General Forum - Going to a small car trader to look at a car. What should I do to make sure everything is OK? - Page 1

I found this place useful:

http://www.hintsandthings.com/garage/buyingacar.htm

Bit of a big list, but a good one.

What car is it, does it have service history MOT's etc

Make sure you see sight of the V5 (log book)

Quote:
kebabhead says...
What car is it, does it have service history MOT's etc

Make sure you see sight of the V5 (log book)Citroen C4.1.4i  16v VTR. 2010 (10) reg.


Thanks miikeyblue82

Had a look at the car today. It looks quite good. The dealer showed us an 'on line' HPI check & all was OK. Are the on line HPI's to be trusted?

Usually I think the HPi checks are ok but get your own one done.
Also get either an AA check or a mechanic you trust to check the vehicle over, it may cost a £100 or so but the peace of mind is well worth it as an extra £100 now could be saving those thousands the car is costing.

If the car IS as good as it seems to be the dealer would have no complaints over an AA or competent mechanic checking it over.

And good luck.

Jimbo : oÞ

"There's that word again... is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull in the future?"

The car has done only 2000 miles & has 15 months manufacturers guarantee left. Normally I would expect a cat C/D but this does not come up. Citroen have an awful lot of info on this car but there is nothing bad about it on their records.

This is where I am unsure. The guy says he bought it off a Finance company & he does not have the V5 document. He said if he requested the V5 document he would be added as the 2nd owner & that is why he does not have it. He has asked us to insure the car & send the insurance document to him with a cheque made payable to the DVLA.

How does this sound to you?

Quote:
Paull says...
The guy says he bought it off a Finance company & he does not have the V5 document. The V5 isn't really as big a thing as most people think as you can get one from DVLA as a replacement but it's £25, I had to do it at the end of last year for my niece for a car the V5 had been lost on.
Then became a bigger headache as it had been on disabled tax too so had to get the V5 sent to me to get it taxed in a DVLA office, and the timeframe meant it hadn't arrived in time for the pickup so we had to pay it for a second time... £50 for two bits of paper

I'd get my own HPi check done independantly to make sure there is nothing outstanding, but I'm very suspicious about things like that when shown by someone else... always want to see it from my own actions as it were.
And just because it has low mileage and still got a warranty wouldn't stop me having it checked over. I made that mistake on my 3rd car and ended up buying a car that I ended up almost rebuilding over the few years I had it with one problem after another.

Remember too that if something has happened, lets say major panel damage that if the owner has had this repaired but never involved an insurance company or dealer then it wouldn't be listed or registered anywhere, even the HPi check wouldn't record that hence I would get someone to check it over.

Hopefully it will come back that it's a nice clean car with low mileage but why he wants you to pay the DVLA is a mystery to me, he should pay for that V5 with his name and be the 2nd owner then have you as the 3rd, if you want to remain as the second owner then I'd haggle him out of the cost or try and split it with him (at the end of the day he should still have it regardless of where it was bought)

So far it sounds like it could either be a genuine sale and situation, or a bit dodgy. Easiest way to set your mind at rest is make the appropriate checks and get the right people to check it out.
Especially on the AA/Mechanic thing...if there is anything untoward I'd expect him to start sweating a bit when you mention it and would set my alarm bells ringing... if he's happy for the check to take place then I'd be feeling more confident and wait for the results.

Again, good luck.

Jimbo : oÞ

"There's that word again... is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull in the future?"

Quote:
Paull says...
Had a look at the car today. It looks quite good. The dealer showed us an 'on line' HPI check & all was OK. Are the on line HPI's to be trusted?HPI won't pick up any repairs not registered through insurance

This item was edited on Friday, 13th January 2012, 11:36

Quote:
kebabhead says...
HPI won't pick up any repairs not registered through insurance
Yes, that did cross our minds. TBH the car shows no sign of repair, all panels fit correct, all paintwork under the bonnet looks as it should be & so on.


Thanks Jimbo for your help.

This item was edited on Friday, 13th January 2012, 13:12