Buying a car without seeing it first?

[paulguitar]

I was wondering how many folks here buy cars without having seen them first? I was mulling this over today and realize that I have bought my last three cars this way.


I am based in Shropshire, in the midlands. In 2011 I bought a BMW 330i from a seller in Durham, just having looked at a Pistonheads ad for it and spoken with the seller on the phone. In 2013 I bought a BMW 745i from a trader in Essex, and in 2015 I bought my current Merc 350 SLK from a seller on the south coast, again, just from the PH ad and chatting with the seller on the phone. In the case of the Merc, I did not even collect the car, I had it delivered on a transporter. All three have been good cars. Is this fairly common or do most on here go over their car purchases in person?

[alabbasi]

I do it all the time. I try to get them at a price where I will be able to move them without taking too bad a haircut or turn them into parts cars if things go sideways .

[T5R+]

Regularly "buy blind".

Only car that I had thoroughly checked out was the Porsche given the outlay but many others "happy" to buy over the phone.

[simonsti]

Last one I bought without seeing was my 996TT...£500 phone deposit and a 500 mile round trip and 4 years later still love it.

Edited by simonsti on Sunday 29th April 17:33

[J4CKO]

Would do with enthusiast owned interesting stuff or nearly new cars, bought a Ford Galaxy at a year old from Ford blind (you have to be...) and it was perfect but from the average private seller or non franchised dealer selling a five year old car plus car, unlikely, but suppose it depends on what bought means, its only really ever a holding deposit until you pay the rest so they dont sell it to someone else but if something bad comes to light, then you should always be able to walk away.

I agreed 8 grand for my 350Z, seller was a lovely chap but not very fussy and not into his cars, it had been serviced but not looked after, wasnt as good as he said, I was set to walk away but an extra grand off made the difference.

[MDL111]

Bought 4 of my last 5 cars without seeing them - one I had to see as the dealer would not have taken me seriously without coming for a visit. During my life only test drove 1 car prior to buying it.

[M4cruiser]

No, I would never do this. No two used cars are alike. Not even if the model, colour, mileage and history are the same.

I once paid £100 (returnable) deposit over the phone, to reserve it until the weekend (it was 100 miles away) then didn't like it when I drove it and wanted my £100 back, but I felt under pressure to buy a different car from the same (used-car) dealer. As it happened they did have another one I wanted, but I felt uncomfortable.

So now, if anyone wants any money at all before I see it, I say no, and am happy to risk the wasted journey.

[Truckosaurus]

Have done it with my two lease cars, hadn't even seen a V60 in the flesh before it turned up.

I've not really got any specific requirements regarding space or functionality and whilst not shy around the buffet I'm somewhat average height so should fit into any modern car comfortably, so I don't think there's much to be gained by test driving a dull daily driver.

I don't think I'd do it for a used car that wasn't backed by a solid gold warranty, but for a manufacturer's AUC that you've pick the perfect spec from somewhere else in the country then why not.

[Fun Bus]

I did it 6 months ago. A Golf GTi from a main dealer in Edinburgh - I live in Nottingham. Salesman was just brilliant - photos, honest description and a really nice bloke to deal with. He even said that if I don’t like it, he’ll pay for me to get home.

Flew up to collect it, was met at the airport and taken to the dealer by the salesman himself. Car was everything and more I was expecting. Condition and standard of valet was excellent for a 6 year old car. Everything promised was done - and more. The Wife and I were having lunch at a particular eatery (Tom Kitchin’s Scran & Scrallie) and the salesman let us take his Golf R demo before returning to take the GTi home.

When I told family and friends I was buying unseen they were amazed - I am the last person they’d expect to do such a thing.

6 months in and no regrets on the car or the buying experience. And for me, that’s saying something as I’m a particular sod at the best of times.

[stuartmmcfc]

Not only had I not seen my Cougar when I bought it from the States but I’d never actually seen one in the flesh either.
Very relived when it arrived and it was as described and I liked it

[timberman]

5 of the last 8 cars I purchased have been bought this way,

all have been either ordered new with the decision being based purely on reviews and personal requirements and no kind of test drive undertaken, or, models less than one year old, purchased from main dealers where I felt confident the car would be in a condition I would be happy with and the deal being done over the phone including securing a price for any part exchange I wanted to trade.

anything older and I'd really want to see it before making a commitment

[Draculaw]

I’ve never done it, but would strongly consider it for a car a long way away. I’m completely technically inept, so can only tell if it goes (or not).

If it’s an approved model I’d be pretty comfortable doing it.

[SultanOfSwing]

I'm currently looking at a Mondeo Estate in Manchester and I live in Windsor.

They do free delivery so I'm considering this method.

[SCEtoAUX]

Bought my Z4 and my first MR2 this way. I'd never even driven those models before but both from main dealers and both on the basis of money back if I didn't like them.

[Dannbodge]

Bought my Leon Cupra in Feb without seeing it, well except the normal pictures from the dealer.

First time I actually saw it was when the dealer picked me up from the train station to collect it

[griffter]

No way. I’ve never viewed a car yet which I found nothing wrong with. Many I’ve mentally turned down within seconds of arrival.

But I’ve bought lots without a test drive. If a car checks out physically, and it’s the model I want, what’s a test drive going to tell me?

[designforlife]

I more or less did, paid the guy a £250 deposit based on photos then collected the car 10 weeks later (he was using it as a daily until his next daily rolled off the boat from Japan), but had already started buying parts for it, so the decision had been made on my part.

However I pretty much knew from extensive photos that it would be a good buy, so just went with it.

[paulguitar]

griffter said:

But I’ve bought lots without a test drive. If a car checks out physically, and it’s the model I want, what’s a test drive going to tell me?

Whether it starts, stops and goes properly. Possible engine issues, suspension noises and knocks, correct operation of the all of the controls etc.

[zedx19]

paulguitar said:

Whether it starts, stops and goes properly. Possible engine issues, suspension noises and knocks, correct operation of the all of the controls etc.

This! Many many cars I've viewed which appear perfect until driven, then have suspension knocks or misfires or clutch slip or uneven braking or warped brake discs or a speedo that didn't work at all (it's never done that before line) or overheated or aircon that didn't click on etc etc etc

Personally I could not buy a car without test driving it first unless it was brand new.

[ninjag]

Only with my most recent car but it was still a refundable deposit if not as described and they shipped it up on a transporter. It was a main dealer (Infiniti so a different manufacturer) so probably a little safer than it only being a single dealer. I still got a test drive etc but obviously there was more pressure to buy, if it was a case of me simply not liking the car then I wouldn't get the £500 back as it would have to cover the transporter costs.

Bonus using a nationwide main dealer is that any problems could be taken to my local dealer, although it turned out to be a 3rd party warranty, although a very well reviewed one so I'm happy enough and extended it for an additional year. Only had two small issues at the beginning (door actuator and boot lock cable) which the dealer fixed themselves without any fuss and since then the car has been faultless and it's a Jaguar [gasp!].

Previously when looking for a Honda CRV I was gobsmacked at the poor condition of the various ones I test drove and these were all main dealer ones. Inside and out were unprepared (they said they only prepare them once you decide to buy it - seriously?), there were scratches and marks all over the trim and bodywork, mold on the seat belts, very rough sounding engines, suspension that felt shot etc etc. These were only about 5 year old cars as well!