Looking to buy a secondhand car

sassy_one

Ebay and Gumtree are two good places to start looking

However do be careful with regards scams etc and I would recommend you always take another person with you when going to view a car and also doing a HPI check on any car over £500!

Also, always meet in day light, buying a car at night (dark lit hours) can seem good if you are busy during the day however all the dents, marks etc can all disappear in the night and in the morning you could have a orange truck rather than a Sliver car

fuzzybear01

I wish people would put there phone number on Gumtree ads, either that or look at their emails once in a while. Have seen my ideal car at a perfect price and they are not replying to the message I sent asking to look at the car!

mchale

Don't want to p*ss on your parade, but google "micra timing chain"

fuzzybear01

I already know about this from a mechanic family-friend, I'm hoping to buy one that has a full service history and if it hasn't been changed at 60k then I won't be touching it.

One of the cars I've seen is a 2004 micra with only 36k mileage so obviously that might crop up further down the line. Most Makes/Models seem to have some kind of fault that is common in them so it won't put me off a micra!

But thanks for the advice anyway!

sassy_one

OP, you should try looking on Gumtree and eBay as these are the best places to go.


You could also try getting the local Trade-It/Auto Trader

fuzzybear01

Looks like I've come across my first scammer, here's a reply I got today:

Hi there ..

I am writing you regarding the Nissan Micra the car it's still for sale.The car it's in perfect condition inside and outside as well and it has air conditioning,never been implicated in accidents.I never smoke in it and i want to sell it to a serious person. The car is located in London,UK.I have the full service history and the MOT will expire in Nov 2010.The price that i'm asking for the car is GBP 1800. I am a manager and i am working at 2 project in Berlin/Germany and i need a car here,I already found one but i need to sell the one from London.
This is the detailes of the car:
Manufacturer: Nissan
Colour: Grey
Model: Micra
Engine Size: 1,240 cc
Power: 79 BHP
First Registered 20 Jun 2005
Road Tax: it's payed for 6 months
MOT Expiry: Nov 2010
V5: Present
Previous Owners: 1
Transmission: Manual
Fuel: Petrol
Service History: Yes
The car have only-36000 miles

36000 miles, Metallic Mercury Grey. Service History, One Previous Owner, Exceptional Condition, Electric windows, CD Stereo System with RDS radio, Remote Central Locking, ABS, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Side airbags, Rear headrests, Steel wheels, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Body coloured bumpers, Drivers airbag, Front electric windows, Height adjustable drivers seat, PAS, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Isofix child seat anchor points, Cloth seat trim, Fully Guaranteed.

p.s. Car it's in very good conditions inside and outside never been implicated in accidents. I want to sell the car because i want to buy a new car here in Germany with left hand drive. V5 present, full service history..

Thank you

This is in response to my request for a contact number

fuzzybear01

Second Response:

Hi,
Few days ago a person told me that he it's very interested to buy the car and i need to fly to London to make the transaction as soon as i can.I came to London next day because I trusted his word, but when I arrived I called him and he never answered me again.It's not about the money for the plane tickets but i lost 2 working days for nothing.The time it's very precios for me.I am a genuine person and he desapointed me.I just want to know if you realy intend to buy the car because for this time I will fly to London only if i have an insurance.I just want to see that you are a serious person and will be no problem if you don't want to buy the car.I need to be sure that you will be there.
If you are interesed to buy my car follow my steps:If you will make the Depozit on Money Gram,for 100% i will keep the car for you untill you will be in London.So your wife or your friend will go at Money Gram with cash Pounds and he/she will send the money from his/her name to your name in London/Uk,after that you will have to scan the
receipt from M.G. and send it to my email so i can check it.After i will recive the paper from M.G.i will buy plane tickets to London and i will send you a copy in to your email to show you that i will also come in London to meet you and show you the car.You will test the car first and after that if the car is ok for you i will put the car on your
name. Then we will go to the Money Gram office, you'll get your money back and pay me.Also please give me your phone number to call you after i will receive the scaned paper.
P.S : I will pay the fees from Money Gram,you will deduct it from the price car.I prefer to lose that fee but not to lose time and money flying to London for nothing.

This is my phone number: 00447031833024
Thank you
Frank

emmell

Ignore it, it's a scam. If it isn't, why would you pay 100% of the price on a car you haven't even seen. There's plenty about without all this hassle.
ML.

fuzzybear01

I know it's a scam but quite like stringing them along, have had some interesting replies!