Buying from Private Seller

[gigi556]

Found the exact make and model car I'm looking for through a private seller. Car is 10 years old and cost is around £2k (I think this is relevant). It's not had a new timing chain and there is only one month left on the MOT. We have not viewed or test driven yet but have spoken to the seller and plan to go see this week. It's been owned by current sellers about 4 years and they have service history. DH reckons there's about £500 worth of work needed without even looking at it just because it needs an MOT and time chain hasn't been done (car is at 88k miles). Is it actually worth getting a vehicle check through RAC/AA (or similar) before buying just so we know what we are getting into? They are expensive - £150-200.

They are asking £2350. Looking at Parker's valuation and having looked online a lot it seems a fair price from a dealer. Should you really get much discount from a private seller? Parker's seems to think buying privately might save you £1k

Is it a model know for timing chain issues? Most are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. I’d be asking the seller to put it through an MOT as well to at least see if you have any issues picked up there.

I'd walk.

The mileage and price alone of this mysterious car makes me shudder.

Fuck that.

Spend £1000 on a Toyota or Honda, spend £300-500 getting any work done and enjoy years of happy motoring.

Curious - what car is it though? That too is relevant re pricing and everything else. Probably something "German"??

It's a Citreon C4. I think from looking around the price is fair. They seem to have a genuine reason for sale. I really wanted an automatic and low tax band it's basically the only car made during the time period we looking at which features both of those! The insurance where we live is astronomical and neither my husband nor I have had a car for over 5 years so no no claims.

I'm actually not sure now if it's a time chain or belt and I'll need to have a look when we see the car.

@FartingInTheFence 88k is quite low mileage in my books so I'm not sure what you mean

I think an auto C4 is bound to be trouble! They were shit when they were new and I doubt 10 years will have done it any favours. Normally I’d agree that 88k is absolutely nothing for a modern car but in this case run as fast as you can.

C4 will be belt driven.

Timing chains rarely, if ever need changing.

88k might look low mileage, but it isnt. The car is a decade-plus old, wont have the same strength or longevity either. The water pump will need changing too.

And being French, its a disaster waiting to happen. I wouldnt touch it with a shitty stick. Still, your money....

Never buy a shitroen. I had one for six months (a shitasso) and I spent as much in maintenance as I did on the car. Once the dash was a literal Christmas tree (ironically on Boxing Day) when the fan belt flew off when I accelerated a bit too quickly.

I would always change a timing belt within recommendations but from memory that's normally 100k or 5-7 years.

Did you buy it OP?

Sounds like this guy is trying his luck and expects negotiations. Private should be a fair amount less than trade. Trade gets to charge more because of the apparent protection you get. They also have to make a profit from buying it from various sources including private.

If its 10 years old and they have not changed the belt then walk. Sounds like its been run on a budget.