Where/how did you buy your car?

Angelic

Won't be happening now..

Lirin

All mine I've bought for under 2k. One was on Ebay, one private from a friend, one was parked at the side of a road with a mobile number scrawled on it, one through a dealer- etc.... Just depends what you're looking for. If you're not mechanically savvy, bring a mechanic friend if you have one with you.

blacksta

https://www.autotrader.co.uk

gumtree

have all helped in past

Lum

Bought mine from Japan, via bank transfer

Sorry that isn't very helpful is it?

For my sensible cars generally from autotrader or pistonheads.
Do you not know anyone who could go with you to check it over?

Lum

Maybe read up on the basic checks and any specific checks for the car you are looking at, this will allow you to eliminate the worst cars. Narrow it down to a few that seem reasonable and then arrange them in order of preference and pay for a used car inspection from the likes of the AA?

JonathanA

If you were willing to share your approximate budget, and preferences for a car, it may be that one of the forum members may be able to give some pointers!

GlynD

I wouldn't advise buying a car at a low budget unless you can get a man who knows about cars to go with you. You're courting disaster.

Chunks

Agree with what has been stated before. If you are on a tight budget then it can be a bit of a lottery TBH. If you have an experienced friend then you stand a much better chance!

Going private can be great (low price) but it comes with high risk (no/limited comeback if something goes wrong). If it’s a runner with tax and a long MOT (and you don't mind the colour/the fact that the back window sometime sticks/and it’s a Panda (no offence to Panda owners, I actually like them) you can spend very little and sometimes get a lot.... Get yourself a used car price guide (e.g. Parkers £5 or Which £4.50) so you know what level you should be looking to ‘deal’ at. Do some research - then do some more. Autotrader is great (IMHO) not necessarily for buying but it has guides (for education purposes) and gives you a ‘feel’ for the market. You can get second hand car buyer checklists off the interweb, too which are also handy. If you don’t know what a dipstick is or how to check for tyre wear then that step is redundant (so get your parents/mates involved, assuming they do). Keep in mind your wellbeing (sorry, this is a parent thing but often overlooked). It is easy to get seduced by the paintwork but look at things like NCAP safety ratings too. How much will it cost to run and insure (don’t forget to add experienced drivers to the policy)? Others will have valuable advice on this topic I am sure but some level of basic research should stand you in good stead.

cheers

Chunks

Lirin

I'm female. It's at the point where I'd rather buy on my own, as I'd long ago had it with getting ignored while they talked to my (very highly clueless about cars!) male friend.
I would say though- if you aren't savvy, you do really need to find someone to go with you. Dealers, private sellers, random ads- they all want to sell their cars, and even the nicely honest ones will gloss over a bad point.

Aside from the condition of the car- looking for rust spots, anything that looks like a repair, replaced bits etc, service history optionally- I prefer to go on the condition rather than the history- I've never needed one. Insurance, running costs, repair costs- e.g, a Landy will be more for parts than a Corsa.
Find a car you like- the one you've said you're looking at is reasonably rare- and google known faults with it. If it really is rare, join an owners club and ask for help.

GlynD

I agree with Lirin. I'm male but if I was buying used I'd prefer to take a mechanic with me.

newfoundglory

I think you just have to accept that buying a car has a certain amount of risk involved! Especially when you buy privately. Even if you had a mechanic to check it over one day, it could still go horribly wrong the next. And there are things you can't check without a ramp. People who don't like this risk will buy from a dealer and pay more - as the dealer is legally required to put any problems right.