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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you've ever bought a car...

18 replies

Fishfingerschickendippers · 07/02/2023 00:09

miles away from home and did you regret it? Posting for traffic as I don't think there is a car section on here anymore?!

I've been looking to buy a newer car for at least a year now, mainly because mine is getting old and will need lots of work doing to it soon. I've already spent a fair bit on it and it's not worth much anymore. I've seen one that ticks all the boxes, but it's nearly 5 hours away from home. I know I'd only need to drive there once to see it and if I liked it I could have it delivered, but I'm concerned that if anything were to go wrong whilst still under warranty I'd either have to drive it all the way back to be fixed, or suck it up and pay for it myself at a different garage closer to home. It would probably be cheaper that way, but then what would be the point in having the warranty in the first place...

I've been looking at others a bit closer but their not right, either due to mileage or age etc. There doesn't seem to be much stock available atm either.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Pyewhacket · 07/02/2023 00:27

You’d need to check it out thoroughly before you could make an informed decision so take somebody with you who knows what to look for. Also make sure you’re buying it from somebody kosher. If you are suspicious or it seems too good to be true then walk away.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 07/02/2023 00:27

Why not one of the sites that give you 14 days to change your mind?

watchesrubber · 07/02/2023 00:29

I bought my most recent car from a dealership 3 hours a way. The dealership has UK branches and very good reviews so I bought it without seeing it (other than a video). I admit I gulped a bit when I transferred 10k into their account.

It's all worked out very well though. I had some minor snagging issues and they booked me into a local branch to get them fixed. Had no problems at all with the car and I love it. I'd buy from them again.

SavoirFlair · 07/02/2023 00:37

Pyewhacket · 07/02/2023 00:27

I always find generic comments like these so weird and fascinatingly unhelpful. Let’s break this down.:

You’d need to check it out thoroughly before you could make an informed decision so take somebody with you who knows what to look for.

Do we all have that general mechanic in our phone book or friendship group, who is willing to make a 12 hour round trip to see a car and “know what to look for”?

wow.

Also make sure you’re buying it from somebody kosher.

What does this actually mean? How does someone “make sure” of this without resorting to simply buying from a dealership that has national presence or reputation?

If you are suspicious or it seems too good to be true then walk away.

What? I mean, this is greetings-card or memes level of advisory. Of course this is true. But what criteria should OP apply here

SavoirFlair · 07/02/2023 00:38

VeniVidiWeeWee · 07/02/2023 00:27

Why not one of the sites that give you 14 days to change your mind?

They all do, if they offer distance selling. It’s law - since 2014, there’s a 14 day cooling off if buying a car through distance sale (not at the premises of the dealership).

Samanabanana · 07/02/2023 00:39

We bought an approved used Volvo online from miles away without seeing it or test driving it. Knew we liked that sort of car and knew we would be protected with warranty if it went tits. No regrets!

ThreeLittleDots · 07/02/2023 00:43

I arranged to meet an independent mechanic when viewing the car. Only cost his hourly rate and came on the test drive.

But the 14 days Cazoo and other distance selling offers may reassure you.

Pyewhacket · 07/02/2023 00:59

SavoirFlair · 07/02/2023 00:37

I always find generic comments like these so weird and fascinatingly unhelpful. Let’s break this down.:

You’d need to check it out thoroughly before you could make an informed decision so take somebody with you who knows what to look for.

Do we all have that general mechanic in our phone book or friendship group, who is willing to make a 12 hour round trip to see a car and “know what to look for”?

wow.

Also make sure you’re buying it from somebody kosher.

What does this actually mean? How does someone “make sure” of this without resorting to simply buying from a dealership that has national presence or reputation?

If you are suspicious or it seems too good to be true then walk away.

What? I mean, this is greetings-card or memes level of advisory. Of course this is true. But what criteria should OP apply here

Show quote history

I find smart arse comments like yours annoyingly stupid.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 07/02/2023 01:53

SavoirFlair · 07/02/2023 00:38

They all do, if they offer distance selling. It’s law - since 2014, there’s a 14 day cooling off if buying a car through distance sale (not at the premises of the dealership).

Show quote history

@SavoirFlair

"They all do, if they offer distance selling. It’s law - since 2014, there’s a 14 day cooling off if buying a car through distance sale (not at the premises of the dealership)."

Because the OP suggested they were prepared to travel a long distance to buy a car that was not subject to distance selling rules?

Whatmarbles · 07/02/2023 02:08

I bought a car about an hour away with a 3 month warranty. I had an engine fault light come on, so used that warranty.
There are approved garages all over, I took it to one in my local town.
Not sure if all warranties are the same though, the one the garage provided was an RAC one.

TentCampByTheHippoRiver · 07/02/2023 02:08

You can view previous MOTS for a vehicle using the number plate on the DVLA or www.gov.uk websites

Do not give any money before seeing in person

There are lots of scammers on line

BarbaraofSeville · 07/02/2023 04:48

In your case OP, it depends on the age and condition of the car and who's selling it.

Within warranty from a main dealer or car supermarket, they'll be set up for distance selling with extensive information, photos and videos and while there's unlikely to be any serious issues, you have rights and possibly a closer garage you can use if necessary.

An older car from a member of the public it's pretty much sold as seen but they're unlikely to deliver it so it either this doesn't apply or if it does, you could ask the seller to send a video then use something like the RAC service to check it out.

BarbaraofSeville · 07/02/2023 04:53

But then obviously there is the scam aspect to be aware of.

Definitely don't send money to buy a car online unless you're sure you're buying from an established dealer or car supermarket.

Magenta65 · 07/02/2023 04:56

BIL recently did this, he contacted the garage how were happy to send a very detailed video over to him of inside and out and under the bonnet etc. He put a deposit down then and went to collect it 4 hours away. He’s very happy. Not unusual. Double check if they have an affiliated garages they could transfer to. Be aware you can’t always have it delivered, not every garage offers this so you would need to drive it home yourself.

BarbaraofSeville · 07/02/2023 04:57

If from a dealer you can also ask to pay a deposit by credit card

They probably won't accept the whole amount due to fees but this makes the credit card company jointly liable for the whole purchase as long as the car costs under £30k, so you have extra protection if something goes wrong.

TentCampByTheHippoRiver · 07/02/2023 05:02

Try looking for a different sort of car, which is located much closer to where you live

5 hour journey each way, is only worth it, if you are a car enthusiast or classic car owner

As I said there are loads of scammers online selling too good to be true cars, motohomes, camper vans, property, holidays, jobs

Buyer beware !

Ssplicer · 07/02/2023 05:45

What sort of car are you looking for ?
What criteria

Whoneedsleep · 07/02/2023 06:09

I wouldn’t.

I bought a complete disaster a while ago. It’s been back to the garage multiple times despite being under warranty. I’ve also had to go in to speak to managers directly to complain or sort things out because they ignored my phone calls.

I was unlucky but it would have been even worse being so far away.

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