15 months old, low mileage, main dealer, we have looked at identical cars, this one is a good price though the other end of the country.
Would you buy a second hand car without seeing it?
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
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No
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Before buying my new one recently, I was looking at numerous second hand ones around the country. Most dealers were happy to accept a conditional deposit, dependant on me being happy with the car. I just made sure they would send an e-mail confirming it first (stressing unconditional return of cash if not happy for any reason).
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Friend has just done this with a 55 reg Mazda 6 Petrol - travelled halfway cross country to meet a dealer from an Autotrader ad - nice straight car with Mazda history. Looks like he had a good 'un.
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I've done it twice by putting down a deposit over the phone and making it clear that purchase was subject to satisfactory inspection and test drive.
No problems either time, both times main dealers with 2 year old cars (a SEAT Toledo with 13k on the clock and a FIAT Stilo with 27k). I'd do it again.
But be prepared to walk away if it's not up to scratch on inspection.
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The first time, yes and it was fine.
The second time it was a disaster, so never again for me...
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Yes.
Bought our Mondeo via Ford Direct. No problems.
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>>Bought our Mondeo via Ford Direct. No problems.>>
Somewhat different to a "blind" basic acceptance of a secondhand vehicle....:-)
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I was meaning literally without seeing it other than emailed pics, taking their word on the condition and getting it delivered.
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No! No! No!
It just isn't worth the risk.
Keep looking and find one closer.
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Another aspect of this: if you're not buying from a main dealer, and you have a problem with the car after purchase, it could be a heck of a long drive to get corrective work done.
Which was the mistake I made ;)
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That is exactly what we did. The Mondeo came from Ford's central stock, I only got to see the vehicle on delivery.
The Ford Direct cars do come with a good warranty and a 30 day exchange deal if you are not happy with the car.
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In general I'd have said no for many years... but...
We've just done this at a Citroen main dealer with SWMBO's new car. At 3ys old and 22k it arrived exceeding our expectations for condition. Apart from two scuffed front wheel trims which they changed for new ones it was virtually as new. It even had an extra main dealer service to what we'd been told. We did agree that the deposit could be refunded if had any serious issues which they happily agreed to.
SWMBO's previous car was an 8yr old Xsara with 90k recorded and we bought it on e.mail pics privately from 80mls away with the seller delivering for £50. This one massively exceeded expectations and was in a condition to justify a price £500 above that we paid. We just kept walking round it in amazement.
Similarly I've just had my new car that I'd never seen delivered from 120mls away. I hadn't seen the actual colour, the particular alloys it would have or the interior trim style/colour. Nor had I driven the engine in that body. But it's all good.
So I'm a bit more relaxed about the concept that I used to be.
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M.M
Are you by chance connected with M&M the Citroen specialist at Holmfirth ?
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I did, Mk III Golf from a VW main dealer. Only some time later when looking very closely at the doors that I realised the non metallic paint was peppered with lots of tiny chips.So probably not again.
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I wouldn't.
Put a refundable credit card deposit down to secure the car by all means, but I would have to see the car in the flesh before paying the balance. How much is a train ticket to the garage (they'll pick you up from the station)?. Got to be worth that for a 15 month old car, surely?
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No... now an entirely private poster... but was in the business (often Citroens) a while back. I'm East Anglia based.
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Yes, but only from a main dealer. Did 08 Peugeot 207SW earlier this year from Birmingham, and did previous Peugeot 206SW from Peterborough a few years ago. Both cars approximately 12 months old when bought with low mileage, but scan the online dealer's used vehicles as they certainly vary dealer to dealer. Agreed trade-in on 206, which wasn't a million miles away from 'what car' prices. Didn't require deposit as recognised serious enquiry if prepared to drive this distance.
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Been there, done that. Wouldn't do it again.
Car I bought looked good, ran well but turned out three weeks later it has been owned by a heavy smoker and the car positively stank of stale smoke.
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Been there, did it and it was fine... strangely enough the chap who bought it off me also bought it unseen as well...
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Hi
i have and will buy 'unseen'! Even without seeing a pic!
The criteria I have apply and recommend you do is;
Buy from a MAIN DEALER.
Make sure before you buy that car has FSH from main dealer.
when is the next service and which type.
What brand of tyres and tread depth.
most main dealer cars, like our mercs and jeeps will come with a 3 month gurantee, eg that if pads go withing 3 months or 1000 miles whichever is first, they pay.
ask if car has had animals or children in (so you are aware of possible smelss that have been masked and wear and tear to door cards from some people kds/animals.
IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE STENCH OF FAG SMOKE - ENSURE YOUR CONDITION OF PURCHASE IS CAR HAS NOT BEEN SMOKED IN OR MASKED WITH A 'BOMB' 9a bomb is an air freshner that masks ligh smoke smels for a few days, but when the sun is up and hot and shines on your full leather/or part leather seats and carpets, trust me the stench will return.
be sensible, ask about previous owners, if company owners, mileage, accident damage/etc.
I bought my S class via the net - pre-reg car but it did have 500 miles on the clock, so defo used by franchise directors/etc. The jeep hemi a bit older - so all questions aked and we are happy 100%
BTW - insist on 12 months road tax and full tank of fuel = LOL, but it works!
thanks
Paul
you will be ok as mercs do a approx 30 day exchange
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Bought son's Citroen AX a few years ago from Ebay unseen. Seller answered questions correctly. It was a success. Accurately described apart from slightly mismatched paint on a front wing.
I would buy unseen again, especially a model of which I had some experience.
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bought nearly new with only a few hundred miles on the clock from a main dealer this way, anything older than that i would want to see it, or if it was too far away i would pay for an AA inspection or similar
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Sold many cars 'blind' when i was in the trade at a Ford Main dealer. It amazed me how many people would phone up and put a deposit down over the phone and only see the car when they came to pick it up.
A main dealer is good for backup but as I am now out the trade Id always say be cautious and would tend to look at a well cared for car in a private sale.
Some of the tricks I was advised to use by my manager were very near the border, if not illegal.
If a car has FSH always as to see the invoice from the workshop as some salesmen will just stamp it up without doing the work.
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yes but you have to trust the vender to tell the truth
certain selling mediums would tell you everything you needed to know but were afraid to ask if you actually broke the advert down into chunk size bits and if they pass that muster test you go to part b
why selling?
how long have they owned it/been established
etc etc
simples
they are only washing machines with wheels you know
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Bought my car from a main dealer a 2.5 hour train ride away no problems but would have walked away.
Sold on eBAY to someone who had a three hour train journey to me, which surprised me a little but it was a fair price for the car and he was happy (but I am an awfully decent sort!)
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Yes, so long as it was relatively new and low mileage and ex demo from a main dealer. Did this when I got my C5 a few years back. Found it on Auto Trader near Newcastle (I live in Surrey) and I wasn't prepared to go up there just to have a look at it. But I got the RAC to inspect it, put a holding deposit down which I got the dealer to ensure was refundable in the event that when I went up to collect the car I got some kind of terrible surprise. So I think I covered myself OK and it all went fine - and got myself a bargain to boot.
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Yes, I have done so several times through ebay, and have had no problem at all with any of the cars.
I've never paid more than £500 though, so if I was shelling out several thousand I'd insist on seeing, inspecting, and driving the car before I handed over the full amount.
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