Buying from private sellers

onwards&upwards

Is this really only an option if you are knowledgeable about cars and can assess and/or repair them yourself? (Or have a good friend or family member who can!)

I used to buy my old bangers privately back in my cash strapped youth, but is it false economy on a more expensive car if your expertise is limiting to checking tyres and oil?

AdrianC

What sort of price range are you looking in?

<£2k, no way would I buy trade.
<£5k/6yo, I'd be sceptical.
<£10k/3yo, I'd be very sceptical.
Anything much pricier or younger, I'd be hard-pushed not to go trade.

Buying from a trader is hardly foolproof, of course. They may even be better at hiding dogs than private sellers, and you're paying handsomely for the pleasure...

There's a lot of third-party independent inspections available, wherever you buy from.

onwards&upwards

AdrianC wrote: »

What sort of price range are you looking in?

<£2k, no way would I buy trade.
<£5k/6yo, I'd be sceptical.
<£10k/3yo, I'd be very sceptical.
Anything much pricier or younger, I'd be hard-pushed not to go trade.

Buying from a trader is hardly foolproof, of course. They may even be better at hiding dogs than private sellers, and you're paying handsomely for the pleasure...

There's a lot of third-party independent inspections available, wherever you buy from.

Around 5k, small cars, 3-5 years old.

It’s hard not to be tempted as it looks like you can get more bang for your buck with a private sale, but are you just saving money that you’ll have to spend anyway within a year?

Who can you trust to do an inspection is another question I don’t know the answer to!

AdrianC

onwards&upwards wrote: »

Around 5k, small cars, 3-5 years old.

It’s hard not to be tempted as it looks like you can get more bang for your buck with a private sale, but are you just saving money that you’ll have to spend anyway within a year?

Not necessarily...

If there's a manufacturer approved used scheme, then simply ask yourselves why they've not sold the car into that. If there's a sensible answer to that, then all may be good.

Who can you trust to do an inspection is another question I don’t know the answer to!

Well, how about whichever garage or mechanic that you'd trust to work on it after you've bought it? Think in terms of paying for an hour or so of labour, plus travel time if you're expecting them to go to the car, rather than you taking it to them.

Or the big "breakdown services".
https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection
https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections

caprikid1

Trade cars are just private cars + £1000 (or20%) with some form of warranty if you are willing and able to enforce it.

jefaz07

AdrianC wrote: »

Not necessarily...

If there's a manufacturer approved used scheme, then simply ask yourselves why they've not sold the car into that. If there's a sensible answer to that, then all may be good.


Well, how about whichever garage or mechanic that you'd trust to work on it after you've bought it? Think in terms of paying for an hour or so of labour, plus travel time if you're expecting them to go to the car, rather than you taking it to them.

Or the big "breakdown services".
https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection
https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections

A car has to be serviced from the manufacturer from new to be classed as approved used does it not? So some can never be classed as that. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad car

alembicbassman

If you find a reputable dealer that welcomes a customer who doesn't require finance, paint protection, extended warranties and service plans let me know. Private buyers, a least, don't try to sell you this crap.

AdrianC

jefaz07 wrote: »

A car has to be serviced from the manufacturer from new to be classed as approved used does it not?

Depends on the approved scheme.

So some can never be classed as that. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad car

Indeed. And that's what could be the "sensible answer".

onwards&upwards

alembicbassman wrote: »

If you find a reputable dealer that welcomes a customer who doesn't require finance, paint protection, extended warranties and service plans let me know. Private buyers, a least, don't try to sell you this crap.

Well I definitely won’t be buying on finance. But then there’s also the feeling that 5k is a lot of money to hand over to a stranger with no consumer protection except theSCC!

AdrianC

onwards&upwards wrote: »

But then there’s also the feeling that 5k is a lot of money to hand over to a stranger with no consumer protection except theSCC!

So when you bought your house...?

EdGasketTheSecond

For 5K make sure you do a HPI check and even that won't cover you for log-book loans.