clocked mileage - should i buy?

smileykylie_2

I have given a deposit to a bloke for a 1999 VW GOLF GTI. I ran a HPI check on it today and it has finance. When i mentioned this to the seller he admitted it readily. I am sure we can come to some kind of arrangement.

What i was more concerned about was that in 2002 the car had a recorded mileage of 82076 miles. In January 2003 it was 45000 miles!!! now has 79000 miles!! I think it may have been a leased/rental car prior. This was 4 years before the seller I am buying from bought the car so he did not do anything dodgy. I imagine I should need to ensure the cost of the car reflects mileage of 110000 rather than 79000.

The seller wants £3000 for it. It is a beautiful car and went well on a test drive (short one though as no tax so only on private road round a marina). Just feeling that i have lost my confidence in the car. Makes me wonder if there are more things hidden. But think had a seen the car with the correct mileage would probably have bought it!! Cannot decide what to do any advice appreciated.

philhuff

Walk away.

Hell, run away!

Outstanding finance... definitely clocked... no tax so, I'd imagine, no MOT...

There's no shortage of Golf GTi's about, so take your time and find one that you are happy with. You may need to travel a bit, or wait a bit longer than you wanted to, but the car will be out there.

The finance is perhaps the most troublesome part. Whatever arrangement you come to, if the finance is not cleared then the finance company could well have a legal right to the car. You could then be in a situation where you've paid a guy £3,000 for a car of dubious history, but without the actual car.

smileykylie_2

this was our initial thought. Naturally when we rang the guy he was all 'this can be sorted'. Gave him £100 cause really really wanted it. Doubt he will give it back, but rather be out of pocket 100 than 3000!!! Just feels a bit wrong!!

poppy_f1

i'd walk away, theres outstanding finance on the car and you cannot guarantee when you hand the cash over that the seller wull pay it off, therefore the car could be "reposessed"
if your not put off, i'd ask how much is outstanding and write a check to the finance co yourself

moonrakerz

Q. clocked mileage - should i buy ?

A. Short answer NO !

A. Long answer NNNNNNNOOOOOOO !

dzug

There are other explanations than fraudulent clocking (faulty or replaced speedo, typo when recording the 2002 mileage, second time around even though there doesn't look to have been enough time for that).

But I'd still be very wary.

mrbadexample

Go get your £100 back! :eek:

highguyuk

Report him. It's not legal to sell a car with outstanding finance on it.

Or ... threaten to report him until he gives you your money back!

northern_munky

Run as fast as you can and don't look back.

You are entitled to the £100 back, you have found things out about the car which were not disclosed when you decided to buy it, it doesn't matter that he may not know, ignorance is no defence.

albionrovers

Never ever get emotional about a car.
I love cars but it's just a heap of metal.
Walk away, another one's just around the corner.

plane_boy2000

If its the car you really want then I would not be so quick to run away. I would renegotiate the price to very cheap. Given that the guy probably needs to sell it, ensure that you settle any finance on his behalf so that you know its been paid, and you could get yourself a good deal!