Buying a Used Car From Private Seller - Advice Guide

Titewad

So, I have had a search of the Forums and have found a few of the 'Golden Rules' of buying a used car privately, however not all i one place.

After reading some of the horrendous horror stories from a number of forumites being sold lemons and stolen cars, I am keen to try to avoid the same scenario and hopefully benefit others.

My Story,
After years of scrimping, saving, stoozing and generally wringing out any possible deals, I have now decided to blow the funds on a nice inappropriate second hand BMW for the summer (mid life crisis is looming).
This goes against most natural instincts, however, I want to find a good deal without drilling it too far and regretting this moment of weakness.

I have been to a BMW dealer and for an £18k car on their forecourt, I can get a similar car with less milage for £13k from a private seller on autotrader.
Whilst this sounds like a great deal, the sensible side is ringing alarm bells.

A good general guide can be found on the citizens advice website (I can't post link as a newbie):

other top tips
When was last service/MOT/Tax
Condition of tyres (can be costly to replace)
Use receipts to document sale (see 'whatcar' website for useful template)

As I am looking to spend a considerable sum, I would like to have additional protection, such as:
1. RAC / BMW Car Check (£200-£500 but would save a fortune if a dud)
2. Offer to pay a deposit using PayPal??
- If I agree to pay the seller a deposit using my Credit Card via PayPal, as long as it is >£100, I believe that I would have consumer protection from my credit card company for the full sum?

So the questions:
1. Go Trade and pay the premium for piece of mind or Go Private and take the savings but limit the risk.
2. Would the PayPal method work?
3. Any other top tips??

Thanks in advance

Tilt

As you probably know the SOGA does not apply to private sales unless the seller has falsely advertised the car or is a trader posing as a private seller.

Buying from a dealer can give you protection under the SOGA for up to 6 years and for the first 6 months from purchase, the seller has the burden of proving that any defect was not present at the point of sale. Any warranty (either free or purchased) cannot replace or reduce your statutory rights. They are merely an extension of your rights.

The problem is seeking out a good reputable dealer. We rarely hear of good experiences but ones that do come up regularly on here and on CAG are Arnold Clark and Car Craft to name a few.

s_b

You have been a fully paid up member of this site since 2008 Titewad yet you seem to have learnt nothing
me as a paid up member since 25 may 2011 and leaving on this date one full year later when ive done my care in the community trying to learn people seems to have done no good whatsover:(
i really despair about you english trying to save a bob

EdGasket

You pays yer money and takes yer chance buying privately. With 13K+ at stake I would probably play safe and use a dealer as there are so many scams operating including simply getting mugged!
Also if you have really scrimped etc. why blow it all on an expensive motor which if it develops a fault, you won't be able to afford to fix? Buy one for £5K to 6K instead; they only depreciate. I have bought a Merc and a BMW for £1K or less and they have been fine; cheap as chips now with petrol and insurance being so expensive.

vax2002

DEPOSIT = NEVER, go with cash, if its gone its gone, if you want the car, again do not leave ANY deposit.
If its a private seller with a phone number always ask about "the car" let the seller work out which one and if they have to you know it will be an auction banger seller looking for a fast buck.
Take someone with you and give them a note book and pen and ask them to make a list of all faults.
Remember, tell the seller you do not want to hear the "cars story" just the facts about the car, like does the time they have claimed to have owned it match what the keepers certificate say.
Look them straight in the face and ask them in front of your buddy, are you aware of any issues or repairs that require doing or major faults that you are concealing.
Take a picture of the seller on your camera phone with the car.

verityboo

Also google any phone numbers in the ad, you often find a long list comes up of other cars. This means they are a trader pretending to be a private seller so look elsewhere

AlexisV

Buy at his house, ask for proof it's his house.

Go with another person. You could record everything with a dictaphone, or smartphone in your pocket.

I had a mate who bought from a dealer. The exhaust particulate filter went the next week but the dealer had just gone bust. So don't think buying from a dealer is always a safer bet!

Titewad

Thanks Tilt and Ed Gasket.

After having a quick readup on SOGA, as you say, this isn't really applicable to private sales. Therefore there doesn't appear to be any consumer protection when buying privately (hence the thought regarding PayPal).

I have also read negative reviews about the car SuperMarkets (CarGiant/CarCraft etc), however at least there is some recourse with SOGA.

Ed - You sound very much like my conscience and your advice is very sound.

Has anyone had a good experience buying privately? I recently sold the previous car on Gumtree. It was a fantastic car but too small for our needs. I managed to get more that the trade in value and the buyer bought the car for less than forecourt value. When it works, it is great. The problem is when it doesn't

Titewad

Thanks all for the follow up.
BTW: I have heard the autotrader offer an 'alias' mobile number, therefore, get them to call you back and google that one

Nearly_Old

My son has recently bought privately without any problems. He lives in Scotland, I'm in Yorkshire and the car was in Lincolnshire so virutally all the preparation was done remotely. The car was advertised on an enthuisiat's forum as well as other places. My son contacted the seller by phone and email and arranged for me to speak to the seller to ask some questions re: service history, history file (receipts, etc). I also checked the the seller's name against his address on the electoral register.

After showing that he was really interested in the car but it would be a long journey to see it my son asked the seller for the VIN and reference from the V5C to allow him to complete a full HPI check plus the on-line MoT check. Some sellers do not want to supply this information but in my son's case he had developed a relationship with the seller so the details were provided. My son came down by train and we went to see the car together with a checklist that we had compiled from various internet forums. We took our time checking the car over and the historic receipts matched details from the HPI and MoT reports so in the end he bought it. Of course the potential downside is that if it had broken down on his 300 mile trip back home it would have been his problem - it didn't and he enjoyed the run back in his new toy.

Titewad

Great to hear that there are honest transactions performed out there. Which checklist did your son use? The one on whatcar was a good guide that I used when selling the last car