of the country and didn't have a trusted mechanic.
Ended up selling it for a £150 loss. Not a disaster, but it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be!
Bought a 1.2 Clio from one of these one man band trade from home dealers.
Paid 1400 for it, he probably got it from an auction for 400.
I failed to notice Crunch in 5th gear, and been young at time didn't push the issue with him, he didn't seem the type to give you your money back, these days he would have zero choice in the matter.
I traded the car in at the car people, they gave us 700 and didn't notice the crunch either, back to auction it went.
Paid 1400 for it, he probably got it from an auction for 400.
I failed to notice Crunch in 5th gear, and been young at time didn't push the issue with him, he didn't seem the type to give you your money back, these days he would have zero choice in the matter.
I traded the car in at the car people, they gave us 700 and didn't notice the crunch either, back to auction it went.
Trabi601 said:
Ages ago. Mk1 Golf Cabrio.
I should have known not to buy the asthmatic 1.5 GL model. The 3 speed auto box should have been a further warning. Final warning should have been the spare wheel floating in water. Oh, and it had no MOT, either
Much to my surprise, it passed an MOT with no hassle!
However, just a few months into my ownership the bag of crap Pierburg carb. started giving issues and it wouldn't run. This was still in dial-up internet days, so solving the issue was always going to be an issue - especially as I moved to the other side of the country and didn't have a trusted mechanic.
Ended up selling it for a £150 loss. Not a disaster, but it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be!
My brother in law took me to see one of these about 10 years ago. Solid enough car but the engine sounded clattery. I pulled the dipstick to reveal 1mm of Marmite clinging to the bottom. There was a can of oil in the boot so we topped it up and went for a test drive. Oil light and buzzer went off several times so I told him not to buy it.I should have known not to buy the asthmatic 1.5 GL model. The 3 speed auto box should have been a further warning. Final warning should have been the spare wheel floating in water. Oh, and it had no MOT, either
Much to my surprise, it passed an MOT with no hassle!
However, just a few months into my ownership the bag of crap Pierburg carb. started giving issues and it wouldn't run. This was still in dial-up internet days, so solving the issue was always going to be an issue - especially as I moved to the other side of the country and didn't have a trusted mechanic.
Ended up selling it for a £150 loss. Not a disaster, but it wasn't what I'd hoped it would be!
He bought it.
Not me but my sister; a classic case of being asked for advice and said advice being totally ignored.
She didn't have a great deal of money so was looking for a used Scenic, I told her no matter what, make sure it has had a cambelt change within the last couple of years, with paperwork to back it up and an up to scratch service history.
She bought a Scenic and low and behold, less than a week later the cambelt went, I asked her if she had asked about the cambelt, "err yes, he said he thought it had been changed" Arghhhhhhhh!
Anyway she managed to Ebay it for not a great deal less than she paid for it.
She didn't have a great deal of money so was looking for a used Scenic, I told her no matter what, make sure it has had a cambelt change within the last couple of years, with paperwork to back it up and an up to scratch service history.
She bought a Scenic and low and behold, less than a week later the cambelt went, I asked her if she had asked about the cambelt, "err yes, he said he thought it had been changed" Arghhhhhhhh!
Anyway she managed to Ebay it for not a great deal less than she paid for it.
benjijames28 said:
Bought a 1.2 Clio from one of these one man band trade from home dealers.
Paid 1400 for it, he probably got it from an auction for 400.
I failed to notice Crunch in 5th gear, and been young at time didn't push the issue with him, he didn't seem the type to give you your money back, these days he would have zero choice in the matter.
I traded the car in at the car people, they gave us 700 and didn't notice the crunch either, back to auction it went.
You'd be unlikely to get your money back these days either on a 1400 quid car. Even if you did try, if he told you to sod off, it would take you 6-8 months and several hundred pounds in costs plus no doubt another 6 months trying to get any money off him if he refused to pay. The reality is if he argued it, he'd either claim you test drove it (if you did) so it is something you should have noticed or it isn't something which makes the car unfit for purpose.Paid 1400 for it, he probably got it from an auction for 400.
I failed to notice Crunch in 5th gear, and been young at time didn't push the issue with him, he didn't seem the type to give you your money back, these days he would have zero choice in the matter.
