Buying a Car Privately from a Mechanic

L[Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:01

Hi,

So I'm about to pay for a car in a couple of days, around $9k, the seller is a mechanic as he said . I just inspected the car inside and out, have some exterior scratches, the wiper is a bit rusty, interior is fairly dirty, it's a 2012 model. Price is just about right for the year and model, I would say. I didn't test drive it having full confidence that he is what he is and he knows to fix the issues if there are some.

Too trusting, I'm hoping I would not get a lemon for not test driving it, I guess it's a bit late now because the paperwork has already started yesterday. I purchased a CAR CHECK report but it didn't show any flood/hail damage nor the accident and number of owners history and mileage.

He promised to do the RWC, rego transfer, do DETAILING, and one last service before pick up day. He said those scratches will go away with detailing.

I would definitely start the engine, check the aircon, wipers and power windows and check for seat rips on pick up day before handing the money over.

  1. Will detailing fix those paint scratches or will detailing damage the clear coat further? It's a dark-coloured car.
  2. Other than aircon, windows, wipers and brakes, what other things should I look for without opening the hood since there's no point anyway I'm not an expert car person, I can check the viscosity of the oil and that's it.
  3. Should I get another car check report that will show ownership numbers and flood/hail/accident history? The report I purchase on showed clear results on PPSR, Rego, Stolen status.

Thanks guys.

Automotive Mechanic

Comments

  • MS Paint on 08/03/2022 - 10:02
    +75

    Lol

    Microwave popcorn nearly ready.

    • Juggernauto on 09/03/2022 - 10:25

      Save some for me please

    • magic8ballgag on 09/03/2022 - 11:15
      +4

      Instead of just mocking the OP, why not offer some advice?

      • MS Paint on 09/03/2022 - 11:54
        +6

        Ok.

        Will detailing fix those paint scratches or will detailing damage the clear coat further? It's a dark-coloured car.

        That depends on how deep the scratches are and what equipment the mechanic will be using to detail the car. As a rule of thumb any scratch you can feel with your fingernail is not removable by detailing alone.

        I'm guessing the "mechanic" will be using an old school orbital buffer to quickly detail the car. In the wrong hands this has the potential to create further damage. In the right hands your car could look awesome. Ask the mechanic will he be detailing the car with - an orbital or dual action polisher and what products will be used over how many stages. Report back with this info for further advice.

        Other than aircon, windows, wipers and brakes, what other things should I look for without opening the hood since there's no point anyway I'm not an expert car person, I can check the viscosity of the oil and that's it.

        If you can check the viscosity of the oil by looking at it then you are one in a billion my friend. There are plenty of sources and checklists online which narrow down specifics to check when purchasing a used vehicle. Google is your friend here.

        Should I get another car check report that will show ownership numbers and flood/hail/accident history? The report I purchase on showed clear results on PPSR, Rego, Stolen status.

        No. What you have done so far is more than adequate.

        • magic8ballgag on 09/03/2022 - 12:15
          +1

          Good work mate. 👍

        • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:12

          Thanks for the insights. I've seen the oil can be check by wiping the stick with a clean tissue, if brown I believe is still okay, but darker then it's not service regularly.

          • MS Paint on 10/03/2022 - 07:16
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Not necessarily. If it's darker it may mean it's due for an oil change.

            After 10k kms almost every oil (particularly a diesel engine) will be very dark. That doesn't mean it wasn't serviced regularly.

            • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:25

              @MS Paint: Ok.

              I was about to post at the end of this thread, but seeing you're early, and I was up at 5am and stayed up late last night trying to figure out this problem now.

              So I got that car I wanted yesterday after work, he's going to do the RWC this morning, then we can close the deal, but here's my problem - I need a Customer Reference Number for rego (and the seller needs it to transfer online as well). Based on this link : https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/transferregistratio…

              Transfer registration as seller
              You cannot use this service if:
              "the buyer does not have a Queensland driver licence or customer reference number"

              So I'm going to head down to TMR when it opens for CRN, or is there any other way to get around closing the deal without a CRN?

              • Zephyrus on 10/03/2022 - 08:33

                @[Deactivated]: A "Queensland driver licence" is what you need. The seller just puts down their license number on the form

                • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 14:32

                  @Zephyrus: No, it's okay, I got my CRN this morning from TMR, I thought it's going to take more than a week for processing, since I need it to transfer rego this afternoon, I'll switch to QLD license in 2 months, so all good!

  • bobbified on 08/03/2022 - 10:08
    +11

    I purchased a CAR CHECK report

    Sounds like you got ripped off here already. How much did you pay for that report? The official PPSR report is only $2.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:16
      +2

      I got it from RevsCheckReport. Cost is $7.90

  • grog on 08/03/2022 - 10:08
    +12

    I once heard it said that car mechanics are the worst person to buy a car from

    If they work on cars all day those can not be stuffed maintaining their own car

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:40

      Mechanics have the worst cars
      Plumbers have the worst pipes
      Carpenters have the worst homes, they have only just begun renovations.

