sorry meant to reply to the post above this but site went screwy and wasnt allowed....
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Buying a car unseen
- Thread starter BongoHunter
- Start date
Soldato
Wouldn't trust HPI as far as I could throw the report.
Looked at a car last year, dealer, HPI clear but something seemed off in the photos.
Did a vCheck (HPI, Salvage & Taxi checks). Turned out to be an unrecorded Cat S.
Soldato
When we bought the Cupra in October, we technically paid for it all without seeing it. It is a 2024 car, and was bought from the dealer but was approved used. I still did a car vertical check and spoke to the dealer several times. Had photos and personalised video. But then we also collected it in person rather than delivery. It was a positive experience.
I've bought without seeing close-up before with my Z4. Was the only example I liked the combo of exterior/interior colour (and also that had the straight 6 engine), so my options were limited. Arranged for it to be brought from the South-East to South Wales paying a £500 deposit, then inspected the car on pick-up.
Had two cosmetic issues that were visible in photos, which were sorted FOC and anything else came under the approved used warranty.
Had two cosmetic issues that were visible in photos, which were sorted FOC and anything else came under the approved used warranty.
This thread ended the minute I posted the link to CCR guidance and left it for the OP to review the facts and decide what they wanted to do.
You haven’t given any further insight, just personal opinion that it’s risky, but we know that. In fact that’s the entire premise of the thread.
It’s now down to the OP to decide if it is a risk they are willing to take given the facts and guidance provided. They can also decide if the anecdotes and personal opinion posted matters at all.
/Thread
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This thread ended the minute I posted the link to CCR guidance and left it for the OP to review the facts and decide what they wanted to do.
...
/Thread
That's very nice of you to think so, but just maybe the fact that a number of us disagree would suggest that your quoted comment is not fully accurate.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you're wrong about the rules/laws, rather that some dealers/salespeople don't always follow them.
The fact that you yourself stated that you knew you'd be unable to state that no one's ever been taken for a ride by some unscrupulous git rather validates the point.
Wouldn't it be easier to simply state that the laws ARE on the customer's side, but it's still appropriate to use a degree of caution with any car purchase?
I’m sorry but I said exactly that about the law and CCR being on the buyers side in my first response to the OP. I provided guidance and a link that also had links to the CCR laws. I also clarified how mitigate a lot of the main risks in doing this.
The OP now has what they need to help make a decision. I know the risks and the aversion to doing this. I personally prefer the on premise method if possible but know from experience that buying online is not as risky as it is made out, as long as you follow the correct advice.
In context of the OP. They are looking at an approved used delivered direct from BMW and the car is still covered under manufacturer warranty. The risks of this going totally **** up are very remote.
The OP now has what they need to help make a decision. I know the risks and the aversion to doing this. I personally prefer the on premise method if possible but know from experience that buying online is not as risky as it is made out, as long as you follow the correct advice.
In context of the OP. They are looking at an approved used delivered direct from BMW and the car is still covered under manufacturer warranty. The risks of this going totally **** up are very remote.
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Soldato
Approved used seems decent to me. I bought a 330e from BMW in Brighton a few months ago and it has been excellent. I always check MOT history before I really start diving into a car as it can be very revealing
Yeah it can take a long time for actual problems to manifest or become apparent. A quick view and test drive at a dealership only catches the absolute worst issues.
Hell most of us rule out cars based on photos and price and have a good idea of any issues long before we go see it. Though the low res photos you see online are worthless for spotting paint and or bodywork issues.
That’s why if buying online you need to ask for good hi res video and images with a commentary of known blemishes. A dealership should be happy to oblige and if not then walk away (virtually).
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Personally I wouldn't but mainly because my standards for what is acceptable cosmetically differ greatly from your average dealership.
Then again I wasn't particularly pleased with my last two company cars and those were pre-reg (10 miles on the clock) and brand new. If it was my own money I'd have rejected them both so I can definitely be classed as a fussy bugger
Then again I wasn't particularly pleased with my last two company cars and those were pre-reg (10 miles on the clock) and brand new. If it was my own money I'd have rejected them both so I can definitely be classed as a fussy bugger
Soldato
I think it depends on how many miles the car’s done. Mine had done just under 60k and I would imagine most issues would have shown themselves by that point
suspect its the bathtub (failure) curve - dealer preparation had failed to identify problem in the servo motors responsible for mixing any hot air into the drivers air flow of 3-zone system,
Do wonder if you had an all singing&dancing OBD scanner that would be invaluable to hookup to any car you just bought (saying that dealer I bought from said they don't have a comprehensive audi
obd scanner - pc based ISTA system individual can get for bmw's seems to be a pirated system, which I guess legit dealers wouldn't use - we need a right to repair/diagnose)
Do wonder if you had an all singing&dancing OBD scanner that would be invaluable to hookup to any car you just bought (saying that dealer I bought from said they don't have a comprehensive audi
obd scanner - pc based ISTA system individual can get for bmw's seems to be a pirated system, which I guess legit dealers wouldn't use - we need a right to repair/diagnose)
Soldato
I once bought a car unseen!
It was invisible...
I sold it though as i couldnt see myself driving it...
It was invisible...
I sold it though as i couldnt see myself driving it...