I traded the car in at the car people, they gave us 700 and didn't notice the crunch either, back to auction it went.
There really isn't much comeback on a 1400 quid car unless it blows up within 2 days in reality.
Nickbrapp said:
This is PH, where used and cash is king, no one will admit to having their smugness damaged by a crap car because they couldn't possibly be wrong and may have to admit it isn't fun. Nor that sheep who finance a car may be onto something
I will do. Bought an E46 estate that was a f
king nail. Noticed one or two things but thought "nah, it'll be fine". Did the same with a ZZR600. Took a bit of a gamble on a cheap one and it turned out half the electrics were f
ked, as was the front brake. Fixed most of it but then gave up and sold it for less than half what it cost me.Probably every used car I've ever bought has had something wrong that I didn't spot, nothing like a cut and shut or exploding engine though.
Current 330i - leaking fuel breather hose only evident when you brimmed the tank. £1k warranty claim to fix.
Wife's old beetle - didn't notice before buying that it had had a new door at some point.
Worst was probably my first car, a sierra. Serious cill rot. Steep learning curve on that one. Until somebody kindly wrote it off...
Current 330i - leaking fuel breather hose only evident when you brimmed the tank. £1k warranty claim to fix.
Wife's old beetle - didn't notice before buying that it had had a new door at some point.
Worst was probably my first car, a sierra. Serious cill rot. Steep learning curve on that one. Until somebody kindly wrote it off...
Worst for me was a Jag SIII XJ12. I broke all the rules really.
Did not do my homework on the model.
Did not research the market.
Had the cash burning a hole in my pocket and was determined to get something sorted that day.
Visited the car in the dark and it was raining!
The car looked fantastic for a couple of years and then rust bubbles appeared in many places. The car had clearly been bodged and resprayed to sell. It was beyond my means to sort it out and I sold it to a Jag specialist for 10% of what I paid for it.
These days my research is forensic.
Did not do my homework on the model.
Did not research the market.
Had the cash burning a hole in my pocket and was determined to get something sorted that day.
Visited the car in the dark and it was raining!
The car looked fantastic for a couple of years and then rust bubbles appeared in many places. The car had clearly been bodged and resprayed to sell. It was beyond my means to sort it out and I sold it to a Jag specialist for 10% of what I paid for it.
These days my research is forensic.
my first car, bought with my own money: as oppose to cars given by parents was at 18- a 72 VW Beetle. So in 1990 I buy at night, in the dark. I failed to spot the battery hanging through the rear floor.
I also really didn't understand they had no heating in them. I also wanted to turn it into a CAL look. So I buy a round windscreen 1303. Completely the wrong model to convert.
However it did all turn out ok.
I was involved with a VW garage in the early 1990's- I remember a young couple coming in with a 70/72 bay window camper. They'd saved up and handed over £4500 for a full, non MOT'd devon camper. So not even a really good or rare conversion. They'd been robbed absolutely blind by the seller............ it was worth £100/£200 in scrap. The volume of rust and its general mechanics/engine rendered it fit for scrap............. or strip to a shell and rebuild at massive cost. We saw this a lot, people got excited by curtains, a cooker and a bed: and ignored the actual vehicle.
It was insane that they'd even paid that much, back then: they weren't worth that much for good examples and you could buy non runners for £100 all day long to chop up for bits.
Sadly the bloke actually broke down in tears in the garage in front of us. It was awful for them.
I also really didn't understand they had no heating in them. I also wanted to turn it into a CAL look. So I buy a round windscreen 1303. Completely the wrong model to convert.
However it did all turn out ok.
I was involved with a VW garage in the early 1990's- I remember a young couple coming in with a 70/72 bay window camper. They'd saved up and handed over £4500 for a full, non MOT'd devon camper. So not even a really good or rare conversion. They'd been robbed absolutely blind by the seller............ it was worth £100/£200 in scrap. The volume of rust and its general mechanics/engine rendered it fit for scrap............. or strip to a shell and rebuild at massive cost. We saw this a lot, people got excited by curtains, a cooker and a bed: and ignored the actual vehicle.
It was insane that they'd even paid that much, back then: they weren't worth that much for good examples and you could buy non runners for £100 all day long to chop up for bits.
Sadly the bloke actually broke down in tears in the garage in front of us. It was awful for them.
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