Buying a car at a distance...250 miles to be precise **updated** now with pic!

Caporegime
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
37,804
Location
block 16, cell 12
So obviously I wouldn't usually but with the 'demic in its swing and the car being quite rare...

What are the 'mechanics' behind buying a car from a private individual from a distance, is there a best way to arrange payment, sign over ownership etc who to use to ship the car etc

Anyone done this recently at all or am I bonkers?
 
Associate
Joined
27 Apr 2018
Posts
1,320
Id send a mobile mechanic to give me an.overvirw first and he could probably get a better assessment than I could.
I am going to assume your not sending a local mechanic you know 250 miles to view the car, but rather a mechanic that is near the location of the car.
How much do you trust a mobile mechanic who you don't know to do his job properly?
 
Caporegime
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
37,804
Location
block 16, cell 12
I am going to assume your not sending a local mechanic you know 250 miles to view the car, but rather a mechanic that is near the location of the car.
How much do you trust a mobile mechanic who you don't know to do his job properly?

I think you take that chance every time you pay anybody for a service. But other than speaking to them and reading reviews thats your best bet to be honest.

Not being a mechanic or having the tools myself to carry down would mean I would be less qualified.
 
Associate
Joined
27 Apr 2018
Posts
1,320
I am going to assume your not sending a local mechanic you know 250 miles to view the car, but rather a mechanic that is near the location of the car.
How much do you trust a mobile mechanic who you don't know to do his job properly?
Perhaps consider a AA pre purchase inspection? Just read they send a full photographic report too.
 
Man of Honour
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
29,508
Location
Surrey
Is it a special car? e.g. I once paid for a local Porsche specialist to perform a report on a 968. If it's a specialist car which is difficult to find then I'd suggest something like that. But if it's a standard car then why this specific car and why now? If it's a bargain or you desperately need a car right now then, as suggested, something like an AA report would be worth considering.
 
Caporegime
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
37,804
Location
block 16, cell 12
Is it a special car? e.g. I once paid for a local Porsche specialist to perform a report on a 968. If it's a specialist car which is difficult to find then I'd suggest something like that. But if it's a standard car then why this specific car and why now? If it's a bargain or you desperately need a car right now then, as suggested, something like an AA report would be worth considering.

Its a 90 jap twin turbo rust bucket

AA won't touch it ha!
 
Man of Honour
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
29,508
Location
Surrey
Its a 90 jap twin turbo rust bucket

AA won't touch it ha!
I'd be asking the owners club, or people on the owners group/forum/facebook for recommendations for a local garage to perform an inspection for you. In easier times you might also have been able to ask for a friendly local owner to take a quick look but that won't be possible until the end of lockdown. However a garage with knowledge of the car would still be able to inspect it for you.
 
Soldato
Joined
19 Jul 2009
Posts
7,223
Bit of pot luck isn't it unless it's an expensive car in which case I just wouldn't.

I bought mine from about 200 miles away. Went to see it, didn't get there until after dark and about 2 hours later than I intended too, with the seller needing to go out for an appointment. I bought it because it has a sunroof.

It's been fine for last 7/8 years. There was a couple very minor things wrong with it, despite the seller saying there was absolutely nothing. Win some, lose some.
 
Caporegime
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
37,804
Location
block 16, cell 12
I'd be asking the owners club, or people on the owners group/forum/facebook for recommendations for a local garage to perform an inspection for you. In easier times you might also have been able to ask for a friendly local owner to take a quick look but that won't be possible until the end of lockdown. However a garage with knowledge of the car would still be able to inspect it for you.

Yeah I wish but don't think that's going to happen at this point!
Well you already know its gonna be a ball ache, just buy it already and show us pictures!

Paging @Transform_IT to advise on bad but exciting car buying decisions :D

I'm hoping to make it so this/next weekend...I can tell already most will hate it but. Eaxh to their own


What I'm not sure of is if I send a trailer how do we facilitate change of ownership etc given lockdow I've been reading mixed things about excessive travel to buy a car 250 miles away in.person.
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2010
Posts
21,946
Yeah I wish but don't think that's going to happen at this point!


I'm hoping to make it so this/next weekend...I can tell already most will hate it but. Eaxh to their own


What I'm not sure of is if I send a trailer how do we facilitate change of ownership etc given lockdow I've been reading mixed things about excessive travel to buy a car 250 miles away in.person.
I wouldn't worry as long as you take the correct precautions. Change of ownership is essentially a good receipts, a transaction (bank transfer) and then the bottom half of the v5. Transport is super simple via Shiply.
 
Caporegime
OP
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
37,804
Location
block 16, cell 12
I wouldn't worry as long as you take the correct precautions. Change of ownership is essentially a good receipts, a transaction (bank transfer) and then the bottom half of the v5. Transport is super simple via Shiply.

So lay it out for a layman, I book transporter.

I send bank transfer he gives me a WhatsApp receipt and we (me/he?) Does a change of ownership online?
 
OcUK Staff
Joined
17 Oct 2002
Posts
38,205
Location
OcUK HQ
I am literally in a similar scenario but selling.

A guy in Ireland really wants my Abarth, at first alarm bells rang but after discussing in more detail with him and tracing him down on Facebook I can see he is a member in Abarth groups and has been looking for a Competizione for a while, they are reportedly very rare in Ireland, I've answered all his questions and he is happy and he asked me to detail any issues, no matter how minor as he cannot view the vehicle.

I've been totally honest, if I agree he will bank transfer the money, upon clearing he will then arrange to have the car collected.
I am still a little unsure about it all as personally I'd never buy a car unseen from a private reseller, but he really wishes to go ahead.

Is there anything I should be aware of, checking or getting him to sign electronically or something before I say yes, take his money and allow the car to be collected, or should I hold out for a more local UK buyer?
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Jan 2010
Posts
21,946
So lay it out for a layman, I book transporter.

I send bank transfer he gives me a WhatsApp receipt and we (me/he?) Does a change of ownership online?
I would...
1. Book inspection (AA)
2. Ask a pal to attend from owners club (if possible)
3. Book a Shiply, stating you want a call when they get there before they simply pick up the motor; find a date
4. Agree Shiply date with seller
5. Once transporter arrives, confirm car is OK, issue bank transfer
6. Get chap to confirm bank transfer arrived/ issue receipt (digital as good as any as long as there is some record)
7. Transporter drives off with vehicle
8. v5 sent at owners convenience. A slip is normally torn off as your "receipt"

Just be clear in the Shiply request you want someone who is willing to "wait around" whilst bank transfer is sent and some assistance in doing a very quick over view of the car. It won't be a new request for them. And of course, check out their reviews.
 
Back
Top Bottom