Buying classics sight unseen from abroad...

[DodgyGeezer]

I'm sure some on here will have experience of this so hoping to get some solid/commonsense advice...

I may be in a position to buy one of my dream cars in the next month or 3, the only problem is I'll not be able to inspect (almost certainly going yo be imported from the USA). I know this is not beyond with or reason I'd just like to make sure (or as sure as i can be!) thst I'm not going to potentially spaff a huge (to me) summer of money on:
- a piece of crap
- something not as good as advertised
- a scam
- UK legal (though tbf thats pretty much covered in the first 3 worries)

Any thoughts?

[stuartmmcfc]

I did it and it was fairly painless. Get an independent inspection is my main advice. Google will provide plenty in the states

[Skyedriver]

Helpful if you could get it independently inspected.
Friend bought an MGA from the States, was supposedly in good nick, last I saw it, every panel had been off or replaced.

I've been tempted a few times with cars from Europe or SA but haven't pulled the trigger. Is it anymore risky than buying unseen from another part of this country?

[DodgyGeezer]

Skyedriver said:

Helpful if you could get it independently inspected.
Friend bought an MGA from the States, was supposedly in good nick, last I saw it, every panel had been off or replaced.

I've been tempted a few times with cars from Europe or SA but haven't pulled the trigger. Is it anymore risky than buying unseen from another part of this country?

I think that if you were spending (relatively) large in the country you'd be likely to go and see it at a weekend...

The idea of 3rd party inspections is on obvious one and I guess comes with its own risk - but there has to come a time when you've just got to trust the process and reviews. That said I doff my cap at those who purchased from the US in the pre-internet days

[Dog Biscuit]

DodgyGeezer said:

I'm sure some on here will have experience of this so hoping to get some solid/commonsense advice...

I may be in a position to buy one of my dream cars in the next month or 3, the only problem is I'll not be able to inspect (almost certainly going yo be imported from the USA). I know this is not beyond with or reason I'd just like to make sure (or as sure as i can be!) thst I'm not going to potentially spaff a huge (to me) summer of money on:
- a piece of crap
- something not as good as advertised
- a scam
- UK legal (though tbf thats pretty much covered in the first 3 worries)

Any thoughts?

I thought all US cars were pieces of crap?

[Panamax]

Dog Biscuit said:

I thought all US cars were pieces of crap?

Compared with a Ferrari? Possibly.

Compared with a Vauxhall Astra? No.

[DodgyGeezer]

Dog Biscuit said:

I thought all US cars were pieces of crap?