Car buying in liverpool

Ladyinthedark

Hi is there anyone with any advice in buying a car from Liverpool or someone that has bought a car from there.all advice welcome,also could someone tell me if I was to drive it back which way and how is th best way to do it ,also when do I pay the vrt .i realise there's loads of different threads on these matters but I'd like to get it all in this thread if that's okay by the modulators thanks

punisher5112

Quite simple.

Do all car checks and make sure no finance, mileage correct and so on.

Get a flight booked over and arrange a pick up if they can which I find a lot will.

Book your boat back and give plenty of time.

Plan route and use sat Navy if like me wouldn't know routes to well.

Vrt has to be booked within 7 days and done within 30 unless stated otherwise.
Insurance is a must oh and while in the UK you must tax the car also so see can seller do for you or help you with that part.

Ladyinthedark

punisher5112 wrote: »

Quite simple.

Do all car checks and make sure no finance, mileage correct and so on.

Get a flight booked over and arrange a pick up if they can which I find a lot will.

Book your boat back and give plenty of time.

Plan route and use sat Navy if like me wouldn't know routes to well.

Vrt has to be booked within 7 days and done within 30 unless stated otherwise.
Insurance is a must oh and while in the UK you must tax the car also so see can seller do for you or help you with that part.

Could I ring a garage and ask the seller to send it there il pay of course or how do you get someone to check the mileage

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

Could I ring a garage and ask the seller to send it there il pay of course or how do you get someone to check the mileage

Do you mean have car delivered?

If yes there are companies that do this.

Even some dealers will arrange at a cost of course.

Example pick car, get what you want and decent price you are happy with then do a hpi check.

If you are buying by not going to see it ask for more photos and a video of outside and in and be honest to them you are happy once they tell you if there are any marks or issues. Get them to be upfront.

Ladyinthedark

punisher5112 wrote: »

Do you mean have car delivered?

If yes there are companies that do this.

Even some dealers will arrange at a cost of course.

Example pick car, get what you want and decent price you are happy with then do a hpi check.

If you are buying by not going to see it ask for more photos and a video of outside and in and be honest to them you are happy once they tell you if there are any marks or issues. Get them to be upfront.

No I ment a mechanic checking the mileage will it need to go to a garage to do that or can a mechanic check that if I rang him on the day

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

No I ment a mechanic checking the mileage will it need to go to a garage to do that or can a mechanic check that if I rang him on the day

Are you buying private or garage?

Do all checks online and if has mot done previous there is a record and can be checked for free using UK mot check

Ladyinthedark

punisher5112 wrote: »

Are you buying private or garage?

Do all checks online and if has mot done previous there is a record and can be checked for free using UK mot check

I'm buying privately .im worried about getting lost on the journey home .il explain if I buy from his house and I ring the insurance and have the tax sorted which ferry is the best and closest to use if I time it right ,finding the times of sailings difficult

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

I'm buying privately .im worried about getting lost on the journey home .il explain if I buy from his house and I ring the insurance and have the tax sorted which ferry is the best and closest to use if I time it right ,finding the times of sailings difficult

I would suggest getting a proper check done by likes of rac or AA or similar especially if the car is worth a lot.

Want to give some details of car and what it is and where exactly.

Ladyinthedark

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would suggest getting a proper check done by likes of rac or AA or similar especially if the car is worth a lot.

Want to give some details of car and what it is and where exactly.

It's an Audi A3 in Liverpool

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

It's an Audi A3 in Liverpool

Stick to motorway and book boat go from there.

If all checks out of course.

Diesel or petrol and year? If diesel make sure you are doing the mileage to warrant having one and also check out if proper service record.

Call garage its been serviced at.

3 the square

I'm planning on going over to buy a 151 kia carens shortly
If a person is buying a kia approved car is it necessary to have it check over by rac ??
Or is it a waste of money would ye think??

Galway_guy_33

Do you know the person selling this car??

id be very careful buying a car privately.... id only buy from a reputable business if i were you.... least you have some back up should things go wrong.

I've bought a few cars from various dealerships in and around the london area and its not all that difficult just make sure you have an up to date sat nav... if you are travelling a large distance an overnight stop off can be a good idea... i normally stop of in Chester.

NIMAN

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would suggest getting a proper check done by likes of rac or AA or similar especially if the car is worth a lot.
.

I would suggest this is the best advice to begin with.

If you spending any sort of decent money on a private sale, it will pay for itself in piece of mind.

Links to RAC and AA vehicle inspections.
http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections

https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection/#/mini-details

Also, try to follow up with garage(s) that have stamped the service book, to make sure they genuinely did them ok.

