Buying used car by phone / e-mail

Anyone ever bought a car ‘unseen’ ie via the internet / phone / e-mail?

I’m looking at one that’s available through Skoda’s ‘Used Approved Dealer’, which means it comes with 12 month’s warranty, a vehicle check (equivalent to RAC check), 12 months MOT, equivalent to a HPI check, 12 months RAC breakdwon cover, and a 30 day exchange option.

It’s quite a distance away, and I can’t take the time to go to see it in person, and they offer a UK-wide delivery service. To be honest I wouldn’t know enough to do anything other than a visual check if I did go in person. But i guess I’m concerned about spending such a sum of money on a vehicle I’ve not actually seen.

Has any got experience of buying ‘unseen’? What should I ask? Check for? Get everything in writing by e-mail?

I would at least get your own RAC/AA vehicle check done on it, if that come back ok I would still arrange to pick up then at least you still have the option to walk if there is something you don’t like about it when you get there.

Would it be covered under distance selling regs giving you 7 days to reject it?

http://www.oft.gov.uk/about-the-oft/legal-powers/legal/distance-selling-regulations/%5B/url%5D

I’d have no problem (and have done it myself) if it is from a franchised dealer. Any other situation I’d forget it though…

Have done from auto quake, distace selling regs give adequate protection IMO not had any problems in 6 months of motoring

Distance selling regs. do apply, it’s absolutely this sort of situation they were created for. There’s absolutely no point in the expense of an independent mechanical check if its part of an Approved programme as the car will be warranted and will have been prepped to a decent standard.

What is a good idea is to get the dealer to photograph the car thoroughly and send you pics and also ask the salesman directly about the cosmetic condition of the car. When the car arrives, inspect it thoroughly and in good light, as you would if you were collecting in person. If there is anything that you weren’t made aware of get straight onto them and make the delivery driver aware of it.

Be realistic in your expectations though, a used car can never be made to look like a new one. Fine/small scratches and stone chips are a fact of life and although they can be touched in or polished, they can’t vanish.

Now for the controversial bit. It is absolutely in the dealers best interests that you are happy with your purchase. Despite what a lot of people will tell you, they are not out to fiddle you or sell ropey tat and so long as you make your expectations clear, they will do their best to fulfil them.

Good luck and happy shopping! 🙂

Have done from auto quake, distace selling regs give adequate protection IMO not had any problems in 6 months of motoring

didn’t take a warranty out did you?

Yes I did unfortunatley, I’ve got a letter from the receivers now they’ve gone bankrupt. Still the car was cheaper than dealer even with the warranty, so not too bothered

Yes I did unfortunatley, I’ve got a letter from the receivers now they’ve gone bankrupt. Still the car was cheaper than dealer even with the warranty, so not too bothered

Luckily I paid the £100 deposit with a credit card so they’re going to refund me most of the warranty cost ~£600

Ah, I think I did too, should I get onto my CC company or the receivers?

done it with both my last cars, (but only as they were proper dealers and warranty etc etc), both successful.

make sure it’s sold as (*mind you via a ‘proper’ dealer this should be fine):
– not been in an accident or damaged
– not modified from standard

Do check it carefully when it arrives(all round boywork,bumpers etc, windscreen chips) before you sign, ie if it gets damaged in transit…

Ah, I think I did too, should I get onto my CC company or the receivers?

CC company

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3117816

Be realistic in your expectations though, a used car can never be made to look like a new one. Fine/small scratches and stone chips are a fact of life and although they can be touched in or polished, they can’t vanish

try telling that to the sleazeman when trading in a car………they point out every chip and scratch, however when I pointed the same on the car i was looking at ” oh its a used car, if you want new, buy new”

I bought elsewhere, I do hate car sales people and the experience they bring to buying a car!

Best car I ever owned was bought over the net without being seen. I test drove similar cars closer to me to make sure it was what I wanted, and read buyers guides from the relevant owners’ club forums so I had a fighting chance at spotting anything dodgy before I finally paid for it. I paid on collection as well, which is probably the best way to do it.

On the flip-side, I travelled all the way from Edinburgh to Bradford to buy a Mazda RX7 described on the internet as “showroom condition”, and when I got there the bodykit was smashed, the boot wouldn’t open and it had thrown a rotor tip, meaning a ~£3k rebuild was necessary. I left without the car and with my money.

CC company

Paid by debit card, so less chance of protection. I think I paid £300 or so for a years warranty and breakdown cover and was 6 or 7 months in. Seems it might be a bit pintless to spend much time or effort to get anything back given the chance of seeing £150 again

I’m pretty sure Visa debit cards offer as much protection as credit cards…

Have a look at this thread – the car may not necessarily be what they’re making it out to be (though it may not matter to you):

Clicky Linky[/url]

The 30 day exchange option you mentioned offers you some protection presumably, though they’ll no doubt be difficult about it if you needed to go down that route!

I got my RS4 like this – Audi warranty though and when it arrived it went straight to an independent specialist who i paid to go over it with a fine tooth comb. The report he gave me went back to Audi and they fixed everything plus more. Always always always ask if it’s been in an accident as they do not have to disclose this unless you ask apparently.

bought a ‘ pre owned’ two year old car for my sister in law over the phone from a main dealer, they even sent a courtesy car while she waited for hers to be delivered, fantastic service. Bought a used 3yr old trade in from a main dealer unseen, never had a problem in three years.

http://pre65trials.blogspot.com/

we few we happy few

I’m pretty sure Visa debit cards offer as much protection as credit cards…

They have some protection but it’s a Visa rule rather than an act of Parliament and no where near the protection offered under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act

Visa Debit Chargeback – The Facts