Best Used Car UK Sites?

discombobulate

What are the main UK websites for selling cars? I've been looking on eBay and autotrader but wondering are there others I should be checking. Thanks

bazz26

donedeal.co.uk

miller50841

autotrader.co.uk is the best from my experience got a lot off it and were good decent cars too.

randy hickey

Loot.com.

Ninap

discombobulate wrote: »

What are the main UK websites for selling cars? I've been looking on eBay and autotrader but wondering are there others I should be checking. Thanks

Check out cargiant.co.uk. Good car supermarket. I helped a friend buy a car there. They've every marque, verified service history, warranty, you know it's not stolen, hpi'd etc. Good prices too. There are other supermarkets too, eg motorpoint

bbability

I bought a car from cargiant in 09. One of the best experiences I had in purchasing a car from start to finish

discombobulate

Don't have any of what i'm looking for unfortunately but will keep an eye on them

Gosub

Is Exchange and Mart still going? They used to be a big one.

Shane732

compucars.co.uk

ipodrocker

bbability wrote: »

I bought a car from cargiant in 09. One of the best experiences I had in purchasing a car from start to finish

did you find the process straight forward?

bbability

Absolutely. Very impressive. The process was so different to what I was used to here.

CiniO

bbability wrote: »

Absolutely. Very impressive. The process was so different to what I was used to here.

Could you describe in short?

I can see from their website that you can reserve a car for £200, but they only accept cash or UK debit cards, so it's pretty much impossible to choose something online and reserve from Ireland if you don't have UK debit card.

Also full payment is only accepted by UK debit card, bank draft (i'm not sure if they would accept one from Ireland) or cash, but they charge extra fee for this privelage once car costs more than £5000 (and most cars on thier website does).


That would present 2 problems for me.
I have no way of paying deposit, so once I choose the car I can't reserve it. I can only book a flight and pray that no one will buy it in the mean time.

Final payment also isn't ideal, as bank draft from Irish bank in sterling provides very poor exchange rate, while if you pay by cash, there is extra surcharge.
No Credit card payment option.

NIMAN

If checking NI cars then there is:

www.usedcarsni.co.uk

www.nicarfinder.co.uk

www.gumtree.co.uk and selecting the Nothern Ireland counties

www.utvdrive.co.uk

www.seremotors.com

http://www.charleshurstgroup.co.uk/

http://www.ulstertrader.com/

http://www.donnellygroup.co.uk/

mickdw

Brother bought a car from car giant too, a nearly new vauxhall at a good price. No issues and the way they handled an irish customer who had issues with his bmw as reported in a thread here last year gives me great confidence in them tbh. Anyone can sell a bad car, its how its dealt with that is important.

NIMAN

Cargiant seem to be getting a lot of good press here, and I had looked at that site myself recently, seem decent prices.

I did notice that they say on their website that lowest prices and not need to spend time negotiating. I assume this mean that the price on the website is the best price you are going to get, and no point haggling with them?

magic_murph

CiniO wrote: »

Could you describe in short?

I can see from their website that you can reserve a car for £200, but they only accept cash or UK debit cards, so it's pretty much impossible to choose something online and reserve from Ireland if you don't have UK debit card.

Also full payment is only accepted by UK debit card, bank draft (i'm not sure if they would accept one from Ireland) or cash, but they charge extra fee for this privelage once car costs more than £5000 (and most cars on thier website does).


That would present 2 problems for me.
I have no way of paying deposit, so once I choose the car I can't reserve it. I can only book a flight and pray that no one will buy it in the mean time.

Final payment also isn't ideal, as bank draft from Irish bank in sterling provides very poor exchange rate, while if you pay by cash, there is extra surcharge.
No Credit card payment option.

Payment options from CarGiant:
Final Payment Types

UK issued Debit Cards
Visa Debit, Electron, Maestro and Solo.
Bank Drafts
Building Society Cheques(Payable to Cargiant ltd)

Cash*

*Payment up to £5000 Free
*£5001 to £10,000 incur a £25.00 charge
*£10,001+ incur a £50.00 charge
We do not accept

Credit Cards
Charge Cards
Personal Cheques
Company Cheques


I assum form this I could go over, pay a 200 deposit is required or just purchase car using my Maestro card from AIB. Once you have the funds in the account and card allows for a sizeable withdrawal I can't imagine there would be a problem.

