You probably have more insight than I on the topic but I think bank transfers are pretty irrefutable/irreversible so the safest method to receive cash. I assume you are talking ROI instead of NI? Legal system complexities/incompatibilities could be a nightmare but that plays in either persons favour...

I guess the transport firm could run off with the vehicle and the chap could blame you, but that is an insurance thing and something he would be responsible for as he is now legal owner of the car.

I wonder if car seller insurance even exists...?

 

I'll be honest, I'd tell him that for the good of both of you - you'll happily take a decent (non refundable) deposit and hold the car for him until he can get a cheap flight over. As he is coming from Ireland he won't have to worry about the mandatory self isolation etc. I just wouldn't trust letting some random stranger taking the car on the back of a lorry away whilst hoping that this mystical buyer hasn't just paid for the car with someone's hacked online banking or something.

There's just too many things that can give you a headache. If he says he never got the car, or complains that there is something wrong with it that you didn't tell him about, or the bank transfer ends up being fraudulent etc you have a load of grief from a person you have never met before. Tbh, if he's that desperate for the car, I'm sure he'll be fine with this and it just protects both sides from issues.

 

No different if he shows up in person is there really. Except you'll have his charming good lucks and potential 'built like a brick s**thouse' nature to cope with lol.

 

Well, for a start you avoid any issues with people moaning it isn't as described. What they see is what they get.

Secondly, you don't have any issues with the car going missing in between the seller and buyer, and whilst it's easy to say that's not the sellers problem, if it brings grief to your door, it's always going to be your problem. People will claim all sorts of outrageous things.

Thirdly, you get to actually meet the person, which for me is important. If they're such a Fiat Abarth fan, that'll be clear from the start and will give them authenticity as a proper buyer. And buyers they normally do a bank transfer on their phone or something which is harder to start doing something dodgy on. You could even ask if they'd mind showing you their driving licence just to make sure it's the same person as making the transfer, no one genuine would blink an eye at this.

I dunno, for me, there's enough risk with a private sale as is, without some random guy coming to pick up the car and stick it on the back of a lorry to take it to a person you've never met before who has transferred you money online. My standpoint is that I'd rather be a little bit cautious, and not have issues or risk of losing thousands of pounds, than try and please someone I've never met before and never will meet again. Any genuine buyer will likely understand this.

 

Good points all around but your opening point was about using someone's hacked online banking credentials. A chap from Ireland rocking up at your door step doesn't change the fact it may be hacked online banking credentials, and the fact you'll have very little recourse if something were to happen.

 

I wouldn't be able to buy a car at a distance. This like like good, one must come close and see what he or she is buying. Otherwise there can be many hidden defects that will turn your life into a nightmare with time.

 

Who are you using to transport it out of interest?

 

It has better be a Ferrari to be worth this...

I did buy a private car from distance twice - on both occasions I had a huge collection of photos but I still went to check it and pick it up in person, the only risk being a wasted journey.

Personally despite having done it before I'd not be in a hurry to do it again and both occasions were because each car was a fairly unique deal (A combination of high mileage yet fairly new made them in budget where otherwise they wouldn't).

The chances of a wasted journey are high, personally I think you'd be mad to get a private sale car purchased at distance and transported to you before you'd seen it yourself. It is going to have be something very rare and special to be worth the gamble. What is it?

 

The thing I can’t get my head around is not meeting in person to do the transaction, even if you also then arrange to transport it home for ease. For the sake of a drive there and back I’d never open myself up to issues like this. This ignores the bonus that you can inspect the car in person for condition too.

Sending (tens?) of thousands to a stranger online without having even met them at the registered address and at least getting the car handover just seems way outside my comfort zone, and I’m pretty relaxed about car buying generally. I’ll happily buy sight unseen auction cars...but of course in that scenario you are not massively opening yourself up to your money disappearing as you pay the reputable auction house....not a random private account

 

I bought my Impreza from just a few pics. Was transported from Glasgow to West Wales last year during the first lockdwn.

I've known the car since it first arrived in the UK so it wasn't really "that" much of a gamble.

Paying and transferring ownership was a bit wobbly with lots of trust on both sides but it worked out perfect in the end.

 

Very Jelly, one of many cars I want, could buy, but am too scared because they are old and complicated and weird.

How is it?