Buying a used car steps?
Discussion
As well as the "online" stuff mentioned above it's worth making sure you've got the basics covered,
If the details don't match - run away!
- Is the seller clutching a V5 with correct details of the car?
- Are you buying the car at the address shown on the V5?
If the details don't match - run away!
If it's a larger amount of money and/or a complex/older car, you could consider getting an independent inspection, either AA/RAC or possibly a nearby garage. But not 100% necessary, you could also view the car first and see how you feel about it.
If you want to test drive the car, you'll need to ensure you have insurance and clear that with the seller, otherwise accept a passenger ride.
When you're happy with a car, you'll need to agree method of payment - I've used bank transfer from online banking recently, which has worked fine, but have also had a seller want to physically go into a bank branch together to do the transfer, and have also done cash (both ways).
Obviously, there are some sharks out there. However, it was Quentin Willson who repeatedly said ‘look at the seller as well as the car. ‘. That included the environment, even the postcode - if this sounds snobbish ,never mind, you are looking after you. There are other much rehearsed clues like matching number plates, preferably from a main dealer ( or, at least, not ‘Joe’s Autos’ on the front and ‘D&B Cars’ on the rear.) Matching tyres are als
o good, avoid 3 or 4 mismatched things of obscure Chinese make.A counsel of perfection is to look around at a few similar cars. To end on a positive note, decent cars do exist in the big bad world! Some private sales really are to do with bereavement, job change, or just being plain skint!
o good, avoid 3 or 4 mismatched things of obscure Chinese make.A counsel of perfection is to look around at a few similar cars. To end on a positive note, decent cars do exist in the big bad world! Some private sales really are to do with bereavement, job change, or just being plain skint!
Edited by Lester H on Thursday 24th December 17:03
Lester H said:
There are other much rehearsed clues like matching number plates, preferably from a main dealer ( or, at least, not ‘Joe’s Autos’ on the front and ‘D&B Cars’ on the rear.)
Good point. A car that has had a damaged numberplate and had a new one fitted that doesn't match. That's as bad as a snapped cambelt or bent chassis.I also like to make sure the valve caps all match so I know I'm not buying a lemon.
Expectations should be aligned with budget, at least to some extent. Expecting 4 matching tyres on an Aston is reasonable, expecting it on a sub 2k hack isn’t. At the lower end of the market people are more inclined to do the bare minimum to keep a car running, which isn’t necessarily a terribly thing if the important stuff is covered.
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