[jinjur]

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a new car blind on eBay (I know, mental) but before I did I used a text based car check to quickly check the history which came back clean.

Now, I think I'd like to do a full check before I even arrange flights to go and pay/collect the car but have no idea which is best or even if there is any point after the text check.


Any advice or recommendations?

Also, I'm new to this buying car lark (really) so would appreciate any advice on conducting the deal to protect myself. How to pay etc?


At the end of the day, I'll take a feedback hit if I'm
not happy the car looks as mint ad the pics or if I don't believe it was as described (unless a deal
Is done).

Nerve wracking this nonsense.

Lol.

Cheers
Andy

[pjs]

Originally Posted by jinjur

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a new car blind on eBay (I know, mental) but before I did I used a text based car check to quickly check the history which came back clean.

Now, I think I'd like to do a full check before I even arrange flights to go and pay/collect the car but have no idea which is best or even if there is any point after the text check.


Any advice or recommendations?

Also, I'm new to this buying car lark (really) so would appreciate any advice on conducting the deal to protect myself. How to pay etc?


At the end of the day, I'll take a feedback hit if I'm
not happy the car looks as mint ad the pics or if I don't believe it was as described (unless a deal
Is done).

Nerve wracking this nonsense.

Lol.

Cheers
Andy

Blimey. How much have you spent ? It will probably dictate the answer.

[jinjur]

Three grand mate

*Bricking it*

lol

[rabble]

can you provide a link to the ebay listing or item number?

If its £3k, then cash shouldnt be too much of a problem. You can also ask the seller if hed accept a bank transfer so once your satisfied, you can send over the money via internet banking at his house.

Where does the seller live?

[jinjur]

Seller lives in Stevenage.............

Not sure about sticking the listing number up yet chap till I speak to the guy.

Id also rather not transfer one penny till i see it.

When i sold mine I drove to the bank and stood with the guy while the money was transferred. He then took the car...

I like that idea

Jj

[NFS]

Originally Posted by jinjur

Id also rather not transfer one penny till i see it.

Absolutely right. Pay with cash or a bankers draft on the day IF you are 100% happy with the car.

[kend]

Do not forget that you have entered into a legally binding contract to buy - only get out is if the car is not as described.
pay by cash after you have viewed the car

[M3-FAST]

I have sold a few cars on ebay and also bought my missus Seat Leon FR on there (£8k at the time) - not had a bad experience yet.

You can normally 'sense' when the deal is right. The car will be well described with bad points as well as good. Photographs will be good quality and again, often show the bad points, for example if it has a scuff or scrape.

Importantly as well, I would be looking for a seller with trusted feedback, etc - he will not want to damage his feedback as much as you dont want to damage yours!

As long as the car is as described, then surely you will want to buy it?

If the car is NOT as described, then you have a right to cancel the deal properly though ebay and walk away! He will get his selling fees refunded if that happened also.

The seller can not leave bad feedback for a buyer, so you are pretty safe in this respect. One of ebays stupid rules IMO, as a seller can get totally shafted by a poor buyer and can't leave any comments as such)

I would just take the 3k in cash along with a print out of the auction. Check everything matches with the description, and also check the usual things (V5/VIN/owners details, etc...) - if your happy buy the car and enjoy it!

There are LOTS of good sellers on ebay, and it is only the very few bad ones that give it a poor reputation.

EDIT - Just seen the car ad - look like a bargain IMO! The only downside for e would be the lost key as there is only one supplied? The car is well photographed and more importantly, he has sold 13 cars with excellent feedback except for one that was sold for spares or repair at £500 with 295k miles on the clock - what would anyone expect when buying that, lol

I would be happy buying a car off that chap

[ghosty]

nothing wrong with buying a car off ebay, i was considering selling my old car on there. its not like you dont go to see it and pay for it before you go to pick it up or anything. you still get to make the choice on the day.

if its 3k then just take the money with you. not exacly sure how banks work with how much cash you can withdraw over the counter in a day without advance notice, and plus you'll be using the banks over here so need to get to one during opening hours etc

[jinjur]

Cheers for the good vibes guys.

Everything is set in motion apart from getting the cash which ill worry about tomorrow. Flying out on Friday morning.

Yeah, it seems a good car and the key is definately the down point.

I also know that the car will need a timing belt in about 10k and this is classed as a £500 dealer job......but when has that ever stopped me having a go

That was potentially putting Jo public off.

Well.....heres hoping the car is as described as it seems lovely.

Good point on bringing the ad printout......never though of that. lol

Fingers crossed.

[rsmallwo]

post up the ebay listing, its not going to harm you in anyway

[jinjur]

here

Jj

[ghosty]

we're a nosey bunch

looks nice, clean and tidy. very low mileage for a 53, has hardly been driven at all! that would be the only thing i'd be suspicious off..

[jinjur]

Thats what I was worrying about, not sure how i can check the mileage though?

Jj

[ghosty]

you should get a good idea straight away from the interior and exterior wear and tear of the car if its only done that mileage, and by the way it drives when you see it. i say go with your instinct if there is no paper work to back up the mileage

[jinjur]

Well.....its mot'd till 2011 so id like to see the documentation on that.

Over here in NI the mileage is recorded.

Also.with the apparent FSH, it should have some info in there.


Regards
JJ

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by jinjur

Thats what I was worrying about, not sure how i can check the mileage though?

Jj

It has been a one owner car with full history - with one owner driving it I would expect the mileage to be pretty consistent year on year - it has FSH included - looks to have been done every 12/13k miles ish if the last one was done at 39k

Seems a good buy to me - might be worth calling the last owner and trying to trace that 'lost' key though!

[jinjur]

The text check has shown only 2 owners too

[ghosty]

Originally Posted by jinjur

Well.....its mot'd till 2011 so id like to see the documentation on that.
Over here in NI the mileage is recorded.
Also.with the apparent FSH, it should have some info in there.
Regards
JJ

the mileage is also recorded in the MOT's over here too now. i know my last few were. so remember to check them also

[jinjur]

Good points M3 and Ghosty.......will try and source the key and ill have a good rummage through the paperwork.




Im excited now

Hope i dont get disappointed.



Looking forward to drive up to stranraer too....never done a run like that before



Andy

[M3-FAST]

Jinj, it will all be fine matey, dont worry

At the end of the day if your not happy, walk away. If it turns out to not be quite right after you have brought it, stick it back in the autotrader or chuck it back on ebay - the most you will lose is a few hundred quid on flights etc, you may even make a few quid!

It's not as though it's a 30k car that could lose you thousands

Get them flights booked and enjoy your drive home in it

Dont forget to pack a good CD

[jinjur]

Cheers chap....

On a sidenote, I saw the finished result that is your car.

Exquisite mate, absolutely exquisite.



JJ