Buying a car through eBay

greenpixey

My BIL is considering buying a car for us from eBay and is biding on this one.
What do you say, does it look ok? After reading stuff on this site I'm feeling a bit reluctant....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-CORSA-1-6-GSI-16V_W0QQitemZ250042168906QQihZ015QQcategoryZ9858QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Item: 250042168906

spacenase

I wouldn't be keen....

A good e-bay advert for a car should list any problems, preferably with pictures. I'd also be wondering why it needs a new engine at 100,000. Even small cars should be able to do better than this. Also, the MOT runs out next month, maybe they're getting rid of it because they're expecting it to fail?

Ultimately buying a car from e-bay is exactly the same as buying in a private sale and you should follow the same process including viewing it before you buy.

KEITH

blue_haddock

I personally would be very very wary, it is a 12 year old car and has probably lead a very hard life beening hammered on every journey.

I would also be sceptical of the 'engine rebuild' The parts he lists as being replaced are not what i would constitute as an engine rebuild - i would be looking for a new/reground crank, valves, valve seats as part of a rebuild. Who actually performed the work and have they got any warranty on the work.

A very brief description and two low quality photo's taken at night is not the best way to sell the car. Also remember the MOT runs out very very shortly so perhaps he has put it through, realised it needs a large amount of work and decided to cut his loses and sell it on ebay.

xxxdarlingxxx

Not sure if it is my laptop or the photo but is the paint damaged on the bonnet ?

blue_haddock

i think it's just dust or something on the paint but if they couldn't be bothered to clean it for the photo's you need to ask yourself about how it's been maintained.

spacenase

xxxdarlingxxx wrote:

Not sure if it is my laptop or the photo but is the paint damaged on the bonnet ?

You're right, I didn't spot that! :rolleyes: It looks as if most of the lacquer has peeled off. I certainly wouldn't call that "good condition for the year".

KEITH

blue_haddock

also the front bumper splitter appears to be half hanging off.