Car Buying Top Tips

Lord_Lardington

When enquiring about a private car for sale and informed that the car has had “3 former keepers”, the seller is very unlikely to know why owners 1, 2 and 3 chose to sell the car.

Whilst used cars are very much down in value, if your budget is £300, it’s probably a waste of time to speculatively call sellers of cars priced at £7000.

Always read the advert – In these hardcopy-free, internet based times a car seller tends to put a huge amount of information into the advertisement. Try to read and view this, it can save a huge amount of time for all concerned. If as car is advertised as “A Blue Maybach with a roof mounted machine gun” asking the colour is a just a nonsense.

Further tips to the thread welcomed.

SpoonyOh

Fabulous! Where do I start?

Ringing up a seller and saying 'Awight mate, I'll gi' ye fiffy quids and pick it up tomorra, yeah? The ad sez it ent got MOT or taacks, so it ent really wurf it, innit?'
This gets my hackles every time.

When viewing a car, don't go in a hurry. Go wearing tatty gear and be prepared to get dirty. Get on your hands and knees, lie under the car, take a torch and don't be shy, prod and poke the rust. As long as you're not prising panels off, the seller will appreciate you're willing to give them a sizeable amount of cash for their vehicle. Be wary of sellers who aren't at a location they could be traced to - for example, ones who offer to meet you somewhere like a multistorey car park. Make sure you get the V5, if the seller is genuine they won't have a problem acquiring a new one if the old one has gone missing, although you should be prepared to pay for it.
Also, take a mate. The beefiest lad you're chummy with, especially if you're a lass. An extra pair of eyes come into their own every time, or at least stop some sellers from being patronising.

albionrovers

Never ever get emotional about a car.
Stay detached at all times.
There's always another shiny Corsa around the corner.