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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to buy a car online, unseen

46 replies

PanickedCarBuyer · 09/05/2022 10:41

I urgently need a new car. Mine has failed its MOT on something that is nowhere near cost-effective to fix, so I can't drive it.

I know what I want to replace it with but without a car, can't get to the only car dealerships which seem to have suitable vehicles available at the right price (they're all 1-2 hours away, motorway journeys). I don't have access to another car or any relative who could drive me.

Am I mad to consider a home delivery and buy one unseen? It's an established national dealer, not a main dealer but a car supermarket type thing, with branches all over the country; just not a branch that I can easily get to.

It's a newish car - 4 years old, low mileage, one owner, looks good on paper. There is a money back guarantee.

OP posts:

GaiaWise · 09/05/2022 14:26

We used Cazoo and were really happy with them. First car wasn’t right for us, refunded with no quibble and collected it and then delivered new car which was right for us.
it really is a 7 day test drive and you have delivery fee refunded plus no cost for collection so every penny is returned. They provide free insurance for that seven days so I didn’t arrange insurance until we decided to keep the second car.
They answer the phone quickly and respond quickly to emails too.
Would highly recommend.

Original poster

PanickedCarBuyer · 09/05/2022 14:27

badhappening · 09/05/2022 14:16

My friend did this and the car was terrible.
And it was also checked by the AA before it was delivered to her!! It was a big and costly mistake (£10k).
Her and her husband could have done the trip to check it out before the purchase (he had his own car), but they couldn't be bothered/thought it would be okay due to the AA check.

If the AA trained person didn't spot the issues with the car, I would have thought it unlikely that your friend and her husband would have done!

OP posts:

Mummysgonetobed · 09/05/2022 14:28

I bought one from Cinch last year, fabulous service and car, not a mark on it. Would do the same again. But I already knew what car I wanted so if you do then I’d say just go for it.

Monpetitjardin · 09/05/2022 14:33

We bought ours online during lockdown from Evans Halshaw. Everything went very smoothly, no issues at all.

Shmithecat2 · 09/05/2022 14:35

I wouldn't - but only because I might not like the feel/drive of the car if I hadn't driven a similar model before. But YANBU.

summerlovinvibes · 09/05/2022 14:37

Got mine from Carzam last year, it's great. I went and test drove the type I thought I wanted in a garage, and then went online and bought - saved a few thousands. Like others - video of car "live time" sent when it was having MOT and service etc done. No issues at all so far. Amazing that it just arrived on my doorstep - sooo easy and will def do again

Oblomov22 · 09/05/2022 14:37

What's their return policy if you aren't happy?

Purplehonesty2 · 09/05/2022 17:06

I've done this too and got it shipped up from liverpool with a transporter company.

Was a great car and exactly as described.

BigMamaFratelli · 09/05/2022 17:10

I bought one from Cinch a couple of months ago and I'm so glad I did. Bloody love the car and the customer service was excellent. And it came with a full tank of petrol😁

mangoallergy · 09/05/2022 17:17

I brought mine online last February. Realized in July the cold AC isn't working. Otherwise happy with it. And to be fair if I went for test drive or a view, I wouldn't remember to try the cold ac in February...

hattie43 · 09/05/2022 17:19

I bought from Cinch last year . Fantastic experience and would definitely recommend .

I'd never bought unseen on line and just couldn't be bothered going from garage to garage . I knew the car I wanted and found it on Cinch

TonTonMacoute · 09/05/2022 17:44

We bought one from an authorised dealer, it was second hand but had lots of guarantees.

A nice man called Colin drove from Birmingham to Cornwall and it was great. No problems.

Shade17 · 09/05/2022 17:50

Mine has failed its MOT on something that is nowhere near cost-effective to fix, so I can't drive it.

Has the existing MOT expired? If not, you may still be able to drive it.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/05/2022 17:56

We are an independent motor dealer. We do home delivery all over the country. Lots of people are more than happy to buy a car without seeing it. Check out their reviews and their warranty. As a Distance Sale the customer has a lot more rights than if they had been to the showroom in person. Legally they can hand the car back to us within 14 days with no reason given at all and we have to refund in full. Cazoo advertise a 7 day money back policy and Cinch (I think) advertise 14 days. It's a clever marketing ploy but the reality is they have to give 14 days by law. But I presume a lot of people maybe wouldn't automatically realise it applies with cars. But it definitely does. We had a beautiful Audi S3 handed back a few months ago, purely because the buyer changed their mind due to fuel economy. We had to return his part exchange to his home 250 miles away and give him a full refund. Cost us about £500 all in, but that's the law.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 09/05/2022 17:58

Oh yes I will also add, if it's Cazoo I personally think they're fantastic. We have bought a couple of personal cars from them and both were brilliant. The process was so simple. We actually handed one back as we decided electric wasn't for us just yet, and even that was really simple.

Trafficblight · 09/05/2022 18:23

I have before and it had the 3 month warranty that covered a network of garages across the country. I'd say though if you aren't familiar with the size etc of the car you're buying might be more of a risk as you have the mechanical elements (although unless you're really knowledgeable anyway can be hard to know even if see it in person), and the car itself might not be what you thought it would be like.

Original poster

PanickedCarBuyer · 09/05/2022 18:31

I am surprised and relieved to read all this positive feedback. Off I go to place an order. I hate buying cars!

OP posts:

earsup · 09/05/2022 18:40

I got a 3 year old micra off ebay....19 years ago....still going...lovely seller...paid small deposit and went to bolton to collect it...amazing car ....still going well...
if people have air con, run it each month as it lubricates the rubber seals....if not it needs regassing etc.....

Ireolu · 09/05/2022 18:42

I wouldn't but we recently sold to we buy any car and out car has been put up for sale with glaring issues that have not been fixed from when we owned it. The car also leaked we told the person we were selling it too and he didn't seem too interested. It wasn't an obvious issue until it rained very hard. We obviously got significantly less than they r trying to sell it for. We have just found the entire thing a little dodgy. Doesn't really help your situation but if there r reputable companies out there I hope you have a good experience.

NeedAnOffSwitch · 09/05/2022 20:54

I just spent £19K on a car unseen through Carzam in March. Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. My new car is very much my baby.

Squeezyhug · 09/05/2022 21:00

I bought a car on auto trader.
Because of the long distance, I arranged an inspection by RAC for around £220 ( including test drive) waited for the report which was good put down a small deposit of £100 then took train down to collect the car a week later.
Fab car with no issues.
I’d do the same again

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