Buying a cheap car privately

[funkyrobot]

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.

[funkyrobot]

Slow said:

How cheap? I think just a case of driving to see if it drives fine mostly.

£450 at the moment.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks chaps.

Intending for it to be something to learn on. It's local, just haven't been to see it yet. I'll check for the things mentioned above when I go to see it.

[funkyrobot]

Defcon5 said:

What car is it?

03 Skoda Fabia diesel with 146k miles on the clock.

[funkyrobot]

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.

[funkyrobot]

Slow said:

Look at v5 and look at his id

[funkyrobot]

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.

[funkyrobot]

steveo3002 said:

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

Will do.

It says the cambelt was last done in 2013. We'll see.

[funkyrobot]

J4CKO said:

Check the tyres, could easily spend the purchase price on a new set.

Will do.

Incidentally, the car I've been looking at has now got more expensive. It's on Ebay and bidding has begun. Oh well.

[funkyrobot]

littlebasher said:

..........by walking around the car, kicking each one in turn while sucking air through your teeth

[funkyrobot]

Condi said:

Some people are asking a lot for £450...

If it has MOT and tax it is already better than 99% of the ones in the same price bracket. Any extra is a bonus.

It can't have tax now.

[funkyrobot]

Jimboka said:

Plenty of others for 99p, only 10 days until auction closes. What should I look for when buying a 99p car?

A pound coin?