buyacar (advise needed please)

Jord11

Hi,
I would like some advice please before I go ahead and purchase a car.  I have seen a second hand car advertised on BUYACAR WEBSITE....  is this a respectable place to purchase, as I have seen some posts saying its just a broker... are they any good etc...

Many thanks for your help... don't want to get ripped off.

Thanks
Tom

AdrianC

https://www.buyacar.co.uk/how-it-works

"Choose from 49,197 cars"
"We'll contact the supplying dealer"

And on every car page
"Every car on BuyaCar has been sourced from our trusted dealer network"

Yes, they're just a portal. They aren't actually selling you the car...

Jord11

Hi Adrian,
Thanks for replying;  I suppose my question is, am I mad to consider purchasing a car that I have never seen... and will be delivered to my door with a money back guarantee ?  Would it be better to find out who the dealer is and then if its feasible go and have a look at the car physically, rather than just over the Internet... Thanks

ElefantEd

I would never buy a car that I hadn't physically seen and driven. Cars are expensive items, you need to be sure you're happy with it. As for money back guarantees, although it might work if you're not happy, at best it will be a hassle to return the car, and at worst the company may wriggle out of it.

Jord11

Dam, 
I may have been too hasty here ...... not sure what to do now

AdrianC

Jord11 said:

I suppose my question is, am I mad to consider purchasing a car that I have never seen... and will be delivered to my door with a money back guarantee ?

Lots of people do it.

Personally, I'd far rather spend the time before purchase in making sure it was the right car than fanny about trying to get my money back afterwards...

MovingForwards

I would sooner use the likes of gumtree and autotrader to find a new to me car. Distance parameters can be set as can make / model and numerous other finer details. Then go and physically look at them.

Even with my just 'purchased car' I went to collect it from the dealer to give it one final look over before taking the keys. Although the option of delivery was possible, it's not something I am comfortable with.

Jord11

I am still not sure that I have made the right move, but I thought for peace of mind I have done a HPI CHECK, and all seems to be OK.  Like many of you have said, it would be better to see the vehicle before purchase.....many thanks for your advice, much appreciated..Tom

born_again

Jord11 said:

Dam, 
I may have been too hasty here ...... not sure what to do now

Search Autotrader for the car...
Odds on you will find it on there.

Grumpy_chap

Jord11 said:

Hi,
I would like some advice please before I go ahead and purchase a car.  I have seen a second hand car advertised on BUYACAR WEBSITE....  is this a respectable place to purchase, as I have seen some posts saying its just a broker... are they any good etc...

Many thanks for your help... don't want to get ripped off.

Thanks
Tom

As others have said, I would not ordinarily choose to buy a used car and order it without seeing it.

However, my view in this regard is softening and I rather think now it might be something I would consider. 
The main reason for a change in stance is that both my neighbour's sons (i.e. each side) have purchased cars using online and delivery recently and both had successful outcomes.  
A secondary factor is that a car purchased online and totally a remote purchase delivered to the house is covered under the CCR, so 14 days to return the car for any (or no) reason.  That, possibly, makes a total distance purchase more assured than a purchase from afar but then pick up in person where you can be sure that the garage will require paperwork to be signed at the premises making sure the CCR does not apply.
Information on CCR here: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-contracts-regulations-ajWHC8m21cAk

Also, if you see a car on BUYACAR, some of the adverts make it clear wo the supplying dealer is, as per the first listing today:
https://www.buyacar.co.uk/renault/zoe/zoe-hatchback/65kw-dynamique-nav-22kwh-5dr-auto-70601/deal-4018204

knightstyle

Our neighbour bought a car without seeing it, it was delivered and after having it for 10 days he found that the doors filled up with water when it rained so he contacted the garage who collected it and returned his PX car with no hastle.