Buying an ex-rental car

mogwai

Is it really cheaper? And how do you approach a car rental company about buying one?

Hintza

I think you will find these will go straight to auction (but I stand to be corrected).

melipona

If you are thinking of making a saving by getting "nearly new" then consider a car supermarket. I have regularly used Fords of Winsford but there are a number of similar ones around. They offer to take your old car as a trade in but you are better off selling privately. You can view their stock on line which is handy.

mogwai

Thanks, is using a car supermarket better than using eBay or autotrader?

I read in a 50 ways to save money article, that buying an ex-rental car was 'super moneysaving'. just wondering how it works - I had a courtesy car this summer when my car was being repaired and I had to take it in to change it as it was sold - it was a 2007 vauxhall corsa sold for about £6000 (i think!)...I should have found out then how they sold their cars and if that was a good price..

hewhoisnotintheknow

bounced off the rev limiter every morning from cold, no thanks

melipona

mogwai wrote: »

Thanks, is using a car supermarket better than using eBay or autotrader?

I like the super markets because they have a range of cars that you can examine, check out extras and compare all the stuff that really matters. What is the head room like, will the kids bike fit in the boot, where can I stash the gps and phone, where are the blind spots, what is the history.
You can make a day of it, check as many cars as you like, make a proper assessment of the pros and cons for each make in your budget, come again another day if they don't have what you want. There is no high pressure sales and usually free coffee.

highguyuk

I'd never buy an ex rental car ever.

I've had rental cars. Would love to say I looked after them, but I didn't.

Quietmanc

Did some work for a film company once,and one day,had to transport an American actor to the set which was across a rough field.I was taking it easy,to make it as smooth as poss.He said 'I guess this is your car',when I said it wasn't,the reply I got was'Don't be gentle,it's a rental'. Hope this helps

markelock

how do you check a car on ebay? physically that is?

gaz_jones

Everyone is saying that rental cars get banged about but thats the same as ex police cars. They may not have had the nicest drivers but they get serviced regularly and properly. Unlike a lot of cars you see on ebay and autotrader.

Yes there are some nasty high milers out there as expected for ex rental but you can almost garuantee when they needed new tyres they got them. If the engine was making a strange noise you know they will have fixed it.

Any

highguyuk wrote: »

I'd never buy an ex rental car ever.

I've had rental cars. Would love to say I looked after them, but I didn't.

I agree.
I also agree with the post above which says they go to auction - they usually do.
I used to be fleet manager (150 cars+) and out of those, even though they were company cars so the drivers had them 2-3 years, I would only trust about 5%.
Going to buy a car to the auction can be very cheap, however you really need to know what you are looking for in a way of faults. I would suggest to take mechanic with you, pay him £50 for the morning and ask him to have a look at the car you like the look of below the metal.

Rental cars are 99% a no-no. However, some fleet cars might be worth it - I knew driver who could destroy car within 18 mths but then I also knew driver who gave the car all the love and attention he would to his own car.