Would you buy a used car from the side of the road?

NIMAN

They seem to be everywhere these days, and many of them look the part.

But as someone who only knows how to drive a car, and nothing much about engines, mechanics etc, I would never consider buying one. Many might be good deals, but simply wouldn't trust myself not to buy a dud.

I know if you get a good mechanic to check it over and do a history check on it, you may limit your chances of buying bad, but I still like the idea of a dealer warranty, even though I pay for it.

Thoughts?

jsn.peters

Not in a month of Sundays would I buy one from the side of the road, no come back what so ever.

pippip

jsn.peters wrote: »

Not in a month of Sundays would I buy one from the side of the road, no come back what so ever.

Think the op means cars sitting on the side of the road with for sale sign on them.

Not actually doing a deal and handing over the money on the side of the road

langdang

I hear that VWs sold at the side of the road are less silver than those sold by main dealers. How could you even be sure that it was a VW? Not some Chinese clone, and some knock off Padre Pio sticker. Disgusting really when you think about it, you don't know where they've been!

NIMAN

Thats the ones I meant ok, but tbh never really thought about where the deal would be done. Thinking about it now I would insist about meeting at the sellers house, no way I'd hand over several grand at the side of the road.

I was just asking would you buy a car advertised for sale along a road, or would it always have to be a dealership with forecourt etc?

clappyhappy

I know my brother has sold two cars that were advertised on road. One car was only there for three hours, he is a mechanic and gave three month guarantee on mechanical faults. He never had an issue with anyone, and we have a good few friends who have also done the same.

Anan1

NIMAN wrote: »

They seem to be everywhere these days, and many of them look the part.

But as someone who only knows how to drive a car, and nothing much about engines, mechanics etc, I would never consider buying one. Many might be good deals, but simply wouldn't trust myself not to buy a dud.

I know if you get a good mechanic to check it over and do a history check on it, you may limit your chances of buying bad, but I still like the idea of a dealer warranty, even though I pay for it.

Thoughts?

If you know nothing about cars then it's safer (and cheaper) to buy privately from someone you trust and who's had the car for a while, having a mechanic check it out before handing over any money.

flutered

i bought on on the side of the street in dublin, with no way down home if the deal went wrong, i bought it and had 12 months trouble free, then sold it for 200 more than i paid for it.

-Corkie-

How about buying a car of ebay on a saturday nite and not remembering it on sunday..:D

NIMAN

clappyhappy wrote: »

I know my brother has sold two cars that were advertised on road. One car was only there for three hours, he is a mechanic and gave three month guarantee on mechanical faults. He never had an issue with anyone, and we have a good few friends who have also done the same.

But if he is a private individual he wouldn't have to stand over that guarantee.

Many would probably take his guarantee with a pinch of salt tbh. No offence meant.