For anyone who followed the recent misfuelled diesel Focus or even the 'which Avensis' sagas:
We finally bought a very nice, totally unmarked 42K FSH 05 Focus 1.6 LX (115bhp petrol with a/c) privately this evening.
Everything was right, owner had car for last 4 years, bought locally from new, nice couple, nice house, new company Focus on the drive, every instinct screaming 'it's legit!' Ummed and ahh'ed for no longer than 15 seconds before settling on a price and shaking on it. All in all a very pleasant end to the saga.
also got it for significantly less than equivilant motors on dealer forecourts...which is nice!
Thanks again chaps for all the advice throught.
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Should be a good little motor and give you a lot less potentional head aches than a common rail diesel would give. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? I've often found the best cars can be had privately as well.
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sounds nice
you dont mention getting it looksied over and hpi"d though?
you did though didnt you?
biggest liers out there are private people with private cars unfortunately especially when it comes to taking folding in the lounge .
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Should be a good little motor and give you a lot less potentional head aches than a common rail diesel would give. How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking? I've often found the best cars can be had privately as well. £4150 with 6 month tax thrown in
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Well done and good luck with it.
I can sympathize as I have been dithering around for quite a while, 6 months or so, looking for a BMW 325i, searching far and wide. Had given up until one popped up a couple of miles away, literally at the end of my road. Went in to look at it and liked it, slept on it and then went back the next day. I got exactly the deal I wanted and shook hands. It just felt right... it was worth waiting as it was a better proposition than some of the other ones I considered.
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Keep us posted with how it goes, that 1.6 115 ps engine is a sweet unit, be interested to hear how your first few hundred miles go.
What was the reason they gave for selling it ? (and if you say because they put diesel in it we'll all crack up laughing)
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What was the reason they gave for selling it ? (and if you say because they put diesel in it we'll all crack up laughing)
quite rightly too!
No, as I said in the OP, the new company Focus was on the driveway.
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No, as I said in the OP, the new company Focus was on the driveway.
>>>>.
>>>>>>>>>> you mean the hire car to look like the new car?
you did go in the house?
theres a lot of dodgy dealings selling cars from drives with stolen log books you know
thats why its always best to go to a dealer ;-)
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Which Focus model had they gone for this time around ?
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Bellboy as longs as it is HPI clearer and the chassis numbers are in tact what is the problem?
It is quite easy to spot a doctored car on the private market. Dealers also sell dodgy cars remember the thread I made about that Focus I went to see? Was a 00T (yes 2000 T) the dealer was kept insisting it was a 2000 reg car. When I checked the chasis number on the floor surprise surprise it was all scratched out. There are always easy give aways like that.
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i put a wink rattle
on the subject of dodgy cars you would be surprised the trouble gangs go to to sell forged documented cars,you are from manchester the countries hotspot
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I know but I've been into 1000's of houses because of my job so I think I am a very good judge of charector. I've walked out of many private deals before because something didn't seem right. You just have to be wear and ask lots and lots of questions. I tried to trick the seller of my car a few times but everything added up. He told me about his degree from Nottingham and I asked a lot of questions about that - you can always catch out the crooks by simple questions.
I would have thought most people fall for a dodgy private sale due to poor greed, e.g a deal is too good to be true but the person ignores that and blindy falls into it.
I would be very very suspicious about certain cars being sold too.
I still think by far the biggest risk from buying on the private market is hidden machanical problems which won't show on the test drive.
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Bell Boy...
Yes I went in the house, got the history of the house (seriously), met the wife, found out they have close relatives living near us etc etc. In my line of work (psychotherapy) I'm pretty good at reading people and these were as straight as they come.
Mike, Ironically it was a 1.6 TDCi (Zetec I think)
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lucklesspedestrian
good,honestly
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Bell Boy...
You would be amazed (or probably not) at how many times I've encountered the "I'll meet you in MacDonalds carpark 'cos the house is really hard to find" schtick so I think your caution is entirely justified.
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1.6 TDCi (Zetec), nice choice, I've got one. Must admit I found it a close choice between the 1.6 TDCi and 115 ps petrol, I'd be happy with either. I hope you have lots of happy times with the 115.
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I think gut instinct is very important. If it feels right, it usually is. If it doesn't, it usually isn't. The hard part is having the discipline to walk away in case of the latter.
From what you say, you've bought a good car from decent people. Enjoy it!
Cheers
DP
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I am a chartered surveyor doing mainly commercial property valuations. You would not believe the number of people I meet who try it on. You can tell almost from the first phone call, whether the deal is legit or there is something dodgy. Its the tone of voice and style of speaking "...Yeah mate what can i do for you..." I'm not your mate! Its the story behind the deal and the number of people you have to speak to, to get the keys etc.
If it feels right and looks right then it usually is right. But with the slightest doubt, the first thing I do is look for my downvaluing tables and treat the property with the caution it deserves.
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