Would also agree about being extra careful on private sales, there can be a lot of cars out there with hidden histories. Just bear it in mind. Most people are wary about spending big money on private sales for a reason, there is zero comeback once you drive off in that car. Its buyers beware. At least if you buy from a dealer, you might have some sort of comeback. Obviously the bigger the dealer the better, but unfortunately that usually comes with higher costs.

Ladyinthedark

Galway_guy_33 wrote: »

Do you know the person selling this car??

id be very careful buying a car privately.... id only buy from a reputable business if i were you.... least you have some back up should things go wrong.

I've bought a few cars from various dealerships in and around the london area and its not all that difficult just make sure you have an up to date sat nav... if you are travelling a large distance an overnight stop off can be a good idea... i normally stop of in Chester.

Thanks il double check everything .is it cheaper to book the ferry online or can u pay as u get on

Ladyinthedark

NIMAN wrote: »

I would suggest this is the best advice to begin with.

If you spending any sort of decent money on a private sale, it will pay for itself in piece of mind.

Links to RAC and AA vehicle inspections.
http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections

https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection/#/mini-details

Also, try to follow up with garage(s) that have stamped the service book, to make sure they genuinely did them ok.

Would also agree about being extra careful on private sales, there can be a lot of cars out there with hidden histories. Just bear it in mind. Most people are wary about spending big money on private sales for a reason, there is zero comeback once you drive off in that car. Its buyers beware. At least if you buy from a dealer, you might have some sort of comeback. Obviously the bigger the dealer the better, but unfortunately that usually comes with higher costs.

Is it normal fir private sellers to cover the license plate

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

Is it normal fir private sellers to cover the license plate

A lot do as they feel their car can be cloned as its easier to search the net for a gold car same model and clone the reg.


It does be cheaper to buy boat ticket online mostly and also if you happen to miss a sailing they will usually accommodate on another sailing for a small fee.

If you are not sure of cars get it checked buying private should save some extra£££ but like anything be wary as there are so many cons and scams going on.

If you have a link of car but don't want to advertise to other send me a link I can have a look over and give some advice if you like.

punisher5112

3 the square wrote: »

I'm planning on going over to buy a 151 kia carens shortly
If a person is buying a kia approved car is it necessary to have it check over by rac ??
Or is it a waste of money would ye think??

Up to you but here if sold by a garage doesn't necessarily mean its a good buy.

Ladyinthedark

punisher5112 wrote: »

A lot do as they feel their car can be cloned as its easier to search the net for a gold car same model and clone the reg.


It does be cheaper to buy boat ticket online mostly and also if you happen to miss a sailing they will usually accommodate on another sailing for a small fee.

If you are not sure of cars get it checked buying private should save some extra£££ but like anything be wary as there are so many cons and scams going on.

If you have a link of car but don't want to advertise to other send me a link I can have a look over and give some advice if you like.

Thanks il do that thanks

NIMAN

A lot cover the licence plate ok, apparently many are afraid of getting their reg cloned.

But I would contact any seller and ask for the reg so you can run a history check. If they refuse to give it to you, I'd look elsewhere.

As for the ferry, not 100% on this, but think you have to have it prebooked, you can't just pull up to the port and pay there and then, but I might be wrong.

handofdog

Check out Boards.ie: Recent UK import - step by step - http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057627507

The first post is very informative.

punisher5112

NIMAN wrote: »

A lot cover the licence plate ok, apparently many are afraid of getting their reg cloned.

But I would contact any seller and ask for the reg so you can run a history check. If they refuse to give it to you, I'd look elsewhere.

As for the ferry, not 100% on this, but think you have to have it prebooked, you can't just pull up to the port and pay there and then, but I might be wrong.

Issue would arise if were fully booked.

Ladyinthedark

When I'm on the ferry does anyone know what happens when ur driving off,as in can they stop you and ask you to pay the vrt or should I pay when I buy the car

CiniO

NIMAN wrote: »

As for the ferry, not 100% on this, but think you have to have it prebooked, you can't just pull up to the port and pay there and then, but I might be wrong.

You can just show up in the port and buy a ticket right there.
Unless it's really high season like just before Christmas, Easter, or some big event, chances of ferry having no space for a car are slim.
Also in me experience it doesn't cost much more than booking online, so might not be a bad idea not to book in advance for someone not sure about the car.

For me best way of buying in UK is to find a car reasonably close to one of the airports, find a cheap flight there for the morning, and return flight for the evening. Again - if outside peak season sometimes you can get a return flight for €20 if booking few days in advance.
Fly there, have a look at the car - if I like it, then buy it, drive it to the port and take a first ferry. If I don't like it, go back to the airport and fly back in the evening.

