calling private seller - what to ask?

[HFC2197]

Long time lurker here, so hello.

Having passed my test in August and saving for a car since then, I'm now in the market for my first car.

I've found a 1.2 Grande Punto for sale from a private seller - everything looks legitimate so I now need to call him. My question is what should I ask him when I make the phone call? What information should I get from him about the car before I make an appointment to view it? Any warning signs to listen out for over the phone? And what is a good sort of person to be dealing with in a private sale?

Thanks, any questions please do ask

H

[sgtbash]

"Whats your best price cash today?"

Edited by sgtbash on Wednesday 7th January 09:04

[raceboy]

Classic 'first line', is always ask 'about the car' this way if he is a private seller he'll just start chatting about the Punto, if he's actually a dealer he'll have to ask you 'which car'.

[Warnie]

For a start it's a Punto Evo you want preferably the GP model in blue with a slightly bigger 1.4 engine. I may or may not have one for sale.....

When you call me just say hello and ask me how I want paying (it will be cash). Then arrange to pick up at my convenience, give me said cash (don't look me in the eye's) then off you go.

[hornetrider]

sgtbash said:

"Whats your best price cash today?"

On a more serious note:

How long have you owned the car, how many owners has it had, why are you selling.

What kind of condition is the bodywork in, any dents, dings, scratches, rust?

Does it have service history and if so by whom and when. When is next service due, is it due anything expensive ie cambelt. Do you have any receipts for any work done to the car.

How long MOT does it have. Were there any advisories last time. Can you have the MOT/V5 document number so you can check out the MOT history online for yourself.

What condition are the tyres in, ie how old are they, (possibly ask do they know the brand - good sign) are they nearing renewal.

Has it ever let you down, if so what was the problem. Does it have any faults, niggles or issues you are aware of that need addressing.

Has the car ever been in an accident to your knowledge, ie in your ownership or prior. ie is it a Cat C/D.

If all above is answered to your satisfaction, I'd ask how flexible is the seller on the price. The answer to this can give you an idea of how to kick off any negotiations when you view the car.

[john2443]

Definitely ask about 'the car' not 'the Punto'.

Read the ad first - don't ask questions that are answered in the ad.

Write down questions that aren't in the ad. Mileage, finance, service history, when was cambelt done, has it been modified, how many owners, how long he's owned it, why's he selling , how long is MOT etc.

Don't discuss price on the phone, that's something for after you've looked at it and decided that you're interested.

Make sure you view it at the sellers address, not in a car park or layby.

[MysteryLemon]

I've never found phone calls to a seller very helpful bar finding out if the car is still for sale and if they're available to let me see it any time soon.

Expecting anything else assumes they actually know enough about cars to answer technical questions and that they are honest enough to not just make it up because they don't know. If theres anything missed out of the advert that you need to know then ask, but if it's not in the advert, they probably don't know or don't care.

You're far better off just making a quick call and going for a viewing. You'll know whether it's the one you want or not based on the condition of the car, how it runs and drives and how much history or lack of (and the reasons why it's missing) there is presented to you.

[PositronicRay]

If you were keeping the car what would you be spending on it?

[Bennet]

I'm not an expert. Just my opinion:

You mission is to find out whether or not it's worth your time to go and see. Basically - does the guy on the other end sound like the sort of person you want to buy from and give him the opportunity to tell you about anything he glossed over in the advert. The amount of information you ask for should be proportional to the distance you'd need to travel to just go and look for yourself.

Some specifics I usually include:

How long have you owned it?
- if he says "oh just a couple of months, I bought it for me daughter but she didn't want it" - this is always followed by finding out the v5c isn't even in his name because he "never bothered changing it over".

Why are you selling it?
- there's no comprehensive list of good and bad answers here and a perfectly good answer can still be a lie, but it's a good conversation filler and helps you get a feel for what you are dealing with.

Is there anything I should know? - This can bring out a bit of honesty about the bad points, I've found.

Don't ask about money off. It puts a bad taste in his mouth.

[HFC2197]

Thanks for all the replies. Been very helpful. Going to call later so i'll let you know what happens.

Advert is here by the way...anything unusual jump out?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Claudia Skies]

MysteryLemon said:

I've never found phone calls to a seller very helpful bar finding out if the car is still for sale and if they're available to let me see it any time soon.

You're far better off just making a quick call and going for a viewing.

Totally agree.

[hornetrider]

HFC2197 said:

Thanks for all the replies. Been very helpful. Going to call later so i'll let you know what happens.

Advert is here by the way...anything unusual jump out?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

'Taxed to end of November 2015' - no it isn't, not under the new rules. You need to buy tax when you buy it. Ergo irrelevant.

Good news on the cambelt, bad news on service history. Find out what 'part history' means and decide if that's important for you and is reflected in the price comparing this to other similar Puntos.

[Durzel]

Open by running down his car, and the marque, talk about nebulous issues with various components that the manufacturer has ignored. Then end the conversation by telling him you're doing him a favour by taking it off his hands, and that you can be there with cash at midnight.

Figured you had enough good advice already

[TooMany2cvs]

HFC2197 said:

Advert is here by the way...anything unusual jump out?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

"Paperwork available" is an odd phrase for a private seller to use. Add in the key fob having no house keys, no fob - just what looks to be almost a "stock" tag on it - I'd start by wondering if it's an under-the-radar trader. Also - dash shot. Handbrake light on, yes, but what are the other two? It is running...

[hornetrider]

TooMany2cvs said:

Add in the key fob having no house keys, no fob - just what looks to be almost a "stock" tag on it - I'd start by wondering if it's an under-the-radar trader.

Must admit, looks like a house key to me.

TooMany2cvs said:

Also - dash shot. Handbrake light on, yes, but what are the other two? It is running...

Looks fine - door open and seatbelt not fastened. google is great eh

http://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/321627-amber...

[balls-out]

Some sensible advice.

whilst not a HARD rule, I find cars with fewer owners tend to be the good ones, so that's worth asking.

Other Key question is "Is the car registered in your name at the address that I am visiting to view".

[TooMany2cvs]

Yes, you're right about the house key - I was looking at the more side-on pic for that, and distracted by the bright lights in the squarer-on one...

[GreatGranny]

Looks an ok car.
As above ask what exactly is part history.
Maybe he's done it himself or it means missed services.

Ask to see proof of work done including servicing.
Stamp in a book doesn't mean alot.

[balls-out]

TooMany2cvs said:

"Paperwork available" is an odd phrase for a private seller to use. Add in the key fob having no house keys, no fob - just what looks to be almost a "stock" tag on it - I'd start by wondering if it's an under-the-radar trader. Also - dash shot. Handbrake light on, yes, but what are the other two? It is running...

I have never added my house key onto my car keyring. the car key ring contains only those directly connected to the car. Is that not the norm?

I suspect the "Paperwork available" means the receipt for this work is a significant proportion of the total seervice history.

I would regard this car as guilty of being 'clocked' unless there is a clear trail showing its not.

[anonymous-user]

balls-out said:

TooMany2cvs said:

"Paperwork available" is an odd phrase for a private seller to use. Add in the key fob having no house keys, no fob - just what looks to be almost a "stock" tag on it - I'd start by wondering if it's an under-the-radar trader. Also - dash shot. Handbrake light on, yes, but what are the other two? It is running...

I have never added my house key onto my car keyring. the car key ring contains only those directly connected to the car. Is that not the norm?

No. All my keys on one bunch. I'm not carrying 2 bunches of keys around like a tt. If I've got my car key, then I've also got my house key, garage key, boat key, and country estate automatic gate fob.