Buying Used Car Privately

Greem85 on 12/05/2021 - 11:36

I am looking at buying a used car. I have been browsing carsales.com.au, and I did spot quite a few cars I'd be interested in, but I dunno how to get the ball rolling because I am not too sure of what to pay attention to.

I already know I should:
- check rego on Services NSW
- check if car does not have any finance on it on Services NSW

I am not a car mechanic though, so even when Ill see the car I wont know if there something obviously wrong with it.
Can OzBrgain swarm mind rain down on me some common experience in that department, as in:
- what are the obvious red flags when buying privately?
- what are the best ways of assessing car's state during inspection?
- any other good pieces of advice

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • iDroid on 12/05/2021 - 11:47
    +6

    | what are the best ways of assessing car's state during inspection?

    Take it to your/a mechanic.

    • Greem85 on 12/05/2021 - 11:55
      +2

      I have been wondering about how does that work - is it reasonable to ask the seller to bring the car over to a car mechanic of my choice? Alternatively, if the seller says I should take it myself if I want to jump through that hoop, what is a reasonable deposit to give for the time car is in my possession?

      I would assume that if the seller refuses assessment by a car mechanic of my choice, it should be a red flag straight away?

      • Porker on 12/05/2021 - 12:08
        +1

        There are vehicle inspectors that will come to your location.

        I'd suggest not taking the car yourself to a mechanic as should it be damaged etc, then it's on you to replace and prove that you didn't do it (assuming you didn't do it).

        Seller is unlikely to take it to a mechanic for your piece of mind either, as there's also the possibility you won't purchase it. Their not agreeing to go to mechanic of your choice may simply be time limitations rather than hiding something for a 'red flag'.

        • kolorijo on 12/05/2021 - 14:27
          +1

          I have been lucky enough with the seller who was willing to go to my mechanic. It was surprising to see what the mechanic can find out too - the front side of the car has been involved in an accident and repainted and it was an ok job only (not great) and was quickly found by him and the computer was showing some error code as well. The seller offered to knock few hundreds of the price afterwards which I comfortably accepted.

          In short, it doesn't hurt to ask whether they are willing to go to your mechanic to have the car checked.

        • bobkin on 12/05/2021 - 14:38
          +3

          As a seller recently I was happy to take the car to the buyer’s mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection

      • dirtybigbjelke on 12/05/2021 - 14:43
        +2

        Yes walk away if they are unwilling to let you get the car inspected. The saying goes "Buy the seller not the car". Don't feel pressured by the seller and be prepared to walk away if things feel hinky.

    • EightImmortals on 12/05/2021 - 14:52

      Ask the seller to authorise their mechanic to speak to you about the cars service history. It wont give you a watertight guarantee but it's better than nothing.

  • kolorijo on 12/05/2021 - 11:52
    +7

    Check https://www.ppsr.gov.au/

    Completing a $2 PPSR vehicle search can tell you if a car has been previously reported as written-off.

  • Caped Baldy on 12/05/2021 - 12:08
    +3

    Get a mobile mechanic or friend to help you. Go yourself the first time and bring the mechanic for a follow up inspection.

    • what are the obvious red flags when buying privately? scratches, dings, miscoloured panels, check the log book,

    • what are the best ways of assessing car's state during inspection? driving it and seeing how it feels and try listening for funny sounds - turn off the radio. For example, my sister's car makes a rubbing noise when it is at max wheel lock on the right.

    • any other good pieces of advice. Ask why they're selling. Stereotype the location and people and trust your gut…. A friend put a deposit down for a car from a middle eastern guy around Auburn and told me how she bargained him down… She said that he dropped the price a few grand to around $10k for a low km three year old car I got very suspicious. He sent a screenshot of a single page of the ppsr report which chopped out the juicy info which was later revealed to be a repaired write off. Fortunately my friend got her money after threatening legal action. Not saying everyone is dodgy but just be cautious and if it's to good to be true, it probably is.

    Also, make sure to get insurance!

