Is this normal? Car purchase questions

msmalls74

msmalls74

msmalls74

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Joined
4 Aug 2006
Posts
7,894
Location
Stevenage , Wisbech
Went to look at a car near staines, primera (P12 new revision) 1.8SX on an 05 plate with 46K for 3.5K, mot till 07/11 and part service. The bloke who was selling used part of a citroen van garage to sell his cars, and he lived next door where he did his dealing from. Car seemed fine no probs apart from a rattling rear view mirror, he did the normal "someone phoned about it and i turned himaway", took car out for a drive with him surprised to note we didnt use trade plates (is that legal?) had a chat as we went along he said he knew the car well but didnt know about the mirror rattling away.
Then went to his house to have a chat, told me the service was pretty up to date but i could only find stamps upto 20K (2007) in the book, he then got phone call again about someone wanting to look at the car told them some one was looking at it now but had a bit of a smile on his face. Showed me the MOT and all history of previous on the MOT website only had 2 advisiories for tyres so its been looked after ok. He would only take cash or bankers draft no card services, all the cars ive bought in last 10 years have been card only and never took cash.
Doesnt sound to strange but is it normal practice for a dealer to only take cash, work from his house, not have trade plates, spend more time checking my car out than trying to sell me his. Also the blokes next door seemed quite chatty with him when we left and was laughing and joking with him were they the mystery caller ? Am i being a bit paranoid? He said he would offer me 3 months P&L warranty (non insuranced based) but something just didnt seem right or is this how many car traders work in London?
 
Could be a small dealer, perfectly plausible. Trade plates are only needed if the car isnt taxed.

Doesnt sound like the greatest dealer and I'd want a car that had been fully serviced anyway
 
It is plausible. The phone call trick is one of the oldest in the book. If YOU'RE not happy then walk away! Simples!

edit: I would be a little worried about the lack of S/H. Especially for a new(ish) car like that.
 
If it doesn't feel right then go elsehwere.

The cash only is probably because he doesn't want to pay tax. It's common in the motor trade. I had the same thing happen a few months a go, a professional bodyshop with a large premises, website etc I went to pay and said do you take card, the chap replied ''No, we have to pay tax on that you see'' - like it was a normal thing to say!
 
iaind said:
Could be a small dealer, perfectly plausible. Trade plates are only needed if the car isnt taxed.

Doesnt sound like the greatest dealer and I'd want a car that had been fully serviced anyway
Click to expand...

Car wasnt taxed, ran out 07/10, done an HPI check and all seems fine.
Problem is there isnt many of these around unless i want to drive 100+ miles but if i need too then i will.
 
I know a few dealers/traders who operate the same, well a little better than that but similar. Sounds like he got someone to call while you were there to make you rush in.
As said earlier trade plates only if car aint taxed Etc.
 
It's a bloke flogging cars on the cheap from his house, buying them from auction, whacking a grand on the price and flogging them without offering what you'd usually get from a dealer.

If the car is decent and well priced then sure but it doesnt sound like its either, so why bother?
 
The fact that it is missing service history for nearly half of it's life would have sent me walking anyway, the silly games (which the phone calls probably were) would be the final nail in the coffin.

Unfortunately this sort of behaviour can be described as "normal" due to the amount of dodgy dealers out there, but there is no reason you should fall for it. Walk away.
 
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