Has anyone bought a car without seeing it?

I bought my Nissan GTIR after seeing 6 photos. Didn't really have much choice as it was in Japan at the time. Parted with £4.5K for a bunch of photos.

Also, only about 6 week ago on a whim, I bought a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0. Off ebay with only 4 pics. I wasn't the highest bidder but got a 2nd chance offer. It was in monmouth and I was doing a down and back from wales to oxford on the Sunday. As the banks were shut I paid with paypal (not bloomin cheap!)

Turned up and he handed me the keys and said "Do you want to look round it" I replied "Whats the point, I've already paid for it"

Its been fine up to now and for some reason I absolutely love it.

Having said all that I really wouldn't recommend it.
 
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Bought my 1 series without seeing it. Test drove a few before and knew the specification I wanted so when I found the one I wanted I jumped on it.
 
ste_bla said:
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!
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Indeed,

I rang one up, has it got full dealer history?
yes
has it had a timing belt change
yes

drove 230 mile round trip and it had evidence of neither.
 
my dad bought one and hed only had a quick glance at the outside

it caught him tho as the inside was a disgrace, luckily the dealer sorted it all out tho

p.s. it was £16,995
 
:)do you know what i smell? bull poo! Tbh it sounds like salesman bull. Be rational about it.

for the record yes i've bid unseen but if the car had not been as described pictured i would have told the vendor to go jump.
 
i have never, and will never buy a car without seeing it. Couldn't imagine anything more stupid, unless it was proper cheap or an import.

OP, maybe expand your search a bit, when you're spending 6k on a car - you won't really mind spending an extra hours travel time and few quid in petrol, to make sure its the car you want, right?
 
Bought my 2nd Rover 214 off eBay after seeing a few pictures.

Turned out to be a mint example.

Bought my 420 Turbo off a guy on another forum, only going off pictures. Was exactly as described.

If not as described, I suppose you could refuse it?
 
:eek: Not on your Nelly :p
I've bid up on motors but I have already spoken to the Dude on the phone & they know in no uncertain terms if it isn't Exactly how they describe it in the ad & on the phone I'll not only walk away but expect any expences occurred :mad: I kind of get Heavy with them knowing that they would rather not sell to me than sell to me. If a seller puts up with my terms/questions/attitude then i know they are worth a visit. Even so I still go & inspect the motor & Drive it Before getting my money out.
I don't care what the Law is or What Rules some one else has or a site or Auction has, When i deal it's My rules or **** Off !!!
I do know people that buy unseen though but that is at the other end of the market when you are talking about a year old car with 26k up it FSH of a Dealer or something similar. Not for me though.
 
bought dozens withoutseeing although i used to do scrap and rarely paid over a ton
 
R124/LA420 said:
A friend of mine bought his 745iL (new) without seeing it.
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FLASH **** :p

Can imagine him standing at his door waiting with his wood in his hand, looks at the speedo & see's it has 1.3 miles on it. Nope ring the Police it's Moody, it says in the ad less than a Mile :D
 
malc30 said:
FLASH **** :p

Can imagine him standing at his door waiting with his wood in his hand, looks at the speedo & see's it has 1.3 miles on it. Nope ring the Police it's Moody, it says in the ad less than a Mile :D
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:D
He's not quite like that, he's certainly not poor though, he's still got it 5 years later - BIG depreciation hit! - Same as he took on his previous E38 7 Series.
 
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