Buying car online

bromine

I want to buy a used car at a low budget (3k). I am very tempted by to the full refund option for online purchases, which you don't get if you visit the dealer. Has anyone else done this? Is it a sensible thing to do?

motorguy

bromine said:

I want to buy a used car at a low budget (3k). I am very tempted by to the full refund option for online purchases, which you don't get if you visit the dealer. Has anyone else done this? Is it a sensible thing to do?

I think whilst you have the "right" to a full refund, envoking that could be another thing entirely (unless the dealer in question has that as one of their USPs).  My gut feeling is the sort of person selling a car at £3K is not necessarily just going to refund instantly if theres a "problem" with the car (of which there may be some contention as to whether its a fault / wear and tear).

I'd personally rather go see and check the car over (or have it checked / bring someone with me to do that) and thus know precisely what i'm getting, rather than be buying it blind and then hoping to roll it back if something isnt right later.

Herzlos

You can return an online purchase within 14 days provided, but in reality you can test drive it when it arrives and have 14 days to return it. You'll usually have to pay for any mileage beyond a reasonable test drive, for cleaning, etc. With mine I would have had to pay £1/mile after 20miles.

If it breaks down after that, you've got a whole new pile of issues.

So it really only makes sense if you're expecting to keep the car. I'd probably only do it for something that's still in warranty.

For your £3k budget I'd try and find something local you can inspect and drive first.

shiraz99

bromine said:

I want to buy a used car at a low budget (3k). I am very tempted by to the full refund option for online purchases, which you don't get if you visit the dealer. Has anyone else done this? Is it a sensible thing to do?

Bear in mind that although you have 14 days to cancel a distance contract that doesn't mean you have 14 days to drive around the car before changing your mind. As mentioned above you'd only be able to get away with a similar test drive as you would normally do at the dealer premises, anything more would be classed as handling beyond what is reasonable which would result in a deduction from any refund.