Approaching An Owner To Buy His Abandoned Car
Discussion
So, I was working a couple of days ago at a house that had a courtyard/communal car park and noticed an 09 plate BMW 120d convertible. Discs are rusted, cobwebs under every wheel arch, very diry, green mildew around roof, tax disc expired in March. you know the coup, I also noticed that as well as there being a letter addressed to the owner on the passenger seat and that the tow eye cover was missing in the front bumper. The general condition apart from it needing a damned good clean up is very good, interior was pretty dirty too. I think the owner is an older rather than younger especially as there's a sticker for the RHS in the window!
I don't need a new car but I would make him an offer if he really wants shot of it and I can do a Mike Brewer with it. What would you suggest I offer him taking into account it may have a knackered engine? is there a particular etiquette when it comes to making a 'cold' approach. Yes, he may well be out of the country or visiting one of her majesty's establishments but I believe it's been abandoned.
I don't need a new car but I would make him an offer if he really wants shot of it and I can do a Mike Brewer with it. What would you suggest I offer him taking into account it may have a knackered engine? is there a particular etiquette when it comes to making a 'cold' approach. Yes, he may well be out of the country or visiting one of her majesty's establishments but I believe it's been abandoned.
First things first, check its insured/mot'd (although probably not by the sounds of it) Find out who it is and ask them straight.
"Is your car the Beamer downstairs?" "I've noticed that it hasn't moved in a while and I would be interested in purchasing it from you"
Something like that, the worst you'll get is an earful and be told to fork off.
Best, you get a decent car cheaply.
"Is your car the Beamer downstairs?" "I've noticed that it hasn't moved in a while and I would be interested in purchasing it from you"
Something like that, the worst you'll get is an earful and be told to fork off.
Best, you get a decent car cheaply.
Lordbenny said:
I'm not going back there, work has finished, the curtains were closed on all the windows at the time. I have his name and address though, he might think I'm a nosey sod if he knows I've been sniffing around the car and taking down his address from a letter on the passenger seat!
Hmm, sounds like the owner may have departed this earth. Could you smell a strange whiff coming from the letterbox? 
Just to say just because it's not moved doesn't mean it's not loved or that it's not wanted.
I know plenty of blokes in the armed forces who leave their cars for going on a year without a wheel moving. They often also leave them at a parents house or somewhere out of the way, where someone can keep an eye on them. Other ideas could be that the owner has been banned and is waiting to get his license back.
If I received a letter I'd probably file it in a bin. If you are really interested knock on the door.
I know plenty of blokes in the armed forces who leave their cars for going on a year without a wheel moving. They often also leave them at a parents house or somewhere out of the way, where someone can keep an eye on them. Other ideas could be that the owner has been banned and is waiting to get his license back.
If I received a letter I'd probably file it in a bin. If you are really interested knock on the door.
GrizzlyBear said:
I always wondered how someone can just leave a car to degrade, if you don't want it, just sell it, lets face it leaving it outside will just result in a more expensive recommission.
If you're ill and can't drive, having the prospect of being able to drive it again may well keep you going. Selling it just says "I give up".Lordbenny said:
I don't need a new car but I would make him an offer if he really wants shot of it and I can do a Mike Brewer with it.
So, what do we actually know?1. You don't need a new car. We know this because you've just said so.
2. The owner doesn't really want shot of it. We know this because he has not put it up for sale, called WBAC, etc.
Why does this thread even exist?
I highly doubt that should you manage to purchase the vehicle you'd make any sort of worthwhile profit on the thing. Its hardly a rare car, you already know it'll need maintenance (brakes, maybe tyres? ) what else is wrong with it ?
Sounds a great idea intheory but I reckon the reality will be different.
Sounds a great idea intheory but I reckon the reality will be different.
I did similar a while back, on a metro...Owner was elderly and could no longer drive it. MOT had run out but looked good otherwise and low milage. Found out what the local garage would give if he got them to take it away and offered him that. He refused, I said fair enough, left my number in case he changed his mind, he did. Wiper blade, battery and local paper advert later I was a few hundred quid up. Does work sometimes.
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