Buying process during Lockdown 3.0
Discussion
Hi,
It's looking unlikely Lockdown 3.0 (or us all being in Tier 4, take your pick) being lifted for a few months yet, whilst it's looking increasingly likely I will be changing my car.
Would anyone be able to explain what it is like buying cars remotely?
I understand that there is a Consumer Act which provides protection to remote buyers, i.e. same as buying a pair of shoes that don't fit so you just send it back?
I would like to consider my options and (potential) benefit(s) of buying during lockdown by being offered these not-often applied consumer acts?
Thanks,
It's looking unlikely Lockdown 3.0 (or us all being in Tier 4, take your pick) being lifted for a few months yet, whilst it's looking increasingly likely I will be changing my car.
Would anyone be able to explain what it is like buying cars remotely?
I understand that there is a Consumer Act which provides protection to remote buyers, i.e. same as buying a pair of shoes that don't fit so you just send it back?
I would like to consider my options and (potential) benefit(s) of buying during lockdown by being offered these not-often applied consumer acts?
Thanks,
Buying a car right now is going to prove a little trickier than normal.
A private sale is pretty much a no no. You aren't legally allowed to travel and/or to visit anyone for any purpose other than child care or to meet one person from a bubble in order to exercise - though even on that i am not 100% clear.
Dealers have remained open in a lot of circumstance and many have begun to offer remote buying, however, that doesn't remove all of the pitfalls concerned with buying a vehicle sight unseen.
A lot will depend on your market - from a franchised dealer and a brand new car the impact is likely minimal compared to the likes of a cheap second hand car lot with a car for £1500. There maybe shouldn't be, but there is. Cheaper the car, higher the risk. Just be polite and talk it through with the dealer. They should understand the circumstance and do what they can to alleviate your concerns (whilst also covering themselves). If they get pushy or difficult etc. Then walk away and look elsewhere. You are under no obligation, at that point you are just talking about "what if's".
Make sure to decide how you are financing the car and if via loan or car finance be sure to ask the company what would happen should you be unhappy with the purchase once the car is delivered - at that point they own the car and not you and as such will have a vested interest to help you sort it out. That isn't necessarily an easy prospect to go through but its avenue should things go wrong.
If you buy on credit card there is a level of consumer buyer protection - be sure to run this by your card issuer before going ahead with any sale. Check with them what is covered and in what circumstance.
These are all just tips but mostly they are common sense elements to consider regardless of when you purchase.
Get a video walk around of the car, make sure you ask very specific questions about faults and issues so that they are documented. Make sure that you do HPI checks and MOT history checks to align the information provided with what is on file about the car.
At the end of day, you are the only person who can say if you feel comfortable or not. If you aren't 100% wait till lock down is over to buy a new car. Unless there is a reason you must change now, why consider it at all - its only a few months at worst.
Apply common sense to how you would usually buy a car as well as being overtly cautious and questioning of the process and your understanding of what needs to happen and then make the decision you are most comfortable with.
I am sure others in the trade will be along to help you maybe with more. As said, much of this is just common sense tips id apply to myself buying in this situation. Good luck.
A private sale is pretty much a no no. You aren't legally allowed to travel and/or to visit anyone for any purpose other than child care or to meet one person from a bubble in order to exercise - though even on that i am not 100% clear.
Dealers have remained open in a lot of circumstance and many have begun to offer remote buying, however, that doesn't remove all of the pitfalls concerned with buying a vehicle sight unseen.
A lot will depend on your market - from a franchised dealer and a brand new car the impact is likely minimal compared to the likes of a cheap second hand car lot with a car for £1500. There maybe shouldn't be, but there is. Cheaper the car, higher the risk. Just be polite and talk it through with the dealer. They should understand the circumstance and do what they can to alleviate your concerns (whilst also covering themselves). If they get pushy or difficult etc. Then walk away and look elsewhere. You are under no obligation, at that point you are just talking about "what if's".
Make sure to decide how you are financing the car and if via loan or car finance be sure to ask the company what would happen should you be unhappy with the purchase once the car is delivered - at that point they own the car and not you and as such will have a vested interest to help you sort it out. That isn't necessarily an easy prospect to go through but its avenue should things go wrong.
If you buy on credit card there is a level of consumer buyer protection - be sure to run this by your card issuer before going ahead with any sale. Check with them what is covered and in what circumstance.
These are all just tips but mostly they are common sense elements to consider regardless of when you purchase.
Get a video walk around of the car, make sure you ask very specific questions about faults and issues so that they are documented. Make sure that you do HPI checks and MOT history checks to align the information provided with what is on file about the car.
At the end of day, you are the only person who can say if you feel comfortable or not. If you aren't 100% wait till lock down is over to buy a new car. Unless there is a reason you must change now, why consider it at all - its only a few months at worst.
Apply common sense to how you would usually buy a car as well as being overtly cautious and questioning of the process and your understanding of what needs to happen and then make the decision you are most comfortable with.
