Prepayment for a car - is it safe? | Ask Honest John

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Prepayment for a car - is it safe?

Is it safe to pay the full amount for a new car before having seen it & before delivery (as asked by www.discount-new-cars.com) - they want the monies cleared and in their bank account before delivery or car collection.

I suggested view the car on the day and pay by "chaps" same day but they wanted chaps 24hrs ahead of viewing and collection.

They also suggested paying by debit card 3 working days before delivery and that the debit card payment is "safe" as I paid the initial deposit (£1000) by credit card. What is your play-safe advice?

Asked on 3 June 2011 by cautious1

Answered by Honest John

I can understand their point of view because they want to pay their supplier. But I would not deal in this way. Cash on delivery only.

Tags: buying new cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

What car with high seats and a petrol engine?

I have a Hyundai ix35 1.7D Premium and am considering changing to a petrol car. What is available that has a fairly high seats for easy entry (for my dodgy old knees!), good reliability and comfort?

Which SUV?

I want an SUV type vehicle, about 2 years old, with decent space and access, pothole friendly wheels, tyres and suspension and good reliability. I do low mileage, mostly short runs with longer at the...

Want to replace our two cars - what do you recommend?

We currently run two cars and would like to replace one or both in the next couple of months. My husband drives an 03 plate Toyota Corolla vvti 1.6 and commutes about 50 miles per day - half on pretty...

Related models