would you let a mate look at a car for you and buy unseen?

[edo]

Just looked at a Cayman S for a mate who is out of the country. Having test driven it and spoken to him he agreed to let me negotiate the deal and paid the deposit over the phone.

Got me wondering if people on here have PH mates they would trust enough to do this?

[maniac0796]

No, but then, my method of choosing cars isn't fantastic.

[rfn]

I have mates that I would trust, and others that I wouldn't!

So I guess the answer you're looking for is "yes"!

[edo]

maniac0796 said:

No, but then, my method of choosing cars isn't fantastic.

Do tell!

[MDT]

I would let some do this, and others I would not trust to check a lawn-mower.

[edo]

MDT said:

I would let some do this, and others I would not trust to check a lawn-mower.

[r1ch]

Depends on the value, ie maybe a shed, but i'd say 9 times out of 10 i'd say No.

[stewjohnst]

Never.

I get mates to keep an eye out for what I'm after but I'll always go there myself before buying it. Wouldn't dream of letting them take the plunge for me, unless I'd seen it and they were just going along to pay and collect.

If I need a banger for something, then I'll happily buy a car off ebay unseen and would let a mate get one of these for me but playing around with a few hundred quid and finding you've bought a pup is very different to your mate arriving back with your dream car, ten grand lighter and then you spotting something they missed on it.

Wouldn't want to put anyone in that position for me really.

[wackojacko]

Depends on value etc but probably not ....... I would let my father Buy for me as he has a similar eye for detail and drives a hard bargain .......

[edo]

Hoping he doesnt think this Cayman is a shed when he sees it!!!

[iva cosworth]

YES, i may have not ended up with some of the POS i have owned

[boredofmyoldname]

Only one, but whatever he came back with would be thirsty and old.

[B'stard Child]

MDT said:

I would let some do this, and others I would not trust to check a lawn-mower.

I guess I'm lucky in that I've done it several times and it's always turned out well - but I do have a nice network of people can trust in an owners club I'm a member of

[Mastodon2]

If I had a mate who was savvy enough to do a good check and get a good deal, but I don't really have any friends who are into cars at more than a "That is a Focus RS, I like that car, that car is good" level of involvement.

I let my dad buy my first car for me with my money, because at the time I really did not have a clue what I should be looking for at the time, and if I saw the car and did not like it, he could have easily sold it on for a profit on what he paid.

[STW2010]

Generally I know if I am going to buy a car I'm about to view, so long as it matches the advert. I have walked away from more cars than I've bought, so I am quite fussy about the minor details.

But yeah, I would trust a couple of my mates to do this- if the car is as good as it sounds from the advert, then fine. I will say that I want them to check for scratches/dents etc, make sure there are no mechanical problems and that the service history/mileage etc all matches the advert. I would also have a maximum price in mind too.

[Regiment]

No, purely as I would be petrified of coming back and finding myself the owner of mx5

[Vidal Baboon]

I did

[paulshears]

I don't have a mate I'd trust ... but I'd trust my brother & my dad

my brother does paint & bodywork for a living & my dad's a mechnic/mot tester

to be honest I don't go & have a good look at any car without taking at least one of them with me

[va1o]

In response to the OP, yes, but it would depend on the car and price etc.

STW2010 said:

Generally I know if I am going to buy a car I'm about to view, so long as it matches the advert.

same here

[kentmotorcompany]

Good question.

The condition of a used car is a very subjective thing, it would have to be some one who you trust and is very much on the same wavelength.
So I guess it depends if you are lucky enough to have friend like this.