Buying s car from a Private seller
Discussion
Going to look at car over the weekend (hopefully) from a private seller.
I've never bought a car from a private seller, I want to get the RAC out or similar to do a check over the car but whats the logistics of all this, obviously I don't want to for out £200 on an inspection if he will sell to someone else and I can't put a deposit down but the car ticks all the boxes (as long as it is sound).
Would love a bit of advice from people who've got experience on this.
I've never bought a car from a private seller, I want to get the RAC out or similar to do a check over the car but whats the logistics of all this, obviously I don't want to for out £200 on an inspection if he will sell to someone else and I can't put a deposit down but the car ticks all the boxes (as long as it is sound).
Would love a bit of advice from people who've got experience on this.
dojo said:
Going to look at car over the weekend (hopefully) from a private seller.
I've never bought a car from a private seller, I want to get the RAC out or similar to do a check over the car but whats the logistics of all this, obviously I don't want to for out £200 on an inspection if he will sell to someone else and I can't put a deposit down but the car ticks all the boxes (as long as it is sound).
Would love a bit of advice from people who've got experience on this.
Offer a dipper subject to a satisfactory inspection.I've never bought a car from a private seller, I want to get the RAC out or similar to do a check over the car but whats the logistics of all this, obviously I don't want to for out £200 on an inspection if he will sell to someone else and I can't put a deposit down but the car ticks all the boxes (as long as it is sound).
Would love a bit of advice from people who've got experience on this.
As a seller I wouldn't want a post dated cheque, £100 cash is a show of good faith.
Why not phone the seller, pose the question and ask if they would be happy with this sort of arrangement. If they wouldn't you can then consider if you want to take it any further.
Be careful re the RAC inspection thing, if you're of a nervous disposition you will never buy a car after reading their report. Sometimes it's better to get a trusted indy or marque specialist to look at it. Not only will they tell you what needs doing but also how much and how quickly it will need to done.
What car are you going to see?
Why not phone the seller, pose the question and ask if they would be happy with this sort of arrangement. If they wouldn't you can then consider if you want to take it any further.
Be careful re the RAC inspection thing, if you're of a nervous disposition you will never buy a car after reading their report. Sometimes it's better to get a trusted indy or marque specialist to look at it. Not only will they tell you what needs doing but also how much and how quickly it will need to done.
What car are you going to see?
Edited by PositronicRay on Friday 12th December 14:34
Dojo,
If you are buying a car privately, you should be aware that you have no legal comeback WHATSOEVER. My experience of using AA/RAC inspections is that, in order to justify the cost of using them, the inspector is under some pressure to find SOMETHING wrong. I am not suggesting they are dishonest, far from it, but they will find every single little niggly thing which will "wind up" and generally antagonise the seller.
It seems to me that because of your lack of experience you should be buying from a motor dealer. You are going to pay more but the law etc. is completely on your side. Any problems and you CAN take it back.
If you do use AA/RAC and something goes wrong at a later date, you will then have no end of problems trying to get some sort of recourse from either of these 2 companies.
If you are buying a car privately, you should be aware that you have no legal comeback WHATSOEVER. My experience of using AA/RAC inspections is that, in order to justify the cost of using them, the inspector is under some pressure to find SOMETHING wrong. I am not suggesting they are dishonest, far from it, but they will find every single little niggly thing which will "wind up" and generally antagonise the seller.
It seems to me that because of your lack of experience you should be buying from a motor dealer. You are going to pay more but the law etc. is completely on your side. Any problems and you CAN take it back.
If you do use AA/RAC and something goes wrong at a later date, you will then have no end of problems trying to get some sort of recourse from either of these 2 companies.
I have bought a LOT of second hand cars, always privately.
A recent MOT is probably as good as an AA/RAC report IMO.
This is Good:
Quality matching axle tyres.
A neat folder full of receipts means the owner is thinking about the next owner.
Is the house nice? Are you invited in for a cup of tea whilst going over the service history?
Are the car mats clean and properly tailored to the vehicle?
Is the interior clean - the more spotless the better.
Does the paintwork feel smooth indicating recent polishing & care?
This is bad:
LingLong ditch-finders = probably no servicing, or very cheap oil only changes at KwikFit.
Short MOT is not ideal.
Are you met by a big angry dog and a sofa dumped in the garden?
Has the car changed owners a lot recently?
A recent MOT is probably as good as an AA/RAC report IMO.
