If you buy privately, the seller is not obliged to tell you about the
vehicles past, and will avoid doing this if it has any form of hidden
problems. It is important for you as the potential buyer to ensure that
you get as much information as possible, and cover yourself as much as
you possibly can.
Usually the first stage is when you contact the seller over the phone.
You can save yourself a lot of problems and wasted time if you ask some
very specific questions.
Ask them 'Why are they selling the vehicle?'
The answer should be believable and quickly given
Secondly, How long have they owned the car? Have
they had it from new? If they are not the first owner, ask them how
many previous owners the vehicle has had. The answer can be clearly
checked through examining the registration document later.
Ask them 'What is the mileage and is this
genuine' There may be a good reason for any discrepancy, a replaced
faulty mileometer for example, but if this is the case, there should
be service records and documents to back this up.
Ask them what type of condition the vehicle is
in?, but be specific, does it have any body damage or rust, are the
seats torn anywhere, has it had a respray, etc.
Then you need to check for outstanding finance
or hire purchase agreement? Often the vehicle will have had finance,
but the seller should be able to provide documentary evidence that
this is now cleared, ask if this is available.
Ask if the vehicle have any tax and MOT? If so
how much?
You can ask 'Has the vehicle been involved in any
accidents? If so what?' 'Has the vehicle been repaired?' If yes whom
by and are there any records?
Ask for any service records or old MOT's - you
can check these for mileage later
Is the vehicle standard
or has it been modified or had anything replaced?
Finally, are they happy to have a professional vehicle inspection?,
is the price negotiable - are
they open to reasonable and fair offers?
The answers given to these questions, should give you the information
to decide whether you wish to make time to visit and view the vehicle.
Often it is better to close the conversation at that point, and spend
sometime thinking about the answers and discussing these with someone
you trust. If you
are happy, ring back to make an appointment.
