Buying 2nd hand - going to view, test drive, insurance etc

Emma867

Hi

I'm going to have a look at a car (private) this saturday and just have a few questions:

• If I do like it and want to buy, how would I pay? I don't fancy carrying thousands in cash and I doubt the seller would like it much.
• Would I be covered by my insurance to test drive? I'm fully comp so would it depend if the car was private or trade?
• Is there a chance the seller won't let me test drive?

Any help appreciated.

jimbo_the_jetset

Emma867 wrote: »

Hi


I'm going to have a look at a car (private) this saturday and just have a few questions:

• If I do like it and want to buy, how would I pay? I don't fancy carrying thousands in cash and I doubt the seller would like it much.
• Would I be covered by my insurance to test drive? I'm fully comp so would it depend if the car was private or trade?
• Is there a chance the seller won't let me test drive?

Any help appreciated.

• Pay how you like or how seller excepts. Personally I would always pay cash. Up to you if you want to only take a nominal deposit on the 1st visit and then pay full when you collect. I doubt any seller would accept say a cheque without it clearing first. Some may think it is a good tactic to take the full amount and 'make a serious offer' there and then and whip out the cash
• Insurance - check your certificate - it will say what you are covered for. Trade cars are usually covered by the traders insurance I think (not too sure on that one)
• Doubt it - take your licence, photo ID and insurance certificate just in case

Quick note if you are thinking of buying there and then and driving it home. Once you have signed and dated the V5 for change of ownership you will own the car. Therefore the clause of being insured to drive a 3rd party car may not be valid and you may not be insured. Hence, deposit - get insurance - pick up car and pay the rest is the normal way of doing things.

Other tips include make sure the address where you are viewing the car is the same as is on the V5. i.e. you are not going to leave a deposit with someone you don't know and don't know for sure if they actually live there. Also be wary of good cars with very low prices - some criminals use them to lure people with cash into the area only to rob them. (I am pointing out the worst possible case here so really don't worry too much)

Emma867

Many thanks for your post.
My biggest problem is that I'm currently carless and if the car is what I'm looking for, I would like to drive it away.

The car is 60 miles away and (sods law) I'm away next weekend so would be unable to pick it up after leaving a deposit.

My O/H will be coming with me to view (and transport me!) so I should be pretty safe - thanks for the warning though.

I'm actually really nervous about the whole thing.

Dick_Van_Dyke

Emma867 wrote: »

Many thanks for your post.
My biggest problem is that I'm currently carless and if the car is what I'm looking for, I would like to drive it away.

The car is 60 miles away and (sods law) I'm away next weekend so would be unable to pick it up after leaving a deposit.

My O/H will be coming with me to view (and transport me!) so I should be pretty safe - thanks for the warning though.

I'm actually really nervous about the whole thing.

In that case if you both have driving other cars cover then she drives your new car home and you drive hers home

Either that or sort out the insurance there and then but might be harder to shop around if you do that.

gmang

I suggest you shop around for insurance now and have a policy lined up with someone. Then if everything is ok you can just phone them on the day and pay for the insurance. Once you've paid you're insured to drive it home.

Personally I don't think I'd ever buy a used car privately again. I've had too many bad experiences. At least with a trader you have some comeback if it dies on the way home.

Emma867

I've still got insurance running with my corsa (recently deceased), thought I could call up and swap the cars over? Is it not that easy?

Emma867

!!!!!!_Van_Dyke wrote: »

In that case if you both have driving other cars cover then she drives your new car home and you drive hers home
QUOTE]

You have lost me there! :rotfl:

vaio

!!!!!!_Van_Dyke wrote: »

In that case if you both have driving other cars cover then she drives your new car home and you drive hers home.......

Nice thinking but note some DOC extensions exclude cars owned by spouses so as always read what your policy says

bosseyed

Emma867 wrote: »

I've still got insurance running with my corsa (recently deceased), thought I could call up and swap the cars over? Is it not that easy?

I've done that in the past - I'd ring your insurance and ask, give them the make and model of the car you're after and get a price for insurance - basically just prep them that you might be wanting to insure a new one on the weekend, then come the day if you do like it then you can just ring them up and then you're covered to drive away. I've done that a couple of times with no problems.

As for payment, if you want to drive away that day, then it'll have to be cash. The seller would be daft (or incredibly trusting) to take a cheque and let you drive before its cleared. I've often paid by Bank transfer in the past, usually takes a couple of days though so not an option for same day drive away.

And don't worry - buying a second hand car privately doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Just remember you're the one with the cash so to an extent you're in control of proceedings. Don't part with anything if you're not happy, and be prepared to walk away. Take your time looking the car over and if theres anything that sets alarm bells ringing just leave. No skin off your nose really. And yes there are some lemons out there (I bought one once) but all you can go on is the performance on the day. Its a slight risk, but 99% of second hand cars I've bought have been great.

Enjoy it

EDIT: Oh and don't make silly offers. Nothing annoys sellers more than people who think they're haggling and are really just being rude. I've lost track of the times I've been selling a car for around the £2k mark and a buyer comes along, test drives yadda yadda then offers £500. Timewasters are not appreciated!

flyingscotno1

Emma867 wrote: »

I've still got insurance running with my corsa (recently deceased), thought I could call up and swap the cars over? Is it not that easy?

Generally yes, they might charge admin and adjustment premiums however.

Emma867

bosseyed wrote: »

I've done that in the past - I'd ring your insurance and ask, give them the make and model of the car you're after and get a price for insurance - basically just prep them that you might be wanting to insure a new one on the weekend, then come the day if you do like it then you can just ring them up and then you're covered to drive away. I've done that a couple of times with no problems.

As for payment, if you want to drive away that day, then it'll have to be cash. The seller would be daft (or incredibly trusting) to take a cheque and let you drive before its cleared. I've often paid by Bank transfer in the past, usually takes a couple of days though so not an option for same day drive away.

And don't worry - buying a second hand car privately doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Just remember you're the one with the cash so to an extent you're in control of proceedings. Don't part with anything if you're not happy, and be prepared to walk away. Take your time looking the car over and if theres anything that sets alarm bells ringing just leave. No skin off your nose really. And yes there are some lemons out there (I bought one once) but all you can go on is the performance on the day. Its a slight risk, but 99% of second hand cars I've bought have been great.

Enjoy it

EDIT: Oh and don't make silly offers. Nothing annoys sellers more than people who think they're haggling and are really just being rude. I've lost track of the times I've been selling a car for around the £2k mark and a buyer comes along, test drives yadda yadda then offers £500. Timewasters are not appreciated!

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

I'm trying to remain calm but there is nothing worse than being out of your depth but not in a position where I can take my time.

This week has been a nightmare getting to work with no car, I don't think I can do another week! :rotfl: