Buying privately
Many people choose the private route when buying a vehicle. The major benefit when choosing this option is that prices are generally better.
If you choose to buy a vehicle privately, you need to be aware that you have fewer legal rights than you do when buying a vehicle through a dealer and the standard checks that a dealer would normally do aren't necessarily performed by a private seller.
Buying privately can appear daunting for some, but as long as you perform the right checks, buying a vehicle privately can be both satisfying and rewarding, it just takes a little more work. The first stage of the process is conducted over the phone.
Questions you should ask include:
- How long have they owned the vehicle?
- Have they owned it from new?
- If not, how many previous owners might there have been?
- Why are they selling it?
- What is the mileage?
- What features does the vehicle have?
- In their opinion, what sort of condition is the vehicle in?
- Is there any outstanding finance or hire purchase agreement?
- Has it been involved in any accidents, and if so, which parts were damaged?
- Where was it repaired?
- Have they replaced anything on it recently?
- Has it been modified in any way?
- Are the repairs guaranteed?
- Is there any kind of factory warranty still available on the vehicle?
- Does it have a full service history?
- Where and when was the vehicle last serviced?