So you won't be having a test drive or a careful examination of this car. Photos may be helpful but often don't reveal very much. You will be at the mercy of someone who probably knows nothing about the vehicle except from its paperwork (may be sketchy) and what is on the odometer. The seller's main interest will be in closing a sale, plus the fact that the buyer is a long way off and won't want to come back for any aftersales.

I hope you have studied the MoT record online - if the car is old enough to have one, of course. All you can do is hope for the best.

If placing a deposit, you state that it is subject to your inspection, which would be acceptable to any quality dealer

Don't do it!

If you can't check the vehicle before purchase, there's an increased risk of finding issues - and you'd likely need to return it to the selling dealer for rectification.

If you really think you're lucky then buy a lottery ticket and spend the winnings on a new car from your local dealer.

I think some versions of the Verso auto(probably early versions) had the dreaded MMT automated manual gearbox.

In addition as mentioned above any used car must be seen / thoroughly checked and it's best not to buy from a distance as it's hard to resolve problems.

Edited by Big John on 27/10/2022 at 19:59

Hello guys,

What kind of requests should I put forward for a vehicle that wouldn't be viewed in person. As it is across the country. I've sent requests for more close up photos of the interior and of the bodywork. As well as video footage for both also. What else should I go about doing as the vehicle won't be viewed until it's paid for and arrived.

Thanks in advance for the any advice and tips.

As Harry Callahan once said, "do you feel lucky?".

I would never buy a car sight unseen unless it was brand new and had the opportunity (when I went to pick it up and pay the remainder) to back out of the deal at no cost to me other than the trip to pick it up. I would also do so at a dealer who was considered reputable.

My current car was a del miles only purchased from Motorpoint, thus apart from the description and photos, had no physical look at it until I went to their Derby outlet to pick it up (paying off the remainder [I'd put down a £250 deposit via my credit card, so no cost to me until later]).

I thoroughly checked out the car, and there was a discrepancy (no 'faults') - it was described as having a CD player when one wasn't fitted (a Euro RHD import), and thus I got compensation (equivalent to the cost of having one fitted) from them via a reduced final bill, no questions asked.

I personally would not buy an older (over 3yo) second hand car without seeing/test driving it (I'd test driven / looked at essentially identical new cars to mine at local main dealers already as I had been comparing them with rbokers before seeing the car supermarket's price even cheaper).