Spending £15k on a car private sale
Discussion
So I have been on a bit of a journey whilst searching for a car, I was looking at dealerships for the peace of mind (that I know can be misplaced if it's a bad garage). However private sales seem to be so much cheaper that I am tempted to buy privately.
My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
SFTWend said:
As said, a professional inspection will help mitigate the risk.
I'm surprised you are finding private sellers asking materially less than dealers. My searches suggest they think they can achieve dealer retail, unless they are selling junk on FB etc.
It's funny you should say that, I'm finding some sellers are reasonable in their prices but some are in a dreamworld with prices nearly the same as dealers!I'm surprised you are finding private sellers asking materially less than dealers. My searches suggest they think they can achieve dealer retail, unless they are selling junk on FB etc.
I have decided to treat myself a relaxed cruiser so have arrived on 640d. AD Says he took it in P/x in October but decided to use it over winter(?) so he is selling outside his car business & now selling as a private seller, OK. He has mentioned a few things he's replaced etc & a remap. So I contacted him asking a few question one about DPF delete etc... his Answer was "Why".... Is this the usual level of help nowadays?
Gerradi said:
I have decided to treat myself a relaxed cruiser so have arrived on 640d. AD Says he took it in P/x in October but decided to use it over winter(?) so he is selling outside his car business & now selling as a private seller, OK. He has mentioned a few things he's replaced etc & a remap. So I contacted him asking a few question one about DPF delete etc... his Answer was "Why".... Is this the usual level of help nowadays?
Sounds like a trader trying to avoid their legal obligations to customers to me, suggest you look elsewhere as I don't think 640ds are that uncommon.Tbh I can perhaps imagine someone not wanting to commit in writing to an "illegal" change like a DPF delete. But the "private" sale feels like enough to avoid IMO, unless that particular car has compelling advantages.
samoht said:
Sounds like a trader trying to avoid their legal obligations to customers to me, suggest you look elsewhere as I don't think 640ds are that uncommon.
Tbh I can perhaps imagine someone not wanting to commit in writing to an "illegal" change like a DPF delete. But the "private" sale feels like enough to avoid IMO, unless that particular car has compelling advantages.
I did tell him I would look elsewhere due to the reluctance to anawer reasonable questions & the advert has disappeared , will be interesting if it reappers without the DPF modification being mentioned . Tbh I can perhaps imagine someone not wanting to commit in writing to an "illegal" change like a DPF delete. But the "private" sale feels like enough to avoid IMO, unless that particular car has compelling advantages.
Mrinsignia said:
So I have been on a bit of a journey whilst searching for a car, I was looking at dealerships for the peace of mind (that I know can be misplaced if it's a bad garage). However private sales seem to be so much cheaper that I am tempted to buy privately.
My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
Don't be such a wuss My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
I've owned 33 cars over the last 18 years or so and the vast majority of them were purchased privately, up to £25k in value.
Only really had 2 issues both of which I should have spotted easily. Most issues are fairly easy to spot and you generally get a good feel from the person selling the car. If they seem legit, the car usually is
That he is a trader who is trying to dodge his legal obligations tells you everything. Why does he want to sell it with no comeback?? I’d not touch it.
I think buying privately, you’re looking for the right seller rather than settling on a particular car. I suspect other 640d’s are available.
I think buying privately, you’re looking for the right seller rather than settling on a particular car. I suspect other 640d’s are available.
rotaryjam said:
Mrinsignia said:
So I have been on a bit of a journey whilst searching for a car, I was looking at dealerships for the peace of mind (that I know can be misplaced if it's a bad garage). However private sales seem to be so much cheaper that I am tempted to buy privately.
My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
Don't be such a wuss My worry is that I don't want to spend £15k on a car and then have the engine drop out on the way home! What can I do and what should I look for to make sure the car isn't a lemon?
I've owned 33 cars over the last 18 years or so and the vast majority of them were purchased privately, up to £25k in value.
Only really had 2 issues both of which I should have spotted easily. Most issues are fairly easy to spot and you generally get a good feel from the person selling the car. If they seem legit, the car usually is
As noted above a decent inspection can be better than what a dealer puts the car through.
Another key advantage is examining the history of the car. Modern vehicles are in the main very reliable if looked after and buying private you can be sure the owner is a good sort with the means to maintain the car but more importantly view the bills of work behind the service stamps. Most dealers incorrectly hide behind GDPR when it comes to showing any more of the history than a bunch of presumably legit dealer stamps. With a private sale you can see when fluids were changed, discs/pads/tyres/clutch replaced, what remedial work was done to sort advisories.
In my own inadequate sample size and experience I prefer buying private or via a main dealer with manufacturer backed warranty.
Another key advantage is examining the history of the car. Modern vehicles are in the main very reliable if looked after and buying private you can be sure the owner is a good sort with the means to maintain the car but more importantly view the bills of work behind the service stamps. Most dealers incorrectly hide behind GDPR when it comes to showing any more of the history than a bunch of presumably legit dealer stamps. With a private sale you can see when fluids were changed, discs/pads/tyres/clutch replaced, what remedial work was done to sort advisories.
In my own inadequate sample size and experience I prefer buying private or via a main dealer with manufacturer backed warranty.
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