Deposits

12bdebt3

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on a car purchase. Me and my girlfriend are trying to arrange a viewing of a car we like and can afford. An '03 VW Polo, just been serviced, taxed and M.O.T'd. In the description there is no problems or previous accidents. We are hoping to view it soon and then do an online check to see if there is any hidden history. We are reluctant to do the check, as it costs, until we have viewed the car and know we want it. We will probably need to put a deposit down though whilst we are doing the check so the ownder doesn't sell elsewhere. I am a little worried that something may happen with the deposit, i.e. they may pretend they have never met us before and refuse to give it us back. Obviously we would only want the deposit back if there has been previous problems they were hiding. Is there anything I can do to ensure that the deposit will be safe if anything happens?

Thanks.

hartcjhart

a deposit is part of a contract to purchase NOT to hold the car to see if you will want it,Unless you and the seller specifically agree to that.

If the seller is on the internet and has nothing to hide ,once you have looked at the car and agreed the price(subject) to satisfactory HPI, ask him to do it online and give him the cost

emmell

If it's a private sale just ask for a receipt for the deposit and both sign it.
ML.

jase1

I've never been able to get deposits back from indie dealers.

NeverAgain_2

I don't know how much an 03 Polo is, but I wonder if it's worth doing checks.

You can tell a great deal about the car by assessing the seller and their premises.

I would be inclined to trust to judgment on this one.

One reason is the artfulness of the scammers, if they are any good the car will pass the checks anyway.

Flyboy152

arrontdep wrote: »

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on a car purchase. Me and my girlfriend are trying to arrange a viewing of a car we like and can afford. An '03 VW Polo, just been serviced, taxed and M.O.T'd. In the description there is no problems or previous accidents. We are hoping to view it soon and then do an online check to see if there is any hidden history. We are reluctant to do the check, as it costs, until we have viewed the car and know we want it. We will probably need to put a deposit down though whilst we are doing the check so the ownder doesn't sell elsewhere. I am a little worried that something may happen with the deposit, i.e. they may pretend they have never met us before and refuse to give it us back. Obviously we would only want the deposit back if there has been previous problems they were hiding. Is there anything I can do to ensure that the deposit will be safe if anything happens?

Thanks.

Pay by cheque. Do the check and if it comes back with flags, ask the seller to return the deposit, if they refuse cancel the cheque. I would also recommend you get an independent inspection done as well.

Flyboy152

jase1 wrote: »

I've never been able to get deposits back from indie dealers.

Why? That's schocking. How many times have you promised to buy a car from them and cancelled?

Flyboy152

NeverAgain wrote: »

I don't know how much an 03 Polo is, but I wonder if it's worth doing checks.

You can tell a great deal about the car by assessing the seller and their premises.

I would be inclined to trust to judgment on this one.

One reason is the artfulness of the scammers, if they are any good the car will pass the checks anyway.

If it passes the checks and subsequently turns out to be financed, written off etc., the HPI company (if the correct level of cover is selected) would be liable.

jase1

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Why? That's schocking. How many times have you promised to buy a car from them and cancelled?

Twice.

Once was my fault -- put down deposit and was unable to pay for the car due to redundancy. Didn't expect my deposit back, and didn't get it.

The other occasion was recently when a car turned out to be quite badly clocked (past MOTs showed wild discrepancies in mileage over several years). No way was I spending nearly £5000 on something like that. Presented my findings to the dealer, was told to sling my hook.

12bdebt3

Thanks everyone, I think I will go with the cheque idea so I can cancel it when the HPI checks are done if it fails.

NeverAgain: The Polo is up for £2200, so was thinking of around £500 for a deposit.

Flyboy152

jase1 wrote: »

Twice.

Once was my fault -- put down deposit and was unable to pay for the car due to redundancy. Didn't expect my deposit back, and didn't get it.

The other occasion was recently when a car turned out to be quite badly clocked (past MOTs showed wild discrepancies in mileage over several years). No way was I spending nearly £5000 on something like that. Presented my findings to the dealer, was told to sling my hook.

More fool you, for not pursuing it then. Why do you not think you would have got your deposit back, when you had cancelled the car?