Buying a used car without viewing

comete

Looking to pick something relatively specific up, and there is one for sale with a small used car trader in Tralee. I’m in the northwest and with a young family getting time away to travel down to view is slim. Are there services locally that can do a thorough inspection on my behalf to confirm it’s ok? I suspect I could negotiate delivery into purchase as the trader advertises himself as car sales and recovery.

goochy

CartWright ?? Not that long in business but seem to get good reviews and sell cars all over the place . But buying a car unseen from a small used car dealer is really not advisable

elperello

Don't do it.

Fill the tank, take a road trip and bring another driver.

Del2005

If you buy over the phone or online you've the 14 day cooling off period from distance sales.

So you could buy it, get it delivered and have your mechanic inspect the car. Any issues return under the 14 day cooling off period, you will have to pay to get it returned.

bazz26

In reality you can be sure if the dealer decides he doesn't want to take it back, it will be a battle getting them to eventually do so where it can cost you both time as well as money. Laws and rights are great in theory but in practicality they can end up costing you alot if the other party doesn't agree to it.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120660819#Comment_120660819

I don’t think this is really true because in reality you have the chance to test drive and inspect the car in your driveway the same way you would if you bought it from the showroom. Its not really a distance sale if you test drive and do paperwork in your front garden

I know where he. It's a yard on the side of the road. Been there a while. I wouldn't be buying sight unseen.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120663195#Comment_120663195

When you say “on the side of the road”, where else do you expect a car dealer to be?

phormium

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120663267#Comment_120663267

I know what he means :) This is very 'side of the road', we're not talking nice big fancy garage building with even an entrance driveway as such.

That said the father of the man who now runs the garage there looked after my cars well for over 30 yrs, nicest most honest man you could meet. I'm not sure though if the son is actually selling the cars or it's some other provider using the same yard as there is another outlet selling cars few miles out the road with same name.

You could try get another small time mechanic locally to look at it maybe, the guy I'd recommend isn't available at the moment! 🙄

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120661513#Comment_120661513

Distance sales are anything done online or by phone. When the item is delivered you get to try it and it can be returned for no reason once it's saleable.

Very few garages will send a car across the country for a test drive. They will ship your new car to you though and that's where your distance sales rights come into play.

goochy

Is it definitely CartWright ?