Buying a car from a private seller

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Why do private sellers buy used cars? What happens when you buy an used car from a private seller? What are the musts of buying a car privately?

Buying a car from a private seller should not be something to worry about, in fact, it should save you money compared to buying from a dealer which has bills to pay and profits to make.

Lower prices: Dealers pay to prepare the used car for sale, advertise it, and pay the salesperson a commission. When you buy a used car from a private seller, you are taking on all the risk of repairs. Private sellers don’t have these costs, so they’re not passed on to you. If possible, ask a mechanic to inspect the car before you purchase it to reduce your risk.

There is a lesson in this for all of us. A bargain to save a few hundred bucks lands you in all kind of trouble is not a bargain at all. The famous curb-side sale is written in the press and consumer advocates warn people about these deals. Caveat Emptor does apply, Buyer beware.

This is interpreted as the buyer should have taken all reasonable measures to ensure that the item was as described and fit for purpose.

The situation with regard to a second hand car is a very very. The musts of buying privately. Always, always, view the car at the private seller’s home address ensuring the ‘registered owner details’ (that appear on the V5C logbook) are identical to where the vehicle is being sold.

This way, you know where the seller lives in case a serious legal problem crops up down the road. So its with this in mind that we answer five of the top asked questions about buying a used car from a private seller : Question 1: Is a used car from a private seller really cheaper than from a dealer? In most cases, you’ll snag a lower price when you buy a used car from a private seller.

Essentially, when buying a used car privately you are. If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, you’re always going to struggle to win any argument or court case unless you can conclusively show that the seller has lied to you or misled you about the car ’s condition.

If you’re buying privately, check that the name of the registered keeper is the same as the person you’re dealing with, and the address is the property you’re buying the car from. If it’s not, ask questions - the seller might be a dealer masquerading as a private seller, or the car could even be stolen. If you decide to pay for your next car in cash, it’s a good idea to meet the buyer at a bank.

This way the bank will be able to prove the notes are genuine – to give reassurance to the seller – and the money can be paid immediately. However, do be careful walking around with large sums of money on you.

Check a car ’s history. Ask the seller for the car ’s: 2. Get a private history check.

If a car you buy turns out to be faulty, your rights and options largely depend on who you bought it from and how they described the car. You have less legal protection when buying from a private seller or from a car auction than when buying from a dealer.

The Easy Way to Buy a Car from a Private Seller Don’t Rush When Buying a Used Car.

Research the Car’s History. Unfortunately, you can’t trust the seller’s assurances that the car was well kept all its. Buying a used car can be a quick process, especially if you’re buying from private sellers looking for a speedy sale.

It’s possible you could see a listing in the morning and be driving home with your (insured and taxed) car in the afternoon. However, it’s important you don’t feel pressured to make a purchase by a seller. Gather information about the car. Getting as much information as you can about a vehicle can help you make an informed.

Things To Look Out For When Buying From Private Sellers 1. Compare Prices of Cars Online. This is really easy to do and there’s no reason not to check Kelly Blue Book. The seller’s identity is as important as the CarFax car documentation. A private seller is going to answer this in three ways: Immediately off the top of his or her hea which indicates they probably did the oil changes themselves and the vehicle is well maintained.

After a slight pause, ask if they can check their records. This also indicates the car has probably been well maintained. However, if you’re buying the car from a private individual, you can’t take advantage of any tax that’s left on the car. To tax the car, you need the new keeper section of the V5C online – another reason to insist on seeing the V5C before you buy the car – and you can tax the car immediately, either online via gov.

Post Office that deals. Your legal rights are the same as if you were buying from them in person (see ‘’Problems with used cars bought privately’ above).