I am sure others in the trade will be along to help you maybe with more. As said, much of this is just common sense tips id apply to myself buying in this situation. Good luck.
Hi
Thanks for the comments and I do understand what the restrictions entail.
My weekly mileage is typically a minimum of 400 miles. I am also obliged to provide a reliable car for work as part of my employment. Now my current car can be kept running for a while further, it is the logistics of if it is in and out of a workshop a lot or ends up needing recovery. Some clients spend well into four figures with my employer for surveys and inspections on property, so as you can understand I need to reasonably minimise car downtime.
As indicated in a past topic of mine I am likely looking at around £10k plus or minus a few grand as I have not yet decided on how much extra (or not) I am prepared to spend to get something nicer (ie deciding on the worth to me).
What is the score with the 14 day returns option I have seen mentioned? Is this mandatory by the consumer act?
Thanks for the comments and I do understand what the restrictions entail.
My weekly mileage is typically a minimum of 400 miles. I am also obliged to provide a reliable car for work as part of my employment. Now my current car can be kept running for a while further, it is the logistics of if it is in and out of a workshop a lot or ends up needing recovery. Some clients spend well into four figures with my employer for surveys and inspections on property, so as you can understand I need to reasonably minimise car downtime.
As indicated in a past topic of mine I am likely looking at around £10k plus or minus a few grand as I have not yet decided on how much extra (or not) I am prepared to spend to get something nicer (ie deciding on the worth to me).
What is the score with the 14 day returns option I have seen mentioned? Is this mandatory by the consumer act?
stevekoz said:
A private sale is pretty much a no no. You aren't legally allowed to travel and/or to visit anyone for any purpose other than child care or to meet one person from a bubble in order to exercise - though even on that i am not 100% clear.
Your summary of the law is incorrect. You can leave your house provided you have a reasonable excuse, which is not limited to exercise and childcare. Buying a car is a reasonable excuse. I'm currently delivering a few cars for a local dealer.
There's paperwork relating to the distance selling rules, in that the customer has 14 days to change their mind.
However.
There's a mileage limit of which there's a charge of £1.00 per mile for anything over that limit.
It also says it's the customers responsibility to return the car, at their expense.
So bear that in mind if the dealer delivers the car, and they're miles away.
I've just bought a car remotely myself also, and the paperwork is pretty similar.
BUT! and it's a big but!!!!
All fine if you're dealing with proper dealers who play by the rules.
Many dealers don't play by the rules and will simply fight you on a return.
Then it'll be a long, frustrating, process for you to sort it all out.
Maybe even resulting in you going the legal route with them. And all whilst you might have a car on your drive that you cannot use.
So as above poster has rightly said, it's not without risks.
There's paperwork relating to the distance selling rules, in that the customer has 14 days to change their mind.
However.
There's a mileage limit of which there's a charge of £1.00 per mile for anything over that limit.
It also says it's the customers responsibility to return the car, at their expense.
So bear that in mind if the dealer delivers the car, and they're miles away.
I've just bought a car remotely myself also, and the paperwork is pretty similar.
BUT! and it's a big but!!!!
All fine if you're dealing with proper dealers who play by the rules.
Many dealers don't play by the rules and will simply fight you on a return.
Then it'll be a long, frustrating, process for you to sort it all out.
Maybe even resulting in you going the legal route with them. And all whilst you might have a car on your drive that you cannot use.
So as above poster has rightly said, it's not without risks.
Agree with the commentary about private buying you are able to if you want to.
Regarding buying from garages, I bought a 3 year old VW Touareg from a VW dealer, Couldn't test drive it, but could inspect it. The terms of the deal allowing me to return it for any reason were written down and as far as I could see, followed what you'd expect, but put a limit of reasonable mileage (20) to check the car out. If returned with a higher mileage there was a per mile charge which was reasonable in my view. Whilst that might have been more restrictive that the distance selling regs (or whatever they are called), it seemed very fair.
To conclude the deal, I had to meet the sales person (probably not strictly what they are allowed to do as they are supposed to be closed) in the open air to do the handover.
All very easy and as the car was as described, I didn't have to work out how much hassle it would have been to reverse the transaction! I imagine for a start the dealer wouldhave tried very hard to fix any problems or counter my objections - who knows!
HTH
Bert
Regarding buying from garages, I bought a 3 year old VW Touareg from a VW dealer, Couldn't test drive it, but could inspect it. The terms of the deal allowing me to return it for any reason were written down and as far as I could see, followed what you'd expect, but put a limit of reasonable mileage (20) to check the car out. If returned with a higher mileage there was a per mile charge which was reasonable in my view. Whilst that might have been more restrictive that the distance selling regs (or whatever they are called), it seemed very fair.
To conclude the deal, I had to meet the sales person (probably not strictly what they are allowed to do as they are supposed to be closed) in the open air to do the handover.
