Buying a used car

This page is no longer updated, and is the old forum. For new topics visit the New HOL forum.

Buying a used car

Previous Topic | Next Topic

IMpalace London 29 Aug 20 2.00pm
Some advice please! Have only bought one car in my life, . it was 8 years old and cost 3k. It wasn't great but was what I needed, the buying process was uncomplicated. This car is a lot nicer (and a lot more expensive), keen to make sure I go into the buying process educated! I'm buying from an approved dealer. Few questions: 1) Have dug around and price looks fair vs. other cars of the same model with similar mileage. How far/willing are approved dealers generally willing to negotiate on list price for used cars? Any used car salesman on here with a view? 2) The vehicle hasn't been taxed since March 2020 i.e. presumably they've been trying to sell it for a few months. Should I be concerned (in particular is a car sat unused for 5 months an issue?) 3) Anything else key to check when buying a used car? Have been googling but nothing quite like HOL advice! Cheers
Alert a moderator to this post

IMpalace

London 29 Aug 20 2.00pm

Some advice please! Have only bought one car in my life, . it was 8 years old and cost 3k. It wasn't great but was what I needed, the buying process was uncomplicated. This car is a lot nicer (and a lot more expensive), keen to make sure I go into the buying process educated!

I'm buying from an approved dealer. Few questions:

1) Have dug around and price looks fair vs. other cars of the same model with similar mileage. How far/willing are approved dealers generally willing to negotiate on list price for used cars? Any used car salesman on here with a view?

2) The vehicle hasn't been taxed since March 2020 i.e. presumably they've been trying to sell it for a few months. Should I be concerned (in particular is a car sat unused for 5 months an issue?)

3) Anything else key to check when buying a used car?

Have been googling but nothing quite like HOL advice!

Cheers

Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 2.46pm
Buying from a dealer gives you some kind of limited Warranty. Whereas buying from a private seller , is Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) Check Glass's Guide as the industry number 1 price guide for used cars. Car Dealers have been hit hard recently, so don't be afraid to haggle. If there is no movement on price, suggest the vehicle comes with a brand new MOT, full tank of fuel, a free service or whatever. And just be nice to the salesperson. A smile and a friendly manner can get you more than adopting a combative approach. Let us know how you get on I disengage, I turn the page.
Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly

in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 2.46pm

Send a Private Message to Forest Hillbilly

Buying from a dealer gives you some kind of limited Warranty. Whereas buying from a private seller , is Caveat Emptor (buyer beware)
Check Glass's Guide as the industry number 1 price guide for used cars.
Car Dealers have been hit hard recently, so don't be afraid to haggle. If there is no movement on price, suggest the vehicle comes with a brand new MOT, full tank of fuel, a free service or whatever.

And just be nice to the salesperson. A smile and a friendly manner can get you more than adopting a combative approach.

Let us know how you get on

I disengage, I turn the page.

Alert a moderator to this post

Eden Eagle Kent 29 Aug 20 4.27pm
Not sure how old the car is that you are looking at but I would also check the MOT history online to see whether there have been any issues and also to get a feel as to whether the mileage is genuine or not.
Alert a moderator to this post

Eden Eagle

Kent 29 Aug 20 4.27pm

Not sure how old the car is that you are looking at but I would also check the MOT history online to see whether there have been any issues and also to get a feel as to whether the mileage is genuine or not.

Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 4.39pm
Originally posted by Eden Eagle Not sure how old the car is that you are looking at but I would also check the MOT history online to see whether there have been any issues and also to get a feel as to whether the mileage is genuine or not. Just leading from Eden, all MOT mileages are checked for continuity. A brand new MOT is the best solution (and get a service done too), but also as commercial sellers of vehicles (in addition to the Warranty) they are also liable if the vehicle is deemed un-roadworthy (Obviously there is a time-frame from sale). Best of luck Edited by Forest Hillbilly (29 Aug 2020 4.40pm) I disengage, I turn the page.
Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly

in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 4.39pm

Originally posted by Eden Eagle

Just leading from Eden, all MOT mileages are checked for continuity.
A brand new MOT is the best solution (and get a service done too), but also as commercial sellers of vehicles (in addition to the Warranty) they are also liable if the vehicle is deemed un-roadworthy (Obviously there is a time-frame from sale).

Best of luck

Edited by Forest Hillbilly (29 Aug 2020 4.40pm)

I disengage, I turn the page.

Alert a moderator to this post

ASCPFC Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 29 Aug 20 5.09pm
Do that registration check for stolen, write offs etc. Can happen and only a small cost for peace of mind. Red and Blue Army!
Alert a moderator to this post

ASCPFC

Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 29 Aug 20 5.09pm

Do that registration check for stolen, write offs etc. Can happen and only a small cost for peace of mind.

Red and Blue Army!

Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 5.25pm
Originally posted by ASCPFC Do that registration check for stolen, write offs etc. Can happen and only a small cost for peace of mind. No need if bought from a commercial seller. The emphasis is totally on the seller to prove the vehicle's credentials I disengage, I turn the page.
Alert a moderator to this post

Forest Hillbilly

in a hidey-hole 29 Aug 20 5.25pm

Originally posted by ASCPFC

Do that registration check for stolen, write offs etc. Can happen and only a small cost for peace of mind.

No need if bought from a commercial seller. The emphasis is totally on the seller to prove the vehicle's credentials

I disengage, I turn the page.

Alert a moderator to this post

PalazioVecchio south pole 29 Aug 20 5.34pm
google the name of the car dealership and see what kind of reviews customers have given them. there will always be one or two sour grapes.....but broadly the recent reviews will indicate their recent performances. the internet has tons of guides to buying a second hand car. Also guides to negotiation and haggling. Certainly avoid any credit or Hire Purchase crap. buy up front to get the best deal. when u test drive the car, do not warn the seller of your impending arrival. Otherwise he will warm up the engine 20 minutes earlier. a good paper service history is very valuable. Red Flags to avoid : worn seat belts or very worn rubber on the pedals. Worn drivers seat. Mismatching seats fabric. the hole which carries the spare wheel can tell you if there has ever been a prang....mis-shapen hole...walk away. do not buy from a charlton supporter.....clown's cars are not legal on the roads. only buy a French car if you wish to visit your mechanic every week. japanese or german are the best cars. Edited by PalazioVecchio (29 Aug 2020 5.37pm) Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford
Alert a moderator to this post

PalazioVecchio

south pole 29 Aug 20 5.34pm

Send a Private Message to PalazioVecchio

google the name of the car dealership and see what kind of reviews customers have given them.

there will always be one or two sour grapes.....but broadly the recent reviews will indicate their recent performances.

the internet has tons of guides to buying a second hand car. Also guides to negotiation and haggling.

Certainly avoid any credit or Hire Purchase crap.

buy up front to get the best deal.

when u test drive the car, do not warn the seller of your impending arrival. Otherwise he will warm up the engine 20 minutes earlier.

a good paper service history is very valuable.

Red Flags to avoid :
worn seat belts or very worn rubber on the pedals.

Worn drivers seat.

Mismatching seats fabric.

the hole which carries the spare wheel can tell you if there has ever been a prang....mis-shapen hole...walk away.

do not buy from a charlton supporter.....clown's cars are not legal on the roads.

only buy a French car if you wish to visit your mechanic every week.

japanese or german are the best cars.

Edited by PalazioVecchio (29 Aug 2020 5.37pm)

Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford

Alert a moderator to this post

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Crystal Palace FC Supporters' Website - The Holmesdale Online

Buying a used car

Site Map

New users

Existing users

Sponsors