    There's also like a hundred posts about this topic so have a look in the forums.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/buying%20car%20guid…

    • kolorijo on 12/05/2021 - 14:32
      +3

      Yes, don't drive your newly bought car without an insurance. It will be a horrible punch to the gut if you ends up in an accident.

    • SlavOz on 14/05/2021 - 08:17
      +1

      Stereotype the location and people and trust your gut

      Golden advice, it really is. When there's this much money involved, you don't need to be polite. If the car/seller is from a trashy/low income area, be very careful. People who live in these areas are usually low-lifes who'll sell their own mother for a quick buck. If the seller looks lazy, ungroomed, and unemployed, be suspicious.

      I always buy my cars from sellers in rich areas if possible. Sure, rich people are scummy in their own way but they're unlikely to risk getting caught up in a dispute over a used car. They're too busy with their high paying job. In fact I've been lucky enough to find sellers in rich areas who were generous enough to drop the price considerably because they just wanted the car gone and didn't like having a depreciating asset sitting around costing them money. Smart people.

      That being said, you'll always get treated the same way you treat others. If you're an (profanity) in life (or during the selling process), the seller will be too. A little decency and good spirit goes a long way.

      • Caped Baldy on 14/05/2021 - 09:49

        Yeah, I bought a car from the northern suburbs of Sydney and didn't bother with getting a mechanic to check it. Guy had a pretty nice house so I doubt he'd try and screw me over a couple thousand. He did say there was capped price service which had conveniently finished when I went to get the first service :/

  • StraightGuy on 12/05/2021 - 13:16
    +6

    You can also take a piece of cardboard with you. Put it under the front of the car, start the car and let it run for good few minutes. Turn the steering wheel, turn On/Off AC, etc, etc to see if there's any oil leakage or anything. Will save you bucks in long run.

    Also check the tyres thread, you can usually feel the thread by sliding your finger over the thread indicator or you can buy this

    https://www.repco.com.au/en/4x4-adventure-escape/travel-tour…

    Some sellers, already start the car before the buyer is coming so the temperature is normal and you can hide cold start noises. It's better to hear cold start noises. You can get an idea on alternator, starter motor.

    • Greem85 on 12/05/2021 - 14:10
      +1

      Neat trick! I`ll be sure to take one with me :)

      • StraightGuy on 12/05/2021 - 14:16

        Good luck! And I wish you get a nice car. :)

        • Greem85 on 12/05/2021 - 14:42
          +1

          Thanks mate ;)

  • SnoozeAndLose on 14/05/2021 - 08:41

    Just ask the seller to meet at the mechanic, can be Bob Jane, Kmart, ultratune. You just pay for the inspection. If it come up clear, it is good to go.

    If the car has no issue, seller has nothing to hide and should agree. I buy and sell few cars privately, never had issue with going to the mechanic. Or bring your own Mobile mechanic, but it is more expansive.

    • Euphemistic on 14/05/2021 - 09:11

      One problem with getting seller to take it to a mechanic is missing the cold start checks.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 14/05/2021 - 14:56

        then check the car at the seller's home then go together?

        • Euphemistic on 14/05/2021 - 18:13

          If I’m selling that’s a ‘no thanks’ unless I have had no interest for a couple of weeks.

          • SnoozeAndLose on 14/05/2021 - 18:19
            +1

            @Euphemistic: So many cars so many seller, get one they can assist with your request. I will move onto the other car then.

            • Euphemistic on 14/05/2021 - 18:54

              @SnoozeAndLose: Exactly. Plenty of sellers, plenty of buyers. Both parties have to be happy with the deal. I’ve had enough time wasters without having to organise a trip to a mechanic without seeing the colour of your money, and the mechanic would need to be local to me.

  • Euphemistic on 14/05/2021 - 09:10
    -1

    Oh for crying out loud. There are a million ‘how to buy a used car’ guides on the internet.

    • Baysew on 14/05/2021 - 09:51

      Only fitting that the OzBargain guide takes the millionth spot.

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