Is it wise to buy a car on ebay without seeing it first

dj0586

What is the legal situation if the car isn't as good as you thought. Is it a not as described case in which you walk away without paying.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Never buy a car without first seeing it, unless you know exactly what you're doing.

If it isn't as described, walk away.

balsingh

forget the legality part .... you would be silly to buy any car without seeing it first (ebay or no ebay)

lisyloo

It's a case of buyer beware, so it's your responsibility to check out the car before you buy.
It's called "sold as seen".
I think it might be illegal to sell a vehicle that's unroadworthy unless stated but other than that it's your responsibility.

I would say in general it's unwise to buy one without seeing it and if it's a lot of money then it's worth getting a proper inspection.
Many companies do these incuding the AA or RAC but if you know anyone that's a mechanic that you trust then offer to pay them (assuming you trust their abilities).

anewman

Most genuine ebay sellers will have no problem with you looking before auction end. I guess the only problem is you may not win the bidding and wasted your time going to look.

Here's one person's example of buying an unseen car, but seems they're a mechanic and knew what they were doing to sort it out.

http://bangernomics.tripod.com/polo.htm

Oh and I love "lesson 5"

robpw2

no .. simply no

lauren_1

No, dont even bid without looking, if you bid, win then decide its not what you wanted you can be liable for the final value fee (or something of that nature) i thinks its the ebay fee's based on a percentage of what it sold for.

Hintza

I have bought two cars on EBay both unseen CAT D write offs. Both nearly new.

First one was a win and no problem, first car for my eldest. The second one which is now the other halfs car required a bit more work which was unexpected (and was probably not worth it), the second one in particular I probably should have viewed first but I took a chance.

In general though I would say no. However you can always phone the seller and ask loads of questions and if it all seems OK go with you cash to collect it and if there are any unforseen problems or its not as described then you can still walk away or ask for a monetary adjustment. I would probably follow this route if the car was a fair distance away.

hartcjhart

I have bought a few cars on ebay and not been dissapointed,ask as many questions as poss to get a good overview on the condition,take the answers given with you when you go to pick it up(if you win)and if it is significantly not as described you can walk away or adjust price,
Check the sellers feedback for Items SOLD not purchased

aztec21

I wouldn't worry about it. Most listings have lots of photos so you know exactly what you are getting. Also if you turn up to collect the car you do not have to pay it if it turns out it was not as described.

onejontwo

I'm afraid the photos don't show up any mechanical faults, and how often do you see photos of the underside of the vehicle?
There could be all sorts of problems on the vehicle which can't be spotted on the photos!
Proceed with caution ..........if at all!!!