Going to buy a car in the morning

[thebullettrain]

I'm off to make a large purchase from an independent dealer in the morning. Is there anything to look out for? In particular, should I ring BMW customer service for a FSH check? Apparently it was serviced at 20 and 40k.

Further, shall I do my own hpi or rely on the independent dealer's?

[hornetrider]

You're going to buy tomorrow but you haven't run through any paperwork yet?

How much is the car? Do your own hpi.

[Jobbo]

You have *no* protection from someone else's HPI check. For all you know, the dealer who carried out the check may themselves have finance on the car. Get one.

And since it's a BMW, get on their premium rate phone line and check out the original spec and dealer visits. It may have been in a dozen times between services; obtain whatever info is available to you beforehand.

[thebullettrain]

20k, plan to buy there and then if I like it. Will hpi with the AA. Any thoughts on contacting BMW (customer service or the local dealer re the service history)?

Cars 300 mile away so not that easy to check.

[thebullettrain]

Cheers Jobbo, do you have a number or a link to it please?

[Jobbo]

"Should you wish to obtain details of a vehicle's specification, or information on the visits to a dealership of a particular vehicle, this is only available by calling our dedicated team on: 0906 209 0001 (Calls are charged at £1 per minute). Lines are open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded for training purposes."

Oops, didn't realise they were shut at weekends! Sorry. Try going to your nearest BMW dealer and asking very nicely first thing.

[thebullettrain]

Thanks, will ask!

[koolchris99]

i posted on here about a z4 and someone ran the check for me...

very useful, it had somehow lost 40k ish miles.

[hornetrider]

Have you not spoken about the history over the phone? Date, mileage, dealer?Then rung the dealer to confirm?

[thebullettrain]

Spoke to the inde, but I didnt know you could confirm with the dealer. Will xheck paperwork in the morning and then ring dealer to confirm-seems best policy.

[hornetrider]

I'd be doing these kind of basic checks before driving 300 miles fella

[cat220]

Also depending on age, if its older than 3 years then worth checking the MOT history, this will also allow you to verify mileage and see what its failed on (if anything) and any advisories issued.