Ladyinthedark

CiniO wrote: »

You can just show up in the port and buy a ticket right there.
Unless it's really high season like just before Christmas, Easter, or some big event, chances of ferry having no space for a car are slim.
Also in me experience it doesn't cost much more than booking online, so might not be a bad idea not to book in advance for someone not sure about the car.

For me best way of buying in UK is to find a car reasonably close to one of the airports, find a cheap flight there for the morning, and return flight for the evening. Again - if outside peak season sometimes you can get a return flight for €20 if booking few days in advance.
Fly there, have a look at the car - if I like it, then buy it, drive it to the port and take a first ferry. If I don't like it, go back to the airport and fly back in the evening.

That's very good idea thanks

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

When I'm on the ferry does anyone know what happens when ur driving off,as in can they stop you and ask you to pay the vrt or should I pay when I buy the car

No they won't make you pay and you can't pay before nct has inspected vehicle.

I would suggest you get some help with this as you don't seem to know anything and sorry for saying that its not to sound like a put down.

You shouldnt run into this and spend a few weeks to scope things out and get use to looking at cars.

What are you actually saving and have you even checked how much the vrt will be?? If not go onto revenue.ie and go to calculate vrt.

Even if you get a price they very often add on extras for metallic, Elec Windows, leather and so on.

Have you looked closer to home up north???


If you don't know your cars buying here would be best if a deal can be done, buy up north if you can but still get checked out and if over the water might be best for you to get car shipped by a genuine shipping or transport company after all checks have been done.

NIMAN

OP, do you know the reg of the car? If not, once you get it, put it into this with the mileage on the car and you will get a fairly accurate idea of how much you will owe for VRT once the car is inspected

https://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/vrt-calculator/

Henry Ford III

I wouldn't travel to see just one car. I'd want say 3 possibilities lined up. If the first one doesn't come up to expectations move on to the 2nd.....

spyderski

Agree with Punisher above. Liverpool is an hour from Holyhead. There's no other (sensible) ferry you would even consider taking back to Ireland. That is, quite literally, the last thing you should be worried about, and it would concern me if you feel that is an issue.

IMO the potential downsides for an uninitiated and naive buyer purchasing a used car privately in the UK will almost certainly outweigh any cost saving you might make, unless its a very expensive or rare vehicle.

There are plenty of reputable dealers in Ireland who will source a car in the UK for you, you will pay more for the car, but a lot less than you risk losing if you make a bad purchase in the UK.

Ladyinthedark

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I wouldn't travel to see just one car. I'd want say 3 possibilities lined up. If the first one doesn't come up to expectations move on to the 2nd.....

That's a good idea too thanks

Ladyinthedark

Is there problems insuring an English reg car here when I sign the forms in England,what do I say to them the insurance company

punisher5112

Ladyinthedark wrote: »

Is there problems insuring an English reg car here when I sign the forms in England,what do I say to them the insurance company

That's up to you to check with your own insurer some won't and most will but only for a short period to cover up until you get vrt and Irish plates on.

aerofoiled

The whole process is as easy or as complicated as you make it. The logistics of getting to and from Liverpool should be the least of your worries, but it's easy to get to and about a 2 hour run to Holyhead.

As already mentioned, make sure to get all the information you can on the car. Any reasonable seller should be prepared to email you copies of the registration document (V5c), MOTs and service history etc. Verify all of this through the servicing garage, HPI check and also through these government websites:

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla


Make sure you also speak with the seller! If they sound genuine and they can back up everything they tell you with documentation, then your risk is greatly reduced.
I always buy the seller as much as the car - if you have any doubts, don't even make the trip.

marklazarcovic

you can sail direct from liverpool to dublin with p@o ferries ,long trip though. there are companies here that will collect your car (they do lorrys full every week) and deliver it to you .. ads on done deal, i know a fella who uses it fairly regular,not high end cars,more 4-6k ones . he lives in a housing estate and the artic car transporter drives in,unloads car on main strip,and he brings it down the last few hundred feet.

ScouseMouse

P and O ferries and also seatruck. It can be 8 or 9 hours against a drive to Holyhead and then a 3 1/2 hour ferry, its up to you.

Due to the long sailing time from Liverpool, the day sailings are particularly cheap. These are generally cargo ships so are basic but I believe these sailings also include your grub.

https://seatruck.freight2ferry.co.uk/

http://www.poferries.com/en/liverpool-dublin