how to pay a private seller when you dont drive the car away
how to pay a private seller when you dont drive the car away
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Discussion

Mkol

Original Poster:

33 posts

59 months

Wednesday 8th September 2021
quotequote all
Hi guys, Im hoping to make a purchase in the next few weeks of a used Tiger Kit car

Most of the cars that im looking at are a good 3/4 hours drive from me and so once ive viewed the car and decided its right for me i would be looking at using a car transporter company to collect the car at a later date.

Im just a bit stumped on how to go about paying the seller? i would be a bit nervous paying someone the full amount or even a deposit and then walking away without the vehicle!


Anyone done this recently, any thoughts?

mradam

172 posts

122 months

Wednesday 8th September 2021
quotequote all
Leave a reasonable deposit then go back with the cash when the transporter is collecting? Maybe a bit inconvenient but a) you'll protect your money and b) you can check the condition of the car on collection and the manner in which the transporter loads up the car. If the sums are significant I wouldn't let a 3 or 4 hour drive concern me.

Wagonwheel555

909 posts

84 months

Wednesday 8th September 2021
quotequote all
You will have to leave some sort of deposit, I can’t see any seller trusting a buyer they don’t know.

If I were the seller, I would want a deposit to ensure you were serious or not a scam etc.

The last thing you want as a seller if somebody claiming they will buy your car, leaving no deposit and then spending weeks messing you about saying they will have it collected..

ZX10R NIN

30,462 posts

153 months

Wednesday 8th September 2021
quotequote all
As above.

Mkol

Original Poster:

33 posts

59 months

Thursday 9th September 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the thoughts, your right i think paying an initial deposit is the right thing to do and just have a bit of faith in the seller.

So then arrange a courier and try to coordinate things sos i can be there when it turns up and pay the balance at the same time...


redandwhite

501 posts

157 months

Thursday 9th September 2021
quotequote all
Pay a deposit and get a full receipt from the seller , time/dated with both signatures

On the day, you dont *need* to be there, you an confirm over the phone that the vehicle is loaded and then bank transfer the amount to the seller, then do the V5 change of owner with the seller over the phone.

I would also suggest testing the account/timescale for transfer with the seller by sending a small amount beforehand to check, this will confirm the details are correct and if payment is received instantly in readiness for sale day.

sandman77

3,331 posts

166 months

Thursday 9th September 2021
quotequote all
It’s only 3 or 4 hours away. Can you not get public transport there and simply drive the car home? It might not be the most comfortable journey home but it’s only a few hours.

Mr Tidy

31,013 posts

155 months

Thursday 9th September 2021
quotequote all
mradam said:
Leave a reasonable deposit then go back with the cash when the transporter is collecting? Maybe a bit inconvenient but a) you'll protect your money and b) you can check the condition of the car on collection and the manner in which the transporter loads up the car. If the sums are significant I wouldn't let a 3 or 4 hour drive concern me.
That definitely sound like the safest arrangement for buyer and seller.

Although last time I bought a car 3/4 hours away I left a deposit then went to collect it with cash in a bag, and a mate who drove my daily driver home.

I'd already insured it and the seller hadn't cancelled the Road Tax so that worked just as well - and probably cheaper!

Plus I got to enjoy a proper drive in my new car - although on a cloudy drizzly December day it wasn't in ideal conditions.

Wacky Racer

41,183 posts

275 months

Thursday 9th September 2021
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When I bought my Tiger Supersix I went down on the train, paid the seller and drove it back over 150 miles.

Fortunately it was a dry hot day as it didn't have a hood. smile

anonymous-user

82 months

Friday 10th September 2021
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Hire a van low loader, then do it yourself.

Mkol

Original Poster:

33 posts

59 months

Friday 10th September 2021
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Thanks for all the replies guys, some great suggestions. one complicating factor here is that the car may or may not be drivable and also if its bad weather (England!) i dont think it would be sensible to drive it home several hundred miles as it would be my first time with the car.

i'll look into the low loader idea or maybe hiring a trailer, i dont have a tow bar fitted yet but this might work out cheaper and easier in the long run possibly.


Speed Badger

3,684 posts

145 months

Friday 10th September 2021
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How come you don't know whether the car is or isn't driveable?

Mkol

Original Poster:

33 posts

59 months

Friday 10th September 2021
quotequote all
Speed Badger said:
How come you don't know whether the car is or isn't driveable?
because im looking at several, some are road worthy already, some are part finished projects and some are track day cars etc that arent registered yet but annoyingly they are all far away!

Chris32345

2,141 posts

90 months

Friday 10th September 2021
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
That definitely sound like the safest arrangement for buyer and seller.

Although last time I bought a car 3/4 hours away I left a deposit then went to collect it with cash in a bag, and a mate who drove my daily driver home.

I'd already insured it and the seller hadn't cancelled the Road Tax so that worked just as well - and probably cheaper!

Plus I got to enjoy a proper drive in my new car - although on a cloudy drizzly December day it wasn't in ideal conditions.
If the transfer is done online (as it should be these days)
The tax in canceled immediately however virtually not chjace of getting pulled on the day as it will take a day or two to update on the systems

Mr Tidy

31,013 posts

155 months

Saturday 11th September 2021
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Chris32345 said:
If the transfer is done online (as it should be these days)
The tax in canceled immediately however virtually not chjace of getting pulled on the day as it will take a day or two to update on the systems
I know, but the seller was a great guy and agreed he would leave it until the next day!

But my mate had his trade plates with him just in case.