All very easy and as the car was as described, I didn't have to work out how much hassle it would have been to reverse the transaction! I imagine for a start the dealer wouldhave tried very hard to fix any problems or counter my objections - who knows!
HTH
Bert
Im currently in the process of buying a car from a private seller.
I went and viewed the car adhering to guidelines, showed proof of insurance had a test drive.
Lots of videos and photos were provided before and after the sale was agreed if i had any questions i forgot.
That night negotiated via phone and transferred him a deposit. The sale isnt entirely simple, the car was owned by the gentlemans father who passed away and has a private plate on that he is getting retained. In hindsight this should have been done before he put it up for sale. I am in no rush as its a little project for me to enjoy.
We are waiting for the old plate to be transferred back on and i will get someone in my support bubble ( have a child under 1) to drive me there hand over the cash and drive myself home.
I went and viewed the car adhering to guidelines, showed proof of insurance had a test drive.
Lots of videos and photos were provided before and after the sale was agreed if i had any questions i forgot.
That night negotiated via phone and transferred him a deposit. The sale isnt entirely simple, the car was owned by the gentlemans father who passed away and has a private plate on that he is getting retained. In hindsight this should have been done before he put it up for sale. I am in no rush as its a little project for me to enjoy.
We are waiting for the old plate to be transferred back on and i will get someone in my support bubble ( have a child under 1) to drive me there hand over the cash and drive myself home.
Jcwjosh said:
Im currently in the process of buying a car from a private seller.
I went and viewed the car adhering to guidelines, showed proof of insurance had a test drive.
Lots of videos and photos were provided before and after the sale was agreed if i had any questions i forgot.
That night negotiated via phone and transferred him a deposit. The sale isnt entirely simple, the car was owned by the gentlemans father who passed away and has a private plate on that he is getting retained. In hindsight this should have been done before he put it up for sale. I am in no rush as its a little project for me to enjoy.
We are waiting for the old plate to be transferred back on and i will get someone in my support bubble ( have a child under 1) to drive me there hand over the cash and drive myself home.
Its a grey area, This guy was fined because it was a car swap, not buying a replacement car? Also not a good enough excuse for being out after 10pm? Initially pulled over for another reason, which may or may not be a bullsI went and viewed the car adhering to guidelines, showed proof of insurance had a test drive.
Lots of videos and photos were provided before and after the sale was agreed if i had any questions i forgot.
That night negotiated via phone and transferred him a deposit. The sale isnt entirely simple, the car was owned by the gentlemans father who passed away and has a private plate on that he is getting retained. In hindsight this should have been done before he put it up for sale. I am in no rush as its a little project for me to enjoy.
We are waiting for the old plate to be transferred back on and i will get someone in my support bubble ( have a child under 1) to drive me there hand over the cash and drive myself home.
t cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap? https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
xstian said:
Its a grey area, This guy was fined because it was a car swap, not buying a replacement car? Also not a good enough excuse for being out after 10pm? Initially pulled over for another reason, which may or may not be a bullst cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
Just because the police issue a fine, doesn't mean their interpretation of the law is correct. t cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap? https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
PrinceRupert said:
xstian said:
Its a grey area, This guy was fined because it was a car swap, not buying a replacement car? Also not a good enough excuse for being out after 10pm? Initially pulled over for another reason, which may or may not be a bullst cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
Just because the police issue a fine, doesn't mean their interpretation of the law is correct. t cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap? https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
xstian said:
PrinceRupert said:
xstian said:
Its a grey area, This guy was fined because it was a car swap, not buying a replacement car? Also not a good enough excuse for being out after 10pm? Initially pulled over for another reason, which may or may not be a bullst cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
Just because the police issue a fine, doesn't mean their interpretation of the law is correct. t cover for an excuse to pull them over to see what they are doing. Would a trade in come under a car swap? https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/1...
I live in Norfolk and the car I want to buy is in Edinburgh, one of only 400 made, so not unreasonable to have to travel to find the right car. I don't know if I would want to risk that journey at the moment though.
There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
xstian said:
I agree, but I'm not sure buying a used car is going to be OK for everybody in every situation. Like above I could easily buy a car locally, just not the one I want.
There isn't anything in the legislation that says the distance has to be reasonable, only that you have a reasonable excuse to leave your home. So, if it is a reasonable excuse to leave your home to buy a car, it doesn't matter if is 10 miles away or 100 miles away. Hoofy said:
He did travel 100 miles for the swap.
There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
Its £100 fine if paid within 14 days right? There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
If I am dropping thousands on a car, £100 fine seems worth the risk.
Each to their own.
Hoofy said:
He did travel 100 miles for the swap.
There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
It doesn't need to be essential.There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
PrinceRupert said:
Hoofy said:
He did travel 100 miles for the swap.
There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
It doesn't need to be essential.There are plenty of suitable cars within 10 miles of you that can get you to work and to do your weekly shop. Me driving to Durham from London to pick up a rare Ferrari is hardly essential travel even if it might suit some former government officials.
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