Buying a car from gumtree - Catch?

BaileyB

Hi everyone

I've seen a car on gumtree which is one of the models i was considering. Now the price is very good around what you would get at part ex according to a valuation site.

I have googled the number and brings up a garage with website etc and all looks fine.

The pictures where taken outside an mot station which again googled and its the same garage. So off to google streetview and they both next to each other, so i asume the same person owns both.

They say free 7 day insurance, and 2 months engine warranty.

I have phoned them but he is out atm and should be back soon, asked a few questions but specifics he did not have to hand. (when last service, mot number etc) He did say has 3 owners and its selling as a trade so he no classed as owner.

It's about a 3 hour drive from me, so cannot just pop down and see

Now my good side this looks a good deal, the other side is why is he selling is £800 cheaper than he should?it.

It's an 08 plate and done 100k miles so its a little heavy on the miles, but is a diesel.

Am thinking of arranging AA but as its a garage i thought might be protected anyway?

RegWorts

It`s the high mileage

An 08 plate and done 100k miles ..= 25k per year = £200 cheaper year = £800

There`s no real problem with a 100k miles diesel engine , it`s the other bits that may be worn as well. (alternator,water pump, clutch etc )

And don`t forget to ask if the cam-belt has been changed as that can cost several ££ hundred

mkirkby

I'd do the AA or RAC inspection first if I was in your position. You might be covered if it's a garage but 300 miles is a hell of a long way to get something sorted.

There's probably nothing to worry about and that mileage will probably motorway miles, but then it could also be taxi miles with lots of stopping and starting.

Foxy-Stoat_3

I would budget for some work in the near future and forget about trying to claim on any warranty implied as if anything small goes wrong with it I very much doubt you will want to do a 600 mile round trip to get something looked at and sorted on it.

If something major goes wrong and you cant drive it then transportation for a car 600 miles will be very expensive and the dealer will not provide you a spare car while its being looked at.

That said, as long as the paperwork checks out and it has a fully stamped up service history it will probably be fine.

colino

Just see how many times you want to contemplate that 3 hour journey when something goes wrong, all for the potential "saving" of £800.
There are a tiny percentage of the UK car parc that are worth travelling even 50 miles just to get a better or a cheaper one.

mattyprice4004

£800 off normal price for a RR Sport wouldn't be too much, but an 08 plate Micra would be a lot.

People who make these threads without specifying the car should be banned

BaileyB

Sorry thought i did its a Mondeo Ghia TDCI