Anybody purchase from cargiant and pay by card?

discombobulate

magic_murph wrote: »

Payment options from CarGiant:
Final Payment Types

UK issued Debit Cards
Visa Debit, Electron, Maestro and Solo.
Bank Drafts
Building Society Cheques(Payable to Cargiant ltd)

Cash*

*Payment up to £5000 Free
*£5001 to £10,000 incur a £25.00 charge
*£10,001+ incur a £50.00 charge
We do not accept

Credit Cards
Charge Cards
Personal Cheques
Company Cheques


I assum form this I could go over, pay a 200 deposit is required or just purchase car using my Maestro card from AIB. Once you have the funds in the account and card allows for a sizeable withdrawal I can't imagine there would be a problem.

Anybody purchase from cargiant and pay by card?

Maybe give them a quick call or email and ask them.

CiniO

magic_murph wrote: »

Payment options from CarGiant:
Final Payment Types

UK issued Debit Cards
Visa Debit, Electron, Maestro and Solo.
Bank Drafts
Building Society Cheques(Payable to Cargiant ltd)

Cash*

*Payment up to £5000 Free
*£5001 to £10,000 incur a £25.00 charge
*£10,001+ incur a £50.00 charge
We do not accept

Credit Cards
Charge Cards
Personal Cheques
Company Cheques


I assum form this I could go over, pay a 200 deposit is required or just purchase car using my Maestro card from AIB. Once you have the funds in the account and card allows for a sizeable withdrawal I can't imagine there would be a problem.

Anybody purchase from cargiant and pay by card?

My understanding is that you can only use UK issued debit cards, so AIB card won't suffice.

Cash probably the only reasonable option for Irish people, but there is a surcharge.

discombobulate

CiniO wrote: »

My understanding is that you can only use UK issued debit cards, so AIB card won't suffice.

Cash probably the only reasonable option for Irish people, but there is a surcharge.

Seems a great concept after looking at the website a bit more. Just putting fair prices up, reducing the messing that goes on with haggling and offering a good customer experience.

Yamanoto

I've been keeping an eye on theses folks on ebay.co.uk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/carswithnoreserve/m.html

A few recent motors sold include:

2005 SAAB 9-5 LINEAR SPORT TID GREY ESTATE £1,490.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170992650808?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

54 ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE SENSATIONAL 1 F/OWNER FACELIFT EXAMPLE, LEATHER ETC £925.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181081591009?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

55 REG VOLVO V50 SE D TOTALLY STUNNING EXAMPLE, 1 OWNER, LEATHER, CLIMATE ETC £2,953.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181059461800?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Gosub

Yamanoto wrote: »

I've been keeping an eye on theses folks on ebay.co.uk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/carswithnoreserve/m.html

A few recent motors sold include:

You realise that we'll have to start a thread here now, to make sure Boardsies aren't outbidding each other, making the price higher.

Sobanek

Gosub wrote: »

You realise that we'll have to start a thread here now, to make sure Boardsies aren't outbidding each other, making the price higher.

It's no big surprise that you can get some bargains when bidding at auctions with no reserve. My best friend from Poland got himself a nice 2002 BMW 525i for 13,500 zlotys (about 5,000 PLN / €1,200 below the market price)

jod1983

Bought a car from Cargiant on the 18 Jan. This is how i got on...

Landed in Heathrow at 9.45am. Got the Heathrow Express train to Paddington station, then took the Bakerloo line Underground to Willesden Junction. From there i walked about 3/4 of a mile to Cargiant. At Cargiant for 10.55.

I had set my mind on 3 cars (as i didnt want to land there and no car available) and lucky i did as they only had one left.

Went into the sales office and asked for the keys of the car. For security they your car keys or passport. I spent nearly a half hour at the car on my own, which i was quiet happy with as i took the opportunity to check the car on the Motorcheck.ie site. The salesman then came out, went through the car with me eg. service history, car specs ect... Then took it for test drive.

Once happy with the car, i was taken to the sales office and had my details taken (you need passport or driving licence plus 2 proofs of address) and then paid a £200 deposit. Cause i was travelling back to Ireland, they told me that i could collect the car at 1.30pm. Then rang my insurance company to transfer policy.

