Safest way to buy a car from private seller?

f1_girly

I am looking to buy a first car for my son, if  I go for a private sale what is the safest way to pay in case there are any issues when I get the car as they’re not going to have a card machine for me to use a credit or debit card? Thanks

Grumpy_chap

At what kind of price-point do you intend to buy?
Most private buyers will want either cash or bank transfer.
Obviously, be sure to meet the seller at the address of the registered keeper, and check they actually go in the house, not just "borrowed" the road outside.

se2020

There are no safe ways to pay incase you get any issues from a private seller.
The only safe way is to give the car a proper check over first and make sure you are happy with everything and check everything works correctly.
Once you are happy with it pay them by cash or do a instant bank transfer on a phone. That's a good way to check they live at the address as you can ask to use the wifi,  or ask to use the toilet/ glass of water.
There is very little come back on a private sale so you have to check the car first as you are basically buying what you can see.
If you don't know how to check it and are expecting to get a refund from a credit card if you have problems then you should buy from an established car dealer that offers a warranty. 

ontheroad1970

You will want to see the V5 - the registration document and check that the address matches the sellers.  If it doesn't you should only proceed with extreme caution.

clive0510

test drive it and make sure it starts n stops with no funny noises. check how much tread on tyres and also condition of brake pads n discs through the wheels if you can. find out how much mot is left on car. if you find anything wrong with it that gives you good reason to knock a chunk off the price. once you parted with the money, its very difficult to go back afterward.

Grumpy_chap

clive0510 said:

once you parted with the money, its very difficult impossible to go back afterward.

Corrected.  For private sale.

silverwhistle

When I bought my current car I went to view it locally and had a test drive. Agreed a price and then when the insurance was sorted got the seller to drive over, I paid on-line, she checked her account had received the payment, we completed the paperwork and I then drove her home. Very simple with the fast payments banks do these days. I'm just about to sell now, if you're in Hampshire (?!), and hope to do the same again.

knightstyle

Pay for an HPI check before going to see the car.  Pay by bank transfer when completely satisfied the car is OK.  Make a payment of £5 first to make sure the sellers details are correct then pay the rest.
Arrange insurance and road tax, easy to do on line, before leaving with the car.

MinuteNoodles

f1_girly said:

I am looking to buy a first car for my son, if  I go for a private sale what is the safest way to pay in case there are any issues when I get the car as they’re not going to have a card machine for me to use a credit or debit card? Thanks

You won't be covered under any card protection anyway with a private sale. Private sales are caveat emptor, buyer beware. A seller does not have to volunteer information, they are only required to reply to questions truthfully and to a level that a non-mechanical layperson would, not a qualified time served motor mechanic. 

EdGasketTheSecond

If there are issues when you get the car then you have to fix them yourself. Very little comeback on a private buy unless you have proof that the seller told a lie, e.g. the advert was incorrect .

Grumpy_chap

Make sure to get a signed receipt from the seller and also the slip from the V5C.