Is it a bad idea to buy a second hand car from a non-local dealer?

hyperrjd

Hi all,

I'm a first time buyer looking to buy a 2017 megane, my budget is 13,000 max, but as I'm in mullingar there is no garages in the area that have any within my budget. I found one there last week from a garage that family members had bought multiple cars off previously but I was a day too late unfortunately. I'm aware that garages don't always list every car that they have in their inventory and I've been ringing around but have had no luck. There is a few dotted around within 100km, but I've been advised not to buy from garages that aren't in and around mullingar for various reasons such as: warranty, no knowledge on the garage etc..

I'm contemplating waiting until the 242s start selling and hoping somebody trades one in, or possibly looking into getting one sourced for me as theres one or two garages that offer that near enough to me. But I dont know of anyone whos had any experience on getting a car sourced for them or what the costs involved are and if its even worth it.

I just thought I'd ask for a bit of advice on the situation as I'm currently paying back a car loan with no car to show for it since the other one I was looking at fell through.

Of course I understand google reviews exist, but as there not personal accounts from people I know I'd feel bit uneasy going off just google reviews.

I hope I'm not coming across as a bit of a muppet, its my first time buying a car so I've no real experience with this sort of stuff.

Any replies or advice is greatly appreciated.

freshpopcorn

Can I ask why are you set on a Megane?

Also, have you a full license?

User1998

The only issue with buying a car from a garage that is far from where you are based is that its usually your responsibility to bring the car back to the dealer for warranty work. If the warranty is with a 3rd party company they usually have repair workshops scattered around the country.

goochy

If you only buy in mullingar your choice will be very limited - so you either find a local dealer and buy something that suits or if you definitely want a megane search say a 100 km area and have much choice

Oscar_Madison

Leaving aside the reputation of the dealer for a minute, any secondhand car can and often does acquire faults post purchase - in a dealer situation, you’re paying a few thousand more for some form of “peace of mind” - in reality, this peace of mind could be short lived as the dealer may not deliver what’s promised by the guarantee.

Secondly, if there is an issue, you’ll have to get the car back to them and it doesn’t sound like that will be straightforward- they’ll keep the car possibly for a number of days so what will you do then?

Even if the dealer is the best ever dealer there ever was, the practicalities of returning the car will place you in even more difficulty, if something goes wrong.

If you’re totally fixed on a Meaghan, then go the private sale route- follow the guidance outlined in one of the threads here about buying secondhand or seriously, consider bringing someone along who knows a bit about car buying- and let them negotiate too.

Finally, if you’re set on buying from a dealer, go along to the local dealers and explore what they have in stock- you might be surprised that you’ll like some of the cars there- there are other cars that will do the job of a Megane much better and for similar money.

hoodie6029

The best advice is the bring someone along with who knows cars and can spot any red flags for you.
While not foolproof, I’ve bought cars from dealers that were not nearby to me and I’ve just made sure that the car has a long NCT and it’s served me well.

This is an old thread but a good one full of buying advice. Keep asking questions here too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2056198864/buying-a-used-car-in-ireland-guide

shane b

Id also wonder on why youve narrowed down your search to 1 car model. If you really like the megane thats fine. I worked with a guy years ago who would only buy a Ford focus. All his family drove Fords though.

I wouldnt be too concerned about buying from a non-local dealer, but do consider how you cope if the car has to go back to the dealer for warranty work. If your lucky the car may not need any warranty follow ups.

We bought a car last year from a dealer about an hour away fom home, and its been back twice for warranty work. Once because the stop-start stopped working and once for a leaking radiator. Both times Ive had to take a day off work to bring the car to the garage. Doesnt sound like a big thing but an inconvienence for us with childcare, work, school etc

Is it just me being pessimistic but I never even count when buying a used car that a dealer will fix anything if it goes bad, I just assume that's the risk of buying a used car that I have to accept so I buy very low mileage cars to try and lower the chance of issues. I bought my car last year and didn't even ask them about any sort of guarantee.

In this case given the money involved I would definitely be buying private ideally looking for a low mileage car with full service history.

goochy

i wouldnt say the choice of cars privately is great - 2017 is still fairly recent.