This is Good:
Quality matching axle tyres.
A neat folder full of receipts means the owner is thinking about the next owner.
Is the house nice? Are you invited in for a cup of tea whilst going over the service history?
Are the car mats clean and properly tailored to the vehicle?
Is the interior clean - the more spotless the better.
Does the paintwork feel smooth indicating recent polishing & care?
This is bad:
LingLong ditch-finders = probably no servicing, or very cheap oil only changes at KwikFit.
Short MOT is not ideal.
Are you met by a big angry dog and a sofa dumped in the garden?
Has the car changed owners a lot recently?
Would help to know what kind of car/budget you're looking at.
I have expectations when going to see a £1000 316 SE and expectations of a £20,000 M3, for example.
I usually ask the seller pretty much everything I can, a good, knowledgeable and enthusiastic seller is usually (But not always) a sign of a well maintained car.
Buying from a dealer is not without risks but they are usually minimal if using a main dealer - however you will pay a serious premium for the privilege.
I have expectations when going to see a £1000 316 SE and expectations of a £20,000 M3, for example.
I usually ask the seller pretty much everything I can, a good, knowledgeable and enthusiastic seller is usually (But not always) a sign of a well maintained car.
Buying from a dealer is not without risks but they are usually minimal if using a main dealer - however you will pay a serious premium for the privilege.
I'm not sure I'd recommend AA/RAC reports having seen many in action. As posted above, a lot of what they cover is basic MOT stuff anyway.
If you are vaguely competent at inspecting a car yourself (i.e. you can check levels and spot an obvious headgaskey failure) then don't waste your money.
I would also add that as a dealer I have had more than one simply give the car a quick glance over then ask for some cash to pass it.
If you are vaguely competent at inspecting a car yourself (i.e. you can check levels and spot an obvious headgaskey failure) then don't waste your money.
I would also add that as a dealer I have had more than one simply give the car a quick glance over then ask for some cash to pass it.
PositronicRay said:
As a seller I wouldn't want a post dated cheque, £100 cash is a show of good faith.
This is always the thing that amazes me about "private seller" threads. Nobody EVER seems to think about what they'd be happy with if the boot was on the other foot. Everybody always assumes the other bloke is trying to rip them off.When buying s
tters, if it's local, I have usually approach it with the old : I'll pay for an MOT at .........MOT place that I know will let me look under the car and tell me the truth.......... and if it passes I'll give you £XXX cash immediately, if it fails we'll talk.
That's after I've spent 3/4 of an hour getting my hands dirty, and looking at the underneath with a torch.
tters, if it's local, I have usually approach it with the old : I'll pay for an MOT at .........MOT place that I know will let me look under the car and tell me the truth.......... and if it passes I'll give you £XXX cash immediately, if it fails we'll talk. That's after I've spent 3/4 of an hour getting my hands dirty, and looking at the underneath with a torch.
I always prefer to buy privately.
Look as much at the owner as the car. How long has he had it, where was it serviced. Premium brand matching tyres. try and find a nice anal seller. all the receipts catalogued, indexed and cross referenced, oil changes every 3000 miles just 'on the safe side'.
ISTR a post dated cheque is meaningless.
Look as much at the owner as the car. How long has he had it, where was it serviced. Premium brand matching tyres. try and find a nice anal seller. all the receipts catalogued, indexed and cross referenced, oil changes every 3000 miles just 'on the safe side'.
ISTR a post dated cheque is meaningless.
PositronicRay said:
£100 cash is a show of good faith.
Yes. But just bear in mind that if the seller does sell the car to someone else you may be left whistling for both your deposit and the inspection fee.Also, once you've paid the fee the inspecting company might be willing to inspect a different car for your original fee if the original inspection gets cancelled in good time.
My rule of thumb... If you like it, ask seller if he minds an inspection. If he does, walk away. If he's fine with it, negotiate a price and offer £100 deposit and that you will purchase providing the inspection doesn't show up something major - like it's stolen, or it's been smashed to bits and repaired. Reassure seller you won't be trying to renegotiate for anything minor, such as brakes or tyres.
Everybody happy. You'll then get a good 'task list' from the inspection company (or at best confirmation you've found a great one) and reassurance that it's not a ringer.
Job jobbed.
Everybody happy. You'll then get a good 'task list' from the inspection company (or at best confirmation you've found a great one) and reassurance that it's not a ringer.
Job jobbed.
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