[Bigus]

Originally Posted by ianobrien

One trick that I use when looking at a car is also look around the yard. If the house/yard is generally maintained, it's a good sign. The other cars there can be used to give an indication as to the way other cars are treated.

Also, if you can, sneak a peak at the drive where the car was generally parked. Usually, when people are selling a car, they already have a replacement and people being creatures of habit, the replacement will be parked in the old car's usual spot. Have a peek to see if there is oil/fluid staining on the ground.

If, on phoning and after the usual "I'm enquiring about the car for sale", the seller wants to meet in a supermarket car park or petrol station, have some reason to go back to the seller's residence (examine the car in privacy is a good 'un). A genuine seller will not have a problem. A dodgy operator will not like it.....

As for looking at the actual machine, it's the usual points that others have mentioned. One trick that I use on the test drive is to ask the owner to drive the car back. Then you'll see how the owner drove the car and how gentle s/he was.....

Its an inanimate object you're buying not a new partner for life!

don't take it so seriously or you're definitely going to become a TIMEWASTER

[lily lou]

Do I need to follow all this advice if buying from a garage?

[Limerick man]

Originally Posted by lily lou

Do I need to follow all this advice if buying from a garage?

Yes, yes you do. Even more so

[johnos1984]

Originally Posted by Bigus

Its an inanimate object you're buying not a new partner for life!

don't take it so seriously or you're definitely going to become a TIMEWASTER

In fairness thats all pretty standard advice

[melimelo]

Many many thanks for such an informative post. I know that it may seem as "pretty standard advice" however I have found it very helpful in bringing it all together. I am on the look of a used car myself these days and I find it quite a challenge (especially given that I'm a woman - not to mention non Irish - and quite a few people think that all I care about is the colour of the car as if I'm going to match it to my purse...).

I just found an ad (private) on donedeal of a car I like and would consider testing it, so I followed the suggestions on this post however there're a few things that didn't feel quite ok during my phone-call with the current owner and I wonder if people on the know could tell me what they think (if it's not OK to ask such questions here please let me know and I'll remove it):

Car has been imported from UK (Manchester) and current owner doesn't have a documented service history;
Car is a replica (I'm new in boards so am not quite clear if it's ok to share details of the car) and it has been re-painted - current owner says it had to be repainted because it's a replica (???);
Current owner doesn't share the vehicle's registration number (!) because she doesn't want to be hassled by people who don't have a genuine interest in buying the car and even after about 20 questions I made on the car that confirm I have a genuine interest current owner said that her boyfriend says she gave enough information as it is and can't share the vehicle's registration number unless I go there and see it myself...

All they have document-wise is V5/Logbook and a MOT history and DVL.
Do you think it's safe enough to look into it further or does it look like something it's better to stay away from?

Many thanks for the help.

[Bigus]

Originally Posted by melimelo

Many many thanks for such an informative post. I know that it may seem as "pretty standard advice" however I have found it very helpful in bringing it all together. I am on the look of a used car myself these days and I find it quite a challenge (especially given that I'm a woman - not to mention non Irish - and quite a few people think that all I care about is the colour of the car as if I'm going to match it to my purse...).

I just found an ad (private) on donedeal of a car I like and would consider testing it, so I followed the suggestions on this post however there're a few things that didn't feel quite ok during my phone-call with the current owner and I wonder if people on the know could tell me what they think (if it's not OK to ask such questions here please let me know and I'll remove it):

Car has been imported from UK (Manchester) and current owner doesn't have a documented service history;
Car is a replica (I'm new in boards so am not quite clear if it's ok to share details of the car) and it has been re-painted - current owner says it had to be repainted because it's a replica (???);
Current owner doesn't share the vehicle's registration number (!) because she doesn't want to be hassled by people who don't have a genuine interest in buying the car and even after about 20 questions I made on the car that confirm I have a genuine interest current owner said that her boyfriend says she gave enough information as it is and can't share the vehicle's registration number unless I go there and see it myself...

All they have document-wise is V5/Logbook and a MOT history and DVL.
Do you think it's safe enough to look into it further or does it look like something it's better to stay away from?

Many thanks for the help.

My first reaction was to stay a million miles from this, but on second thoughts i'd go and look at this for an education ! but don't buy.
Put up a link to the advert pls !

[Bigus]

Originally Posted by johnos1984

In fairness thats all pretty standard advice

In all fairness how many cars have you looked at/rang about in the last 4 months and not bought ? honestly ?

[Wolverine_1999]

Originally Posted by Bigus

My first reaction was to stay a million miles from this, but on second thoughts i'd go and look at this for an education ! but don't buy.
Put up a link to the advert pls !

Agreed. I've taken the best out of several cars when I am comparing with the one I am testing.

Maybe this car will be an indication of WHAT to look out for when buying!

[melimelo]

Thanks Bigus and Wolverine. My hunch is to stay away from it. There's a small chance for that car to turn out a good opportunity, but there's just too many things not feeling ok with it (e.g. re-painted or car imported in January yet not having being cleared with VRT yet or current owner not knowing how many previous owners etc) and I'm not that eager to drive all the way to Limerick for a car that most likely is a scam. Btw, this is the link to it:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2052873

I agree totally with both that the more you test-drive the better you know what you want and what you don't want.

Thanks again.

[Reloc8]

You know you'll have to pay the VRT on that right ?

I got a VRT quote of €1,600 on the online calculator for a 1.6 petrol engine 2004 Mini Cooper which would not include the value of the extras on the car...so ask to see the VRT assessment - seller says VRT is €1,000 - or proof that it has been presented for VRT assessment - because otherwise you will have to present it and will be liable for interest and penalties if this has not been done within 30 days of the car landing in the state.)

If you don't feel comfortable with the seller, walk away with your money in your pocket.

[Anan1]

Originally Posted by Bigus

In all fairness how many cars have you looked at/rang about in the last 4 months and not bought ? honestly ?

He could have looked at 1000 cars and not bought any and it'd still be good advice.

[Malice]

I just wanted to add my thanks to the existing chorus so well done Limerick Man and thanks for putting up that information.

[melimelo]

Thanks, Reloc8. I hadn't realised that interest and penalties would be borne by the buyer, so thanks for noting that. That car went off my list anyway - just too many things not sounding ok with it.

[dr.fuzzenstein]

One thing I would urge anyone to do (especially in rural areas with bad roads):
Jack the car up on each corner and spin the wheels by hand.
If you're in the countryside and the wheels are alloy I guarantee you that at least two will wobble because the car WILL have encountered a pothole or boulder from a stone wall that it would have hit at full speed.
Last two cars I looked at had maybe 2 straight wheel between them.
It's hard to see when the car is parked and, if the wheel got balanced afterwards, it might not be immediately obvious, but look out for multiple weights on the rim and have a look through the spokes for any flat spots on the back of the rim.
This could save you hundreds in replacing warped wheels.
because a bent wheel is a fcuked wheel.

[trek04]

Thanks for the info....much appreciated this is what i exactly looking for.