Buying a car privately: what to remember
14 June 2002, 02:35 PM
#1
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Guys,
What should I get from the guy once I've given him a deposit & cheque in order that I don't get stuffed??
Anything else I should remember except the usual HPI stuff?
What should I get from the guy once I've given him a deposit & cheque in order that I don't get stuffed??
Anything else I should remember except the usual HPI stuff?
14 June 2002, 02:45 PM
#2
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This is from Auto Trader:
Private
This should be cheaper than buying from a dealer. However it is also riskier. The car may have been stolen or may have been used as security for a loan or hire agreement and actually belong to the finance company.
You have fewer legal rights if you buy privately. The car must be as described but the other rules don't apply. If a private seller lies about the condition of a car, you can sue for your losses - if you can find the seller.
Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations and to get rid of faulty or over priced cars. They may advertise in local newspapers and shop windows.
Signs to look out for include:
ads which give a mobile phone number or specify a time to call. It may be a public phone box, not the sellers home
the same phone number appears in several ads;
when you phone about the car the seller asks 'which one?
the seller wants to bring the car to you or meet you somewhere, rather than you going to the sellers home.
Make sure they own the car - V5 address matches where you view it. Sellers identity e.g. driving licence etc
Private
This should be cheaper than buying from a dealer. However it is also riskier. The car may have been stolen or may have been used as security for a loan or hire agreement and actually belong to the finance company.
You have fewer legal rights if you buy privately. The car must be as described but the other rules don't apply. If a private seller lies about the condition of a car, you can sue for your losses - if you can find the seller.
Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations and to get rid of faulty or over priced cars. They may advertise in local newspapers and shop windows.
Signs to look out for include:
ads which give a mobile phone number or specify a time to call. It may be a public phone box, not the sellers home
the same phone number appears in several ads;
when you phone about the car the seller asks 'which one?
the seller wants to bring the car to you or meet you somewhere, rather than you going to the sellers home.
Make sure they own the car - V5 address matches where you view it. Sellers identity e.g. driving licence etc
14 June 2002, 03:49 PM
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two sides to this...
He'll want to put 'sold as seen' you'll want '3 years unlimited mileage guarantee'
I think you can expect... Sold as seen, car description, reg plate for sum of £9999 on DATE...
I'd try to get the lines 'detail as per advertisement Autotrader 12/6/02' as this is confirmation that he accepts the details to be correct to the best of his knowledge..
I would make sure you keep a copy of the advert which made you buy the car.. If for instance it says genuine mileage and you find it isn't you do have come back...
He'll want to put 'sold as seen' you'll want '3 years unlimited mileage guarantee'
I think you can expect... Sold as seen, car description, reg plate for sum of £9999 on DATE...
I'd try to get the lines 'detail as per advertisement Autotrader 12/6/02' as this is confirmation that he accepts the details to be correct to the best of his knowledge..
I would make sure you keep a copy of the advert which made you buy the car.. If for instance it says genuine mileage and you find it isn't you do have come back...
14 June 2002, 04:21 PM
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just before you hand over the wedge, get a tape measure and check the distances between the front and back wheels on each side are the same.
i _very_ nearly got caught out with my 1st car (1.4 escort with all the goodies) and one side of the car was 2 1/2 inches shorter than the other. it turned out it had a large rear ender and the chassis was twisted.
dave
i _very_ nearly got caught out with my 1st car (1.4 escort with all the goodies) and one side of the car was 2 1/2 inches shorter than the other. it turned out it had a large rear ender and the chassis was twisted.
dave
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