Buying car long distance

mutley74

The car I am after is only available from main dealers which are more than 2 hrs drive from where I am located. I am looking to replace my current Hybrid is a newer model same model.  

My local main dealer is unable to source any 22 reg cars for me. 

What should I look out for when buying long distance? is it better to get it delivered vs collected? 

As delivery would mean I am unable to do a test drive.

any advice, tips welcome. thanks

fatbelly

Personally i'd make that two hour drive.

I have bought three times from an area 2 hours from where i live. Each time i've made the journey one weekend and then travelled to collect the following weekend. I think twice i made the journey by train and the other was a part-ex

Herzlos

Technically if they deliver then they'd need to collect it again, but in reality you're better test driving the car before paying for it.

Is that main dealer part of a chain, where there's a closer branch they can transfer the car to?

As it's under warranty, you should be able to take it to any franchised dealer for work, but you should be prepared to take it back to the supplying dealer for any small remedial work.

mutley74

Herzlos said:

Technically if they deliver then they'd need to collect it again, but in reality you're better test driving the car before paying for it.

Is that main dealer part of a chain, where there's a closer branch they can transfer the car to?

As it's under warranty, you should be able to take it to any franchised dealer for work, but you should be prepared to take it back to the supplying dealer for any small remedial work.

When I saw a similar car via Evans Halshaw, they wanted a non refundable fee of £149 just to transport the car and the fee could not be part of any deal. 

Other cars are from smaller independent dealers who do not have a branch near me. 

baser999

When we bought our car in April they moved it in from another dealership branch, at no cost to us. Surprised that others are being asked to pay for this.

sheramber

mutley74 said:

Herzlos said:

Technically if they deliver then they'd need to collect it again, but in reality you're better test driving the car before paying for it.

Is that main dealer part of a chain, where there's a closer branch they can transfer the car to?

As it's under warranty, you should be able to take it to any franchised dealer for work, but you should be prepared to take it back to the supplying dealer for any small remedial work.

When I saw a similar car via Evans Halshaw, they wanted a non refundable fee of £149 just to transport the car and the fee could not be part of any deal. 

Other cars are from smaller independent dealers who do not have a branch near me. 

is ti worth £149 to be able to see snd test dive the car  rather than travelling ours away to do it yourself?

Go ans seeit and have a day out.

Herzlos

mutley74 said:

Herzlos said:

Technically if they deliver then they'd need to collect it again, but in reality you're better test driving the car before paying for it.

Is that main dealer part of a chain, where there's a closer branch they can transfer the car to?

As it's under warranty, you should be able to take it to any franchised dealer for work, but you should be prepared to take it back to the supplying dealer for any small remedial work.

When I saw a similar car via Evans Halshaw, they wanted a non refundable fee of £149 just to transport the car and the fee could not be part of any deal. 

Other cars are from smaller independent dealers who do not have a branch near me. 

That's not unreasonable; it's going to cost a fair bit of money to move a car 100-150 miles away. It's either going to need a truck or 2 sales guys, and take about 4 hours return.

I think some places will roll it into the purchase price if you buy it, or deliver free if you commit to it. I.e. you're buying the car and getting it delivered, so taking the car unless there is a fault, rather than getting the car transported just to look at it.

mysterymiss

Hi, even if the car is still quite new you should always go and see it, test drive it and be satisfied about owning it. A few hours taken to put yourself at ease with the purchase is probably the sensible option. 

mutley74

sheramber said:

mutley74 said:

Herzlos said:

Technically if they deliver then they'd need to collect it again, but in reality you're better test driving the car before paying for it.

Is that main dealer part of a chain, where there's a closer branch they can transfer the car to?

As it's under warranty, you should be able to take it to any franchised dealer for work, but you should be prepared to take it back to the supplying dealer for any small remedial work.

When I saw a similar car via Evans Halshaw, they wanted a non refundable fee of £149 just to transport the car and the fee could not be part of any deal. 

Other cars are from smaller independent dealers who do not have a branch near me. 

is ti worth £149 to be able to see snd test dive the car  rather than travelling ours away to do it yourself?

Go ans seeit and have a day out.

Yeah agree. I love to have a day out but just dont have the time and a health issue has temporary restricted what I can do. 

born_again

mutley74 said:

The car I am after is only available from main dealers which are more than 2 hrs drive from where I am located. I am looking to replace my current Hybrid is a newer model same model.  

My local main dealer is unable to source any 22 reg cars for me. 

What should I look out for when buying long distance? is it better to get it delivered vs collected? 

As delivery would mean I am unable to do a test drive.

any advice, tips welcome. thanks

Done just the same. Travelled over one weekend, had test drive agreed deal. Finished up have a nice day out in Blackpool (another hour drive) on the way back & then home afterwards.
Went over next weekend to pick up.

You could try asking if you like the car & want (lot easier when you already know the car you are looking at). Could you do the deal there & then P/X included if that is what you are doing.
Sadly they could not do that for me, but were not bothered about the extra miles that would be put on my P/X

Stateofart

Always look at the car and test drive before buying.  Just been to see a Volvo from a main dealer.  They sent me a video, all looked good on film.  Went to see it and it was rough as...didn't even start negociations as it looked like the hardest wearing young family had lived in it for the last three years.