Buying a car privately

[Aftershox]

Hi all

Hope everyone is well.

I am a little bit of a noob when it comes to private buying of cars. What are the steps which I should watch out for? Something I read obviously is about the log-book and not having a scanned version.

But is there anything like the address we meet up, should I verify the address of the log-book to the location I am meeting somebody?

The car is expensive (35k+), so i'm looking for any tips!

Michael

[spreadsheet monkey]

Aftershox said:

Hi all

Hope everyone is well.

I am a little bit of a noob when it comes to private buying of cars. What are the steps which I should watch out for? Something I read obviously is about the log-book and not having a scanned version.

But is there anything like the address we meet up, should I verify the address of the log-book to the location I am meeting somebody?

The car is expensive (35k+), so i'm looking for any tips!

Michael

If you're a "noob", start with a checklist like this one from the AA:

https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/used-car-inspecti...

As it's a high value car, you might want to consider getting it independently inspected. £35k is a chunky amount - can you buy a similar car from a dealer, and get the benefits of a warranty etc?

[datum77]

There are 3 rules, secrets, for buying a car. (It also applies to buying anything else actually).

(1) Research.

(2) Research.

(3) Guess what this is?.


If you buy a car privately, you have ALL the means at your disposal to carry out the above.

You can even purchase extra warranty after you've bought your hearts desire.


If you end up buying a pup - it is totally you're own fault for NOT doing items 1,2 and 3 above.

[Pistonheader101]

If uncomfortable get a broker to buy it for you

[b80]

Pistonheader101 said:

If uncomfortable get a broker to buy it for you

broker? Do you mean an inspection service to check the car over first? do you have any recommendations please.

[anonymous-user]

Spend a few days reading the countless threads on people buying cars then taking it to a specialist AFTER, or buying a car 500 miles away then finding it isn't as fully described and do the opposite.

[Gerradi]

b80 said:

broker? Do you mean an inspection service to check the car over first? do you have any recommendations please.

Judging by his posts B80 probably himself as he seems to know most things ....

[Old Merc]

If I had £35K + to spend on a car I would go round all the reputable dealers to get the best deal and warranty.

He could be an honest guy selling his car. BUT. if the engine or what ever goes pop in a month or so there is not much you can do about it.

[datum77]

OLDMERC obviously has trouble reading previous posts.

If you buy a vehicle privately, you can, essentially, buy the self same warranty, (probably cheaper as well), that the dealer will have put on the car anyway. Buying privately does NOT mean that warranties are unavailable to you. There are ads on TV trying to flog that very thing.

A motor dealer(s), is NOT the best place to buy a used car. That is a fallacy dreamt up by the dealers.

[Ben Lowden]

datum77 said:

You can even purchase extra warranty after you've bought your hearts desire.

I think a lot of people overlook this. There are plenty of aftermarket warranties available that you can buy for a car you've bought privately, either directly from an OEM if they have warranty plans available or the likes of Warrantywise, ALA, etc.

Check the T&Cs though as they generally require the car to have been serviced on schedule and sometimes using genuine parts so if a car has a shoddy service history, it's likely any policy you buy would be void.

[Drezza]

datum77 said:

OLDMERC obviously has trouble reading previous posts.

If you buy a vehicle privately, you can, essentially, buy the self same warranty, (probably cheaper as well), that the dealer will have put on the car anyway. Buying privately does NOT mean that warranties are unavailable to you. There are ads on TV trying to flog that very thing.

A motor dealer(s), is NOT the best place to buy a used car. That is a fallacy dreamt up by the dealers.

No but you can always reject a dealer bought car, not from a private sale. I wouldn't trust those 3rd party warranties as far as I could throw them.

I've only ever bought privately but I understand the risks involved for the the significantly reduced price, but I can see why someone less clued up wouldn't.

[andburg]

Get a good history check - https://www.vcheck.uk/ seems to be the best currently