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122248755#Comment_122248755

I've looked around at a few hatchbacks, I was originally going for a mazda 3 but I was told to stay well clear of the diesel ones, and havent been able to find any petrols less than 2L, megane looks nice has a nice interior, is well priced for a new enough car adn seems decently reliable from what I've heard while also having good economy, and yeah ive a full licence, I'll have had a full licence for 3 years at the end of this month.

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249190#Comment_122249190

Yeah this is the main thing I'm worried about, it seems as if a lot of warrantys cover **** all anyways but still should something go wrong I dont want to have to have to tow the car to all sorts just to get it fixed. I had a chat with a garage who offered car simple but If i remember correctly was charging me an extra 700+ for two years cover which only covered 25% of the costs of whatever was wrong which I felt was a bit of a waste of time and money if Im paying 700 and then getting **** all off the price of repairs

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249233#Comment_122249233

Yeah this is it to be honest this is the dilemma for being picky

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249236#Comment_122249236

Yeah one of my best mates is a mechanic and has said he has no problem going with me to have a look which I have no problem buying private, as its cheaper etc. I've just had my whole family at my neck about going to a garage and since the car i'll be buying is 10k plus they don't want to risk going private, which I can understand, but it's fairly frustrating as i've seen so many that I would love to buy come and go privately in the time I've spent searching. Could there be any reason as to why somebody might be selling a car that is relativly new and not trading it in? This is something that ive thought about aswell surely they would just trade it in if there was no problems with it, providing they arent moving abroad etc

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122249248#Comment_122249248

Thanks very much lad, I actually havent seen this yet, I'd be bringing one of my best mates whos a mechanic with me anyways but ill have a look on here to see what else i can pick up

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122250655#Comment_122250655

On your last point its the exact opposite. Most people are half decent and wouldn’t sell a car with major issues to a member of the public whereas they’d have no problem trading it in because its the garages job to fix cars and sell them on. Obviously you get some bad eggs who purposely or unknowingly sell their car privately with major issues but if you have a friend who is a mechanic and is willing to come with you to inspect the car then you would be mad not to buy privately and save yourself potentially thousands of euro.

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122250697#Comment_122250697

Thats actually a very good point, I never thought of that. I just assume they arent going to see me again so its my word against theres sort of way. Surely garages can turn away a trade in if its not in great condition though no? thats the only reason i thought that it might be safer cause they might not take in cars that have a lot of issues.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122250715#Comment_122250715

Well either way you have absolutely no rights or recourse buying privately. If someone sells you a dodgy car its on you. But having a mechanic with you will decrease the likelihood of that happening.

Dealers can refuse any trade in for any number of reasons but their probably not going to, and they don’t really inspect the cars much. Whereas a private seller will give the car a good look over and just walk away and buy another car if there are issues with it.

saabsaab

I don't think so. Just have someone along who knows about cars and what to look out for if you don't yourself. More choice and perhaps better value if you are willing to travel a bit.

hyperrjd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122250733#Comment_122250733

Yeah 100%, see my family members have bought privately but never had experience buying off somebody they dont know, which is the issue I'm having at the moment. Anyone else who I've asked that have bought off someone they dont know havent had any detrimental or serious issues with the cars they have bought. Now thats not to say I cant and wont have issues, but again my mate is a mechanic and has no problem coming with me to have a look.

Realistically the chances of having something happen to the car within the usual 6 months warranty from what it seems are slim enough, thats only including what is covered on the warranty which from what I've seen is usually just engine and gearbox which has me questioning whether a warranty is even worth it on a car thats not that old and has not a crazy amount of mileage. I'll have a chat to them later anyways and see what the story is, at the end of the day it is my decision, but I also feel like i've to respect the fact they want to look out for me, even if they have no experience buying privately from an stranger themselves.

goochy

as said i dont think you will find many 2017 cars privately - most used car dealers are ok - best to go looking then if you find a car you like - ask on here about dealer and look at online reviews .

i live in cork and see loads of s/ hand cars bought nationwide down here - as far as Donegal - most car dealers these days are good as its very easy to go online and post bad experiences . some used car dealers are washing money and would not be good operators but these are not the norm

Montage of Feck

Apparently you have a 14 day cooling off period and full refund, for online or distance sales.