BMW 1 Series (2005 - 2009) - What questions to ask when buying a used car??

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 14:42
BMW 1 Series (2005 - 2009) - What questions to ask when buying a used car?? - ky1

Hi all,

I am hoping to make this purchase some time this week from a car dealership (90% cargiant as I have had good experience with them).

Now, I want to make this the most well thought out car purchase I have ever made.. (my 3rd so far after a total loss of my previous car, I'm on a roll!)

Ok, so what helpful questions should I be asking about the car before I make the decision to purchase or not?

This will be very helpful for me to ensure I make a good purchase for a well looked after car and I am in a good position regarding consumer rights (I will be voice recording my entire conversation with the salesman as back up in case anything goes wrong down the line - yes, I am taking this very seriously!)

Thanks in advance for all your help guys, and I will be compiling a list of these questions and making an article to help future car buyers, so your answers will be good investment for future generations :P

Cheers,

Ky :)

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 17:35
BMW 1 Series (2005 - 2009) - What questions to ask when buying a used car?? - bathtub tom

If you're recording someone's conversation, I think you'll find you have to advise them of it, otherwise it cannot be used as evidence.

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 17:41
BMW 1 Series (2005 - 2009) - What questions to ask when buying a used car?? - ky1

Thanks, I'm aware of that! More looking for advice on questions to ask when buying a used car!

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 20:32
BMW 1 Series (2005 - 2009) - What questions to ask when buying a used car?? - Sulphur Man

You're voice recording a conversation with a salesman to protect your consumer rights, yet you've come to a forum to understand what sort of questions to ask when buying a used car. Forgive me, but this feels very lopsided. Shouldnt your query be "What do I need to know about buying a used 1-series?"

Firstly, HJ's advice section on the website covers good diligence when buying a used car, and secondly, you should research consumer information on the precise vehicle you intend to buy, a 1-series in this case, and formulate your own questions. I dont think many people on this forum who might venture a question to your conversation want to implicated if the purchase proves less than satisfactory.

A salesman at Car Giant, which has 100s of cars on its books, wont know much specific information about the car you're interested in, apart from whats written on the Car Giant sales description sheet or the website. Unless that written history is inaccurate or false, then recording the conversation is of little use.

I had a 120D SE - 55-reg, one of the worse cars I've owned frankly. The interior plastics creaked incessantly, the ride was poor on 17" RFTs., it got nowhere near it's claimed mpg and the standard fit radio (Business CD) was rubbish. I understand the car was vastly improved from 07-reg onwards, so best to get one from then on. Avoid the sport/M Sport models, the crash over every bump in the road.

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