Buying car tomorrow - advice needed!

LynnF

Hello

I'm buying a car tomorrow from a trade dealer and need a bit of advice before I seal the deal. I went to see the car a few days ago and printed off the Quik guide which I used to help ensure everything was in order. As far as I can see it looks as though it is a good purchase but as I'm not an expert I still feel queasy at parting with the cash (4k in total).

The one thing that's on my mind is that I asked him at the time whether he knew of any accidents or major repair and quite confidently replied that he was not aware of any accidents or major repair. However what I didn't ask was what he had done to ensure that the car was sound when he purchased it. What would you resonably expect a reputable trade dealer to have done to ensure that the car was sound? Any advice please?

DCFC79

Why not do a HPI check on it, not sure if you can find out about accidents. Have you made sure its ok under the bonnet etc.

Sgt_Pepper_2

What sort of car is it?

LynnF

I did have a good look under the bonnet and as far as I could see it looked absolutely fine. I've not done an HPI check though so will look into that tonight - thanks for the advice.

LynnF

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

What sort of car is it?

It's a VW Golf 1.9L Diesel/2003. The mileage is 48k and looks spotless in every way and all papers seem in order with full service history.

It seems a good deal however I guess I just have a fear that if I did miss something and it did have problems he would just turn round and say that he wasn't aware. He only had the car a few days before I viewed it.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Check the service history and previous mots that mileage is very low for a 9 year old car.

colino

With an honest dealer, take a knowledgeable friend along and ask straight questions. He can't lie, he can't say he wasn't aware of previous accidents or losses, it's his job to make you confident that he's done his homework and the car is as straight as he says. May be at the thick end cost wise and I personally havent seen a genuine low mileage 8 year old diesel. They sold for a premium new, so why use it to totter down to the shop?

s_b

wow big money for such an old car
i would want a proper inspection before i threw that kind of money at it because your wedge could choke a donkey
hpi is obviously part of the inspection package or as well as

i suppose you could find a low mileage diesel at this age but you have to put into the equation lots of short trips causing bore wear or has it been parked up most of its life and rotten as an orchard pear out of season

i wouldnt buy it at that kind of money its like one of those fishing rod sales and looking for a mug punter to reel in

LynnF

Thanks for your comments. I gave a deposit of £150 and agreed to purchase and strating to feel a bit less certain about it all now. I knew the mileage was low for a diesel but it sounds like fellow moneysavers would be wary!?

vax2002

The low mileage is usually a warning that it could have been off the road for a while, a HPI check is a very good idea.

cb1979

Maybe an AA or RAC vehicle check as well as a HPI check,very low mileage for a 9 year old car,take a knowlegable friend to give it the once over with you

Remember the golden rule,if in doubt walk away and do not rush into any purchase