Anyone bought a car from ebay??

nancyo

Hey Guys,

Anyone ever bought/bidded and won a car on Ebay?

I'm considering it but scared it doesnt work lol...suppose thats the risk you take buying a car anywhere though.

[Deleted User]

Yes, couple of years ago. It turned out to be a complete shed. Managed to sell it on though. Only buy if you take someone along who knows about cars when you go to view it.

Hammyman

Yes I have. The one thing that is on your side is the ebay rule that it has to be as described. So what you do is ask lots of questions about it that aren't covered by the auction listing then if you turn up and its not as described, you can walk away from the deal. However if something bad is described and you turn up and then change your mind, you can't welch out - well you can but the seller is entitled to sue you if they wish. There has been one story of someone welching out on a £5000 jetski only to find themselves losing in County Court when the seller sued them for the money.

Other than that, its Caveat Emptor.

richardvc

Yes I have but I did view it beforehand which is absolutely vital.

Ebay is fine if you do your research beforehand, HPI the car, ask the right questions and then view/drive it.

As you say, it's a risk but that's car buying.

Lirin

Yes I have also, but I knew the car and asked specific questions- seller was a member on another forum I'm on, which was handy.

Flying-High_2

Yeh loads of times ALL bought blind aswell although with a couple I had quite lengthy conversations with the sellers.... Common sense is the key to not coming unstuck.

Inactive

If it is a Classified Advert from a dealer, it is no different to buying directly from the dealer, that is what you are doing.

On a BIN sale, or auction, as others have suggested, do your homework, view the vehicle etc. before buying.

boyse7en

Only ever bought blind (not seen before bought) as I live in a remote area, and can't afford to travel hundreds of miles just to look at a car.

Yes it can be dodgy. When you collect car, make sure you check all documents thoroughly. Compare VIN with stamps on bodywork (try an owners club/forum/dealer to find out where they are located). Ask seller how long they have had vehicle. If it is a private seller, and they have only had it a few weeks I'd be wary that they are either a dodgy dealer, or they're trying to shift a lemon.
Take someone along who knows about cars, and can check for evidence of previous damage or repair. If car is not as described, then walk away.

nancyo

Thanks to all, advice greatly appreciated!

mcjordi

yes bought my current fiesta off ebay..

was described as spares or repair.. with tax and mot for £155 said there was an issue with brakes (needed pads after i took the brakes to bits) and a plate welding on (cost me a lift to a neighbour lol) so worse case it was totally shot and i could of used the tax/mot and wieghed it in but its since passed another mot without much needed ( lambda sensor and backbox)
next mot due may 11 needs a bit more doing to it lol..

maxheadroom

Yes four now all auction, with no probs, first viewed others bought blind as too far to go and view max spent is 2k though.

Know the vehicle/model you are buying, check out prices boith on parkers/glasses but also likes of autotrader and also search completed listings to give you an idea of price they go for on ebay. Don't get into a bidding war - some people can get carried away.

If its too good to be true then it probably is, although at the lower end you can get some real deals if you ar not bothered by minor problems, (or are handy with spanners) that would adversley affect a trade in value - ther are some dealers on there that auction aff their pxs on trade trems as presumably get a better price than a normal auction - which for the average preson is much harder to get too.

As above ask lots of questions, request additional photos, HPI it and at the end of the day if its not as described walk away as per ebay tandcs, but if it is any you regret it you will have to stump up.

Not much different to a nortmal private sale. Dont forget the normal swing in prices eg 4x4 will now be at top and convertiables at bottom. Bought OH a 4x4 to get round farm tracks in june a couple of yrs ago now same age, same milage vehicles selling for more than i paid.