Buying a car from a private seller

[Nightpain]

I know this isnt exactly the motoring forum, but just looking for some general advice. Im a man by the way, which to some extent is relevant when discussing safety.

I am considering buying a car from a private seller, which I have never done before. Has MOT until November. I would pay £250 for one of those AA inspections.

But what other protections could/should I have?

I know not to meet at a neutral location as I need to know owner really lives at address.

Id visit to have a look at the car before buying and make sure seller clearly lives in that house.

Seller wants cash, have to say Im apprehensive about carrying a large amount of cash on me.

What protrections/recompense do I have against driving away and 200 yards later the engine blowing up? Aside from what I've stated above Im guessing none?

Would be grateful for any safety or practical advice anyone could give.

Thanks

I think none too.

It's risky enough buying a car from a dealer.

Check past MOT's:

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Note the mileage, is it regular? Has the car changed hands a lot in a short period of time?
Are there advisories every time for things like blown bulbs, washer bottles and wipers? That would indicate it's probably not been looked after the best.

Do a general search for the model and what to look for when buying. For example, early Fiat 500's have dodgy door handles, early Mini suffers power steering pump failures.

Thanks, I've already had a look at past MOTs and it seems pretty clean

I'd be suspicious that they want cash.

I'd be suspicious that they want cash.

Why? That’s fairly normal for private sales where it’s only a few grand involved.

OP - if you want the protection that buying from a trader gives you (and sometimes even that is not worth having) then you need to pay dealer prices. I buy mostly privately, but I know what I’m looking for.

There is no reason for it to be cash nowadays. Bank transfers are instant. And safer.

This is why I wouldn’t buy from a private seller - you have zero protection unless they actively lie to you (and you can prove it!).

Take a friend. Ask to see seller's driving license and be prepared to show yours. Only meet at the registered keeper's address.

Don't take money until after the AA check. That is, go to see the car, examine it and take a test drive. Pay small deposit if need be £100 to £250. Get a receipt. Organise AA check and assuming all OK pay balance when you collect car. Do look it over in case they've changed something (eg old for new tyres).

I guess it depends. If the seller is unfamiliar with online banking, and many people still are, they could view cash as being safer. Cash is a risk for them too given the amount of fake £20's currently in circulation.

I guess it depends. If the seller is unfamiliar with online banking, and many people still are, they could view cash as being safer.

We are looking at it from the buyer POV though. So there is no need to choose to buy a car from someone who insists on cash.

Correct, but as cash is also a risk to the seller I wouldn't necessarily view it as a red flag for that alone.
A lot depends on how much we're talking though.

Just don't. You have no consumer rights if anything goes wrong. With cars, always buy from a dealer.

Correct, but as cash is also a risk to the seller I wouldn't necessarily view it as a red flag for that alone.

Any risk to seller doesn't remove the risk of paying cash as a buyer. It's a choice you don't have to make.

That entirely depends on your appetite for risk. I’d much rather buy privately as you get to asses the previous owner and it’s certainly easier to get a feel as to how the car’s been looked after.

Make sure you get proper Id, get photocopies and proof of address and passport etc. If he is a genuine buyer then he won't mind.
Get any information about the car in writing and get a written receipt for the cash.

Check all his paperwork to do with the car.
Even as a private buyer he isn't allowed to defraud you. If he says it's an excellent little runner then it needs to be an excellent little runner. If it isn't you can go to the small claims court (assuming less that 10k). Even if you win if he doesn't have any money you might not be able to get it back
You also need to check there is no finance on the car. ( get him to confirm that in writing too)

There are checklists for people buying from private sellers online. Have a google.

I wouldn’t pay cash myself, unless it was under a grand or so. There’s just no reason to, everyone has a bank account so I’d insist on bank transfer.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with private sellers per se, and they’re often quite a bit better price wise than the equivalent at a dealer. But cash only leaves you open to being scammed or robbed, if nothing else. Just my 2p.