Buying a secondhand car from Autotrader

guardianangel

Hi
I was hoping someone could help me. I have never purchased a car privately and a little lost with things. If I'm honest the car sounds a little too good to be true and I've heard of people doing a search on cars. I've googled it but there's so many to choose from and Autotrader does one of their own.
Can anyone suggest any good ones to use or are they all the same. The cost also ranges from site to site so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
T x

forgotmyname

You mean a HPI check?

Stick to the main ones HPI, AA, RAC.

Dont bother with cheap text checks.

And they only tell you whats been recorded. Cars get badly damaged and not recorded. Only an inspection will tell you that and if it was repaired properly.

Not a scammers car is it? IM in Portugal and i need a quick sale the cars here but pay some fake payment service and i will get the car shipped to you and you inspect it and they release the funds.

paypal secure or yahoo finance or something that doesnt offer this sort of service.

StrongWork

If you know nothing about cars, my best advice is to take a friend or family member who is car savvy with you to inspect the car. Failing that, an AA inspection might be a prudent investment.

Regarding checks - it's the HPI search you are after. This will check whether the car has been reported to have had any accidents or been stolen/recovered etc.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Autotrader car check is good value, about £20 for one BUT £25ish for 5 checks over a 60 day period (check those figures yourself), that second option gives you good value if viewing several, its a full check including finance.

They insure the car you buy against false information but you must be able to enter the full chassis number for vehicle confirmation and therefore insurance covered, so do this before you pay for the car.

Good advice about taking a car expert of some sort with you.

motorguy

guardianangel wrote: »

Hi
I was hoping someone could help me. I have never purchased a car privately and a little lost with things. If I'm honest the car sounds a little too good to be true and I've heard of people doing a search on cars. I've googled it but there's so many to choose from and Autotrader does one of their own.
Can anyone suggest any good ones to use or are they all the same. The cost also ranges from site to site so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
T x

What do you mean sounds a little too good to be true?

Can we see the advert? There are a lot of scammers who use other peoples photos to lure you in to dealing with them, and an HPI check wont show this.

guardianangel

Thanks all. Really appreciate your comments.
The guy is in Essex. I haven't been to see the car yet as its a distance from me so wanted to do a few checks before I go with a friend to see it.
I found the car on my Autotrader app on my phone and I can't copy the advert on here.