Buying a French car in France for use in France

[squareflops]

Duplication in the title aside the situation is as follows. My mum and her Swedish partner have recently purchased a place in France to retire, very rural in an area about an hour south of Le Mans, roughly equidistant between Angers and Tours. They're looking to stay there for the foreseeable future and French transport is required. The car will be used for bumbling back and forth to the shops in etc so only a run-around is needed (Peugeot 206/207 type thing or similar) roughly 2.5-3k worth.

Based on their experience trying to buy a car so far it seems that it's quite different to the UK style at least. From what I've been told there aren't really any 2nd hand car dealerships with anything approaching what they're after (everything's 10k+ at dealerships). When they approach a private seller the response 3 times has been "yes we'll transport the car to you with the paperwork, please have cash ready to give to the driver". This would be seen as a scam in the UK; I certainly wouldn't buy a car this way. Is this standard fare in France? Basically I'm asking for advice for the best way to buy a 2.5k car in France for a couple who aren't yet particularly oh fey with the nuance of the French 2nd hand car market.

Thanks in advance

[squareflops]

Hmm interesting. Cheers for the reply bud. It does seem odd that there's a (presumably) huge portion of the market that isn't catered for out there. Was wondering if the delivery thing would be to do with the distances involved as France is a big old place but as you say doesn't really seem normal.

[squareflops]

Thank you guys, especially to the offers of assistance, that's massively appreciated. I'm going to pass this thread on to her so she can have a read and might actually take up the offer leyorkie/rdjohn as local knowledge is hard to beat

rdjohn (& leyorkie) I've heard her mention Saumur many times so think you may be quite local, she's near La Fleche. I'll be out there in 3 weeks to have my first look at the place.

A glimpse into the many challenges of French life for a Brit

Thanks again guys.

[squareflops]

Hi mum

Some great info so far. Hopefully will be a good pointer in the right direction.

I'm going before baby photos start getting shared

[squareflops]

Looks like mum has had enough PH already! Normally takes at least a month.

I'll update with any relevant info re the registration process just as closure.

Thanks again all.