Called back at 1.30 and filled in all the relative forms. I choose to pay by both bankers draft and cash. The car was £6999, so had £6000 bankers draft (made payable to Cargiant Ltd) and £1000 in cash. Once paid i was shown to the car and again shown the controls.
Then headed for Fishguard in Wales, journey took 4 3/4 hours. Got the ferry at 2.45am, in Rosslare for 6.15am and back in Cork for 10.00am.

*Got stopped by UK customs and Welsh police while boarding the ferry, which was just routine. Police officer informed me that even though the car is insured by a Irish insurance company, it wont show up on the UK police system. So make sure that your insurance company for an email, so that its on your smartphone.

Hope all this helps.

CiniO

jod1983 wrote: »

Bought a car from Cargiant on the 18 Jan. This is how i got on...

Landed in Heathrow at 9.45am. Got the Heathrow Express train to Paddington station, then took the Bakerloo line Underground to Willesden Junction. From there i walked about 3/4 of a mile to Cargiant. At Cargiant for 10.55.

I had set my mind on 3 cars (as i didnt want to land there and no car available) and lucky i did as they only had one left.

Went into the sales office and asked for the keys of the car. For security they your car keys or passport. I spent nearly a half hour at the car on my own, which i was quiet happy with as i took the opportunity to check the car on the Motorcheck.ie site. The salesman then came out, went through the car with me eg. service history, car specs ect... Then took it for test drive.

Once happy with the car, i was taken to the sales office and had my details taken (you need passport or driving licence plus 2 proofs of address) and then paid a £200 deposit. Cause i was travelling back to Ireland, they told me that i could collect the car at 1.30pm. Then rang my insurance company to transfer policy.

Called back at 1.30 and filled in all the relative forms. I choose to pay by both bankers draft and cash. The car was £6999, so had £6000 bankers draft (made payable to Cargiant Ltd) and £1000 in cash. Once paid i was shown to the car and again shown the controls.
Then headed for Fishguard in Wales, journey took 4 3/4 hours. Got the ferry at 2.45am, in Rosslare for 6.15am and back in Cork for 10.00am.

*Got stopped by UK customs and Welsh police while boarding the ferry, which was just routine. Police officer informed me that even though the car is insured by a Irish insurance company, it wont show up on the UK police system. So make sure that your insurance company for an email, so that its on your smartphone.

Hope all this helps.

Thanks for explaining.
I have few questions if you don't mind.

2 proof of address? What do they need it for? And what kind of proof it might be? All the bills in my house are on my wife's name so I wouldn't have any bills on my name...


Bankers draft - was it issued by Irish bank? Did they accept it without any problems?

So you chose 3 cars and there was only 1 left when you arrive. Is there no way to reserve a car before you actually go?

Irish_Elect_Eng

Very Helpful thread :-)

Are UK cars good value to import at the moment?

nogoodnamesleft

Yamanoto wrote: »

I've been keeping an eye on theses folks on ebay.co.uk

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/carswithnoreserve/m.html

A few recent motors sold include:

Most of the cars listed by that ebay seller are cars from BCA auctions. Even some of the pics are taken at the auction location with auction lot numbers on some of the cars. I would take a with a pinch of salt the description of the history of the vehicle.

jod1983

CiniO wrote: »

Thanks for explaining.
I have few questions if you don't mind.

2 proof of address? What do they need it for? And what kind of proof it might be? All the bills in my house are on my wife's name so I wouldn't have any bills on my name...


Bankers draft - was it issued by Irish bank? Did they accept it without any problems?

So you chose 3 cars and there was only 1 left when you arrive. Is there no way to reserve a car before you actually go?

From what the salesman told me, the 2 proofs of address are for 'fraudulent' reasons. They are very strict with it. Salesman has to call a manager to verify that the 2 proofs are good enough. What i used was, a home phone bill (they do not accept mobile phone bills!!!) and my motor tax renewal form, all dated within the last 3 months. I'd say you would have to bring your wife if you have nothing.

The bankers draft was done by Bank of Ireland here. No problems as long as its made out to Cargiant Ltd.

You can put a hold on a car the evening before but it worth nothing. I did it with a car a few years ago and the car was gone the next day.

The day i was there, the salesman told me that they had over 4900 cars in stock, sell up to 800 a week, 40 going to Ireland and that they also buy in close to 800 a week as well. So a high turn of vehicles, that was i picked 3. You could be lucky and unlucky. I've been there twice and been lucky!!!

sydneybound

jod1983 wrote: »

Called back at 1.30 and filled in all the relative forms. I choose to pay by both bankers draft and cash. The car was £6999, so had £6000 bankers draft (made payable to Cargiant Ltd) and £1000 in cash. Once paid i was shown to the car and again shown the controls.

