Drive way dealers....?

goatfertility

A lot of the 'private' sellers on Autotrader, etc appear to be drive way dealers. Seems like they almost mascarade as non trade sellers. Feels well dodgy. Nearly bought a van off on once, ended up doing the paperwork in his kitchen got ants in my pants and pulled out.

Is it worth running a mile away from them vs proper business traders with an actual show room / fore court at least?

waamo

Many years ago I bought a car from a driveway dealer. They didn't pretend they were anything they weren't. Receipt was on proper headed business paper.

They used their front room as the office, it looked like organised chaos.

Never had any issue at all. I kept the car about 8 years before wear and tear got too much.

If they are up front they are a trader I see no reason why they can't be as helpful as any trader with a nice forecourt and smart office.

G_M

As you know, you get additional protection when buying from a dealer rather than a private sale.

The issue arises if you think he's a dealer, but when you take the car back because it's unroadworthy, he claims to be private and tells you to get lost.

You would then have to prove he was a dealer, in order to claim the extra protection.

In waamo's example above, it should be simple (headed paper etc). But not always so easy.....

debtdebt

Just treat it as a private sale. Make sure the price is reflective of a private sale and check the car over properly or get an inspection. Do a full HPI too. If the car seems ok, go for it. Just don't expect any comeback of something goes wrong, the same as in a private sale.

takman

If you do the proper checks beforehand (both paperwork/online and mechancial) and they arn't trying to deceive you then there isn't any problem buying a car like this.


Some people like a showroom with big signs and smarty dressed salespeople who all want to be your best mate and give you free tea/cofee. But your going to be paying a big premium for this compared to a "Drive way dealer".

Emilychristina

As you know, you get additional protection when buying from a dealer rather than a private sale.

motorguy

waamo wrote: »

Many years ago I bought a car from a driveway dealer. They didn't pretend they were anything they weren't. Receipt was on proper headed business paper.

They used their front room as the office, it looked like organised chaos.

Never had any issue at all. I kept the car about 8 years before wear and tear got too much.

If they are up front they are a trader I see no reason why they can't be as helpful as any trader with a nice forecourt and smart office.

No issues with legitimate driveway traders, doing as you say, heading paper, knowing - and standing over - their legal obligations.

95% though masquerade as private sellers, dont know their obligation and often doctor a car up for a quick profit and a "sorry pal, private sale" stonewall when something goes wrong.

motorguy

Emilychristina wrote: »

As you know, you get additional protection when buying from a dealer rather than a private sale.

Thats not the question though is it?

Your rights are identical if you buy off a driveway trader or a main dealer.

The problem is if a trader is masquerading as a private seller, what additional protection are you really going to be able to enforce if something goes wrong?

motorguy

takman wrote: »

If you do the proper checks beforehand (both paperwork/online and mechancial) and they arn't trying to deceive you then there isn't any problem buying a car like this.


Some people like a showroom with big signs and smarty dressed salespeople who all want to be your best mate and give you free tea/cofee. But your going to be paying a big premium for this compared to a "Drive way dealer".

Yup. Its the "selling it because my wife doesnt like it" brigade who are the problem

rhino_horn

Our car sales business started in our spare bedroom 8 years ago. Moved in to an office in our garden 4.5 years ago. We finally bought premises 2 years ago.

Never had a car returned in 8 years of trading.

We provided (and still do) HPI checks, give 6 months warranty, PDI and MOT before the vehicle is sold.

Obviously do your own checks but not all driveway dealers are a no go area

tykesi

motorguy wrote: »

Thats not the question though is it?

Your rights are identical if you buy off a driveway trader or a main dealer.

The problem is if a trader is masquerading as a private seller, what additional protection are you really going to be able to enforce if something goes wrong?

EmilyChristina thinks she's clever surreptitiously advertising her American insurance business by commenting on a UK based forum.

I don't think she's clever - I think she's a tw-at