buying second hand car

[janela]

What are the scams I should look out for when buying a second hand car privately. I recently went to look at one, looked OK, he said it had full service history and he would bring it to me the next day along with the car. When he came he had mysteriously mislaid the service history and only had the tear off slip that the buyer gets off the registration document. Again, it had mysteriously disappeared something about his friend had been looking after it etc. etc. Sounded fishy and I sent him on his way. Are there things that ought to raise the hackles when going to look at a car and things I should do, or ask to try and establish whether this is some kind of scam. I know there are a lot of people pretending to sell privately when they are actually dealing or selling stolen cars from laybys and driveways. Help appreciated from anyone who has experienced this kind of thing.

[Ethel]

1. Always take somebody with you.
2. Always view the car at the seller's home. Ask to use the toilet if you are not invited in.
3. Inspect all the relevant service history and registration documents at the time of viewing
4. If you find a car you are sure you want to buy, invest �20 in a HPI check.
http://www.hpicheck.com/newfrontend/
5. Suspiciously low mileage? Check the driver side carpet, seat and the pedals for wear and tear.
6. Put the mobile phone number and landline number in to google - does it bring up car adverts?

[Gizmonster]

For starters - make sure you def don't buy from a car that's advertised in a lay-by, on a street, etc - you'll have no come-back whatsovever if there's any problems with the car. The only contact detail you'll prob have, is a mobile phone number (no address etc).
If you are buying from someone who claims to be a private seller - don't let them bring the car to you - meet them at their address and make sure that the log sheet is intact and that you are at the address printed on the log-sheet.
The safest way is to buy from a dealer. Okay, you'll prob pay slightly more - but a dealer has certain obligations that they must fulfill, so if there is a problem with the car - you do have some (albeit limited) legal protection.

[R1Geezer]

7. never buy a car in the darl
8. Never buy a car that is wet
9. Check all te panel gaps are uniform
10. look along the sides from in front or behind, if there are ripples it's had a smack.
11. take a magnet wrap in a tissue so you don't do any damage and run along the panels if it doesn't stick there's filler, so it's been hit.
12. Check typres for uneven wear, could just be tracking but may be twisted chassis.
13. If it has service history, phe one of the garages and get them to confirm they services the car.
14 Check all the electrical things work, they are expensive to fix.
15. Check for small bits of paint wear it should not be, evidence of crash repairs.
16. Check inside the engine bay, if it has any fine brown dust, the engine has overheated and will never be the same again. It may have been cleaned up so check place they would have missed, cooked engine = warped block = head gasket problems.

do not even bother driving it if the above do not check out.

[code1]

Pay for an AA or RAC car check.

ALWAYS have a HPI check done.

When you ring up and ask for a viewing, ask if its ok to bring your mate that works for the Police along...if the phone slams down then move on to the next ad !!!!!

[gsr600]

have a look here for further info

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Car-Sale-Scams-How-t o-spot-a-fraud_W0QQugidZ10000000001971068QQ_tr ksidZp3286.c0.m17

[abstract]

avoid buying a car from ANYONE in a sheepskin coat,fishermans hat,chunky gold jewelry that goes by the name of delboy!

[sara3]

personally, I'd pay as much as I could afford and buy from a reputable dealer with a reasonable warranty. you want a reliable car and you want to be safe.

but good advice guys.. you know all the tips and tricks!