At cargiant is there much room to haggle? If you mind me asking did you pay up the full amount for get a few pound off? I know their prices are very competitive so maybe there is no chance to really haggle on price.

CiniO

sydneybound wrote: »

At cargiant is there much room to haggle? If you mind me asking did you pay up the full amount for get a few pound off? I know their prices are very competitive so maybe there is no chance to really haggle on price.

No there isn't. Price you see is the price you pay - over.

CiniO

jod1983 wrote: »

From what the salesman told me, the 2 proofs of address are for 'fraudulent' reasons. They are very strict with it. Salesman has to call a manager to verify that the 2 proofs are good enough. What i used was, a home phone bill (they do not accept mobile phone bills!!!) and my motor tax renewal form, all dated within the last 3 months. I'd say you would have to bring your wife if you have nothing.

That doesn't look good.

The bankers draft was done by Bank of Ireland here. No problems as long as its made out to Cargiant Ltd.

You can put a hold on a car the evening before but it worth nothing. I did it with a car a few years ago and the car was gone the next day.

So you can put a car on hold, but it doesn't work? I don't really get it!

The day i was there, the salesman told me that they had over 4900 cars in stock, sell up to 800 a week, 40 going to Ireland and that they also buy in close to 800 a week as well. So a high turn of vehicles, that was i picked 3. You could be lucky and unlucky. I've been there twice and been lucky!!!

Unfortunately there usually have only few of the cars that I'm looking for, and usually not more than 1 which would suit my requirements and price limits.
That's why I'd be looking to go there for a certain car. If I can't have a car reserved and I'd be risking that trip will be void, I'd better find some other place then.

Not good as they really do have competitive prices and good reviews!

Del2005

CiniO wrote: »

So you can put a car on hold, but it doesn't work? I don't really get it!

It's the same as an Irish dealer. You call them up and ask about a car. Say I'll be down tomorrow will you hold it for me? They say yeah, but if a person walks in with the asking price they'll sell it before you arrive as money is money to them.

Only way a dealer will hold a car is with a deposit.

housetypeb

Toying with idea of buying from cargiant myself at the moment as automatic golf match tdi's seem easier to find in England,they seem also on average to have better milage than similar spec cars than the few I find here,and cheaper too.
but the VRT site won't let me imput automatic for some reason,I presume that I'l have to pay extra here for an automatic?

colm_mcm

housetypeb wrote: »

Toying with idea of buying from cargiant myself at the moment as automatic golf match tdi's seem easier to find in England,they seem also on average to have better milage than similar spec cars than the few I find here,and cheaper too.
but the VRT site won't let me imput automatic for some reason,I presume that I'l have to pay extra here for an automatic?

You have to select Golf 1.9D from the dropdown

jod1983

Also try this webpage but be careful the engine type they come up with. They'll give a dropdown menu if its incorrect.
http://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/vrt-calculator/

BigEejit

I live in the UK so it is easier for me but I have bought three cars from cargiant and they have all been spot on. I still have the first car I bought off them 7 years later.
They are almost all ex-fleet cars so will have been serviced more or less on time etc but may show two owners. They also do trade-ins but i don't know if they sell them on themselves or send them off to other companies to sell, most cars are 4 years old or less.

I do know of a workmate who got a crap car off them, but it was his own fault for getting an automatic vauxhall... the thing was nothing but trouble but he flogged it for almost the same amount as he paid for it, but was down overall due to repair costs.

One thing to note is that they often show a car as "new arrived stock in preparation stage" but it might be actually on the lot waiting to be sold. If you spot a car with the spec you want, ring them.

Some cars are in big demand, so they go fast. We were watching for a petrol verso for the missus and one day about 8 of them all disappeared, including one we were looking at.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

I am thinking of going to Cargiant too. Im just wondering, can anyone tell me if I got a mate who lives in London to go down there to put the £200 deposit on a car would they take it on my behalf? Not totally comfortable with the idea of seeing a car on the website only to find they've sold it when I get there. I have a quite specific car in mind and don't want to have to make do with the same car with less extras or in a colour I'm not fond of etc

BigEejit

Dont see why not tbh, worth ringing up and asking. Worst case scenario is that you may need to get your friend to come with you.