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Original poster

Has anyone bought a car online?

15 replies

Chenford · 04/02/2023 09:59

As above - we need to replace one of our cars.

I know there are various sites where you can buy sight unseen and have it delivered; but I’m nervous in case of issues.

Has anyone done this? If so, which site did you use? Did you have any issues with the car and if so, how were they dealt with?

OP posts:

amicissimma · 04/02/2023 14:31

Yes. It was brilliant. During one of the lockdowns so I had no choice.

I used Bristol Street Motors as they had the car I wanted. It was a used one. The salesman went all round the car with his phone, inside and out, and sent me the video, which was of good quality. I signed the documents digitally, which he talked me through. Then it was delivered to me at home, with the paperwork, at the agreed time.

It counts as distance selling so you have 14 days to reject the car if it's not right. A kind of 14 day test drive, if you like.

I've been very pleased with the car indeed. No problems either with the car or the process.

Original poster

Chenford · 04/02/2023 21:44

Thank you @amicissimma - I’ll check them out!

OP posts:

Mollypolly2610 · 05/02/2023 16:49

We bought in the UK when we lived in the Middle East..
We used Arnold Clark, they sent us a video showing all the car and engine etc, mileage. Answered all our questions.
Arranged all the paperwork for us and took the car to near the airport for when we arrived in the UK.

CalistoNoSolo · 05/02/2023 21:18

Yes, my last two. Both part-ex, both delivered foc, both with 3 months full warranty. No problem with either and I do a high yearly mileage.

FenghuangHoyan · 05/02/2023 21:25

Just bought a car from Bristol Street Motors as well today. It's being delivered from Scotland. The guy doing the video was great and answered all my questions and it's coming with years mot and warranty and just been given a full service. Also comes taxed, with £30 of petrol and 30 days of insurance.

Take pleased so far and the price and warranty was great. I did have to pay for delivery, but they reduced this.

hattie43 · 05/02/2023 21:37

Yes Cinch .
Absolutely perfect experience and car is faultless .

DosCervezas · 05/02/2023 22:24

I've been buying excess stock, pre registered, almost zero mileage cars at big discounts over the phone after seeing them online for about 15 years. Never a problem as I researched the models and they are always as new. Not sure I'd buy a car with more than a few hundred miles on without seeing it in person.
Unfortunately the next to zero miles pre registered market doesn't really exist anymore as manufacturers don't have any excess stock with chip shortages. Hence doubled prices and waiting listsm

MeganLogan · 05/02/2023 22:25

Cazoo here - I won’t go to a car lot again. It was so easy, no pressure and I could look at cars at my own pace.

Overfortiessocialclub · 05/02/2023 22:34

Yes I’ve used basically all of the, cazoo, cinch as well as local dealers. I really like them - the biggest advantage is 14 day money back period which you don’t get in face to face purchase. They always give the money back within about a week and I’ve had no problem with cars they also tend to be a little cheaper. Cazoo now charges for delivery which is a pain and getting through to them on phone I found tricky.

Cyclistmumgrandma · 05/02/2023 22:41

Yes. Car was not as advertised, missing some bells and whistles. Rang up and let them know and the car was collected and replaced. No hassles.

practicepracticepractice · 05/02/2023 22:44

Cazoo - it was a great experience. Car is exactly as I expected. The entire experience was brilliant.

ThisIsWednesday · 05/02/2023 22:45

We did and it was fantastic.

Then on day 99 of our 100 day guarantee, Carzam or whatever it was called went into administration. By that time we weren't bothered anyway cos the car is brilliant and was at a price we were happy to pay.

We saw the car online and that night we'd been approved and given a bank loan (much better cost than car finance) and bought the car the following day. We had to wait over a week for delivery but it arrived spotless.

jojo21x · 10/02/2023 15:43

It feels a bit wrong really but I suppose if you are certain of the model you want and trim level etc it would be ok. But I would want to at least test drive a similar car even if its not the one I eventually buy - its the small things like the comfiness of the seats, where the window switches, cup holders, armrests are, how easy it is to reverse etc etc that make one car more appealing than another. Having said that you can get used to anything I suppose!

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 10/02/2023 15:46

I used buyacar.co.uk and so did my brother.

Both cars were excellent. In fact it's the car I've kept the longest so far (5years) now it's fully paid off I'll keep it as long as it'll go. Very good experience of them.

Zoutdroopje · 10/02/2023 15:50

Yes from Cinch. Bought a 3 year old hatchback with low mileage to replace a similar car. Paid upfront.

One of the tyres was damaged on delivery but they arranged a repair the same day. Apart from that I was happy with all aspects and I would choose that again rather than using a dealer for a used car.

Only issues were a lack of mats in the car and no spare wheel but we just bought those.

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