Has anyone bought a car without seeing it?

Slinkie · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:46

Hi folks,

I've just got off the phone to a car dealer asking about a car I've seen on autotrader. He told me the car in question has gone but he's getting another in on Monday. He said that due to the fact that most of his sales happen over the Internet there's a good chance that the car will be sold before Monday afternoon when I'll have the time to see it. Now this seems a bit suspect to me as I can't imagine buying a car without seeing it and just having a description to go by (the dealer said a lot of his cars are sold before he actually gets hold of them!).. I'm going to hold out until Monday and if its gone before then then I'll look elsewhere.

The car in question is a 1.6l zetec s and they are very rare near to me. I searched for cars within 40 miles of me and this car is the only one from a dealer in my price range of 6k (I'm looking at dealers only to trade in my current car to save me the hassle of selling it privately).

Has anyone had any experience of this and is it a common thing to do?

Thanks

Matt

Ben M · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:49

My dad bought a pre-reg volvo from a car supermarket without seeing it prior to picking it up. He hadn't even driven one anywhere else either. Pretty foolish, because he does a lot of miles (july 03 car, now has 175k on the clock). He's quite happy with it though, so he wasn't punished for his foolishness.

I really wouldn't buy a used car without seeing it first though.

Housey · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:52

Offer him a deposit on the car subject to viewing, and ensure you get it confirmed in writing via Fax to that effect if you really want it. Dealers will always want to push you to buy, and implying a car will most likely be sold today, tomorrow, next day is rule 1 in the "how to be a car trader" book. It will probably be there next week, but you new know and if you think its an appealing deal secure the car for viewing with some refundable money.

loltim · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:53

Yep, bought mine based on reputation of the seller. I'd never even sat in it, only seen photos.

Firestar_3x · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:54

Import tim?

That really falls into the 'no other option' category, its not like going out to buy a 1.6 focus without viewing.

Bradley8988 · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:54

i gave a £100 deposit on a car after seeing one photo but it paid off and i got a real bargin!

ste_bla · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:55

Slinkie said:
Has anyone had any experience of this and is it a common thing to do?

Thanks

Matt

It is normal for dealers to exaggerate / outright lie.

How would it possibly sell over the net if he's not getting it till tomorrow ie photos take a while to got online etc

I remember one last week "yeah we've only had it 2 days so put down a deposit or it could be gone tomorrow" the ebay classified advert was put on a month before hand!

loltim · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:56

Firestar_3x said:
Import tim?

I'm the 2nd UK owner. I basically bought it from a trusted guy on a Civic forum.

Richdog · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:56

Slinkie said:
Hi folks,

I've just got off the phone to a car dealer asking about a car I've seen on autotrader. He told me the car in question has gone but he's getting another in on Monday. He said that due to the fact that most of his sales happen over the Internet there's a good chance that the car will be sold before Monday afternoon when I'll have the time to see it. Now this seems a bit suspect to me as I can't imagine buying a car without seeing it and just having a description to go by (the dealer said a lot of his cars are sold before he actually gets hold of them!).. I'm going to hold out until Monday and if its gone before then then I'll look elsewhere.

The car in question is a 1.6l zetec s and they are very rare near to me. I searched for cars within 40 miles of me and this car is the only one from a dealer in my price range of 6k (I'm looking at dealers only to trade in my current car to save me the hassle of selling it privately).

Has anyone had any experience of this and is it a common thing to do?

Thanks

Matt

Have you tried searching for cars within 60 or 100 miles instead? May be a bit further but it's only a train ride away and may mean you have more choice, and don't have to have this hassle.

k3v · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:59

its a focus at the end of the day, surely another will be available soon, don't buy without seeing it

Berger · 8 Mar 2008 at 19:59

Richdog said:
Have you tried searching for cars within 60 or 100 miles instead? May be a bit further but it's only a train ride away and may mean you have more choice, and don't have to have this hassle.

Exactly, ive always travelled to buy cars, 60, 180 and 260 miles to buy mine, never found what i wanted locally!

Whats an extra 50 miles of a journey, £8 in petrol, which when your spending a few thousand pounds on a car is worth it to make sure that its the "right" one.

Slinkie · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:02

Wow, quick responses guys, thanks!

I have seen pictures of the car but I can't buy it just from that. As I said there's no way I am buying the car etc without first seeing it. The dealer told me though that this is quite common and that often the car is sold before he actually has got hold of it. In this case it'd mean someone else enquiring about it could buy it tomorrow and pick it up on Monday when it is delivered to the dealership.

If the car was a bit newer then I could consider it but the cars in my price range are 30k miles 05 plates.

I just wanted to check how common this practice is? I've got my fingers crossed that it is still there on Monday. I am spending tomorrow test driving 1.4 zetec s fiestas just to get inside one (I haven't got that far yet on my quest to get a new car) and if I like them I'd like to compare the 1.6 to them before considering my options.

Thanks for the advice

Matt

Dreadi · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:03

yup, got my civic off ebay, all i had to go by were 3 poorish pictures

Slinkie · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:03

k3v said:
its a focus at the end of the day, surely another will be available soon, don't buy without seeing it

Sorry should have said it's a fiesta, I know there's another round the corner, I'm going to look further afeild now and make some equiries at ford dealerships tomorrow.

Firestar_3x · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:05

Ford just like most other large dealers, will search the computer and if you see anything you like will bring it to you, however you are usually tied into buying the car unless it has some major issue.

[TW]Fox · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:10

Absolutely not on a car like a Fiesta. Small deposit at the very most.

Slinkie · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:18

Just had a look at cars upto 200miles and still only the one I have enquired about :-/. I think I'd be lucky to find many more for 6k. Upping the price in autotrader to 8k brings back loads of results but I can't afford to pay that much. As I said I'll try out the 1.4s tomorrow and ask some questions at the dealerships.

Thanks

Matt

Lashout_UK · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:19

I wouldn't be keen on doing it on something I didn't know anything about though - i.e. I'd want a detailed description, know I wanted it and so on...

Anyway, yes, and transferred the total sum into the total stranger's bank account before travelling to collect it. I would only do it on something uncommon and of particular interest to me though, not on something easily attainable.

Mark A · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:19

I was thinking of doing this as i had seen a really nice example that was advertised at a lower price for the weekend only. I didn't end up doing as i had seen another nearer where i live but someone form here bought it and it was in excellent condition.

If you can secure it with a small deposit then I'd chance it if it means not having to wait ages for another. If you ring him and hes asking for a hefty deposit as they sometimes do then I'd leave it.

helpimcrap · 8 Mar 2008 at 20:38

i have - but it was a £50 escort