      • cashless on 08/03/2022 - 11:26
        +1

        Can definitely vouch for "plumbers have the worst pipes".
        House I bought belonged to a plumber.
        Have spent 10 years getting plumbing fixed, leakproof and upgraded.
        Still finding problems, even now.

        • LSGH on 10/03/2022 - 10:47

          will add electrician…bought a house from an electrician which was only 3 years old… and withing a couple of years, 8 of the outlet plugs were loose…not sure what causes that

          • superhans on 10/03/2022 - 14:49
            +8

            @LSGH: A 3 year old electrician is never gonna be very good.

    • pegaxs on 08/03/2022 - 14:59
      +26

      Can confirm. The last thing I want to do is work on my own cars and bikes.

      The other thing is, most mechanics know how to mask an issue just long enough for it to pass a RWC or to get past the first few weeks of new owner driving it around.

      I am a mechanic and there is no way I would buy a car "owned by a mechanic"

      • Fredorishi on 09/03/2022 - 08:13

        Doesn't say a lot for your integrity.

        • PeterSnoot on 09/03/2022 - 08:26
          +6

          To be fair, he didn't say that he would do this himself, but that most mechanics have the knowledge to be able to do this.

      • anonymous12345 on 10/03/2022 - 01:32

        True, an expert knows how to get away with things.

    • WT on 09/03/2022 - 09:06
      +2

      depends on the person really. Oil and filter can be done in under 10 mins from turn key to turn key, but generally 20 mins.

      Doing that every 6 months on average is no big deal especially if youre already dirty and have tools out.

      One place I worked at a long time ago gave free oil (no special orders) as a perk. New guys would be changing oil once a month. After a couple of months they would taper down to normal services.

      One thing to note though, this was not a dealer, servicing probably made up of less then 10% of turn over.

      Just like any owner, they will point out what has been changed and you can generally tell if they look after the car or if they just wham bam it

    • afah0447 on 09/03/2022 - 15:09

      Same with chefs.

  • John Kimble on 08/03/2022 - 10:09
    +16

    I didn't test drive it having full confidence that he is what he is and he knows to fix the issues if there are some.

    Just because he's a mechanic you aren't going to test drive it? 🙄

    If there are issues after the sale, he has no obligation to fix them for free, you know that right?

      • RockyRaccoon on 08/03/2022 - 10:41
        +10

        But he promised he loved me, then promised he would marry me if I got…..

        Gray Winter - more likely a Black Winter ahead.

        What do you want us to say? This mechanic is really a nice guy, and all your dreams will come true.

        Sure - He is, so why did you bother asking us?

          • RockyRaccoon on 08/03/2022 - 10:52
            +7

            @[Deactivated]: Trolling of course. (member of less than an hour or so. Never to be seen in a few days)

            Thanks for the confirmation.

            • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:54
              -1

              @RockyRaccoon: You must have more time in your hand to troll, not me. I don't waste time on something unproductive. But knowing I have to get the car in 2 days, I just asked for help here.

              I'll remember your handle, don't worry, pretty useless.

              • RockyRaccoon on 08/03/2022 - 10:59
                +2

                @[Deactivated]: Sure you'll remember, you seem so wise on everything other than buying a car and all the advice others are telling you. You asked for help. We gave it to you..

                … "but" he cried many times.

                I will lose hours of sleep over your memory, should you ever be seen here again as "GrayWinter".

                • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:01
                  +1

                  @RockyRaccoon: "You asked for help. We gave it to you.." , LOL, you said "we", you meant these other HELPFUL guys out here, you're pretty useless, but still bothers to post in my thread, can't help yourself patting your shoulder and believe you've done a good job? Oh well.

                  • RockyRaccoon on 08/03/2022 - 11:04

                    @[Deactivated]: For someone so called "green" in buying a car, you know all the details of what is required, but not the most obvious, - you need to test drive it.

                    I gave the same advice. Dont trust what the mechanic says. A little more sarcastically.

                    Thats what everyone here says, but you keep on with your BS. Your a Troll and you've been called out. move on. Go pick up your car and dont waste time here.

                    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:07
                      -4

                      @RockyRaccoon: still posting in my thread, butt-hurt are we? define trolling and asking a genuine question.

                      you should be the admin here and weed out legit posters and trolls, but hey, it's a free world, you're just another useless poster here who's got nothing to do and has all the time to blast posters away labeling them trolls. you've wasted enough of my time, this is the last I'm going to reply to all your useless replies. Unfortunately it says 30 days required membership to vote negative, so I'll be back then to vote a negative on your name.

                      • RockyRaccoon on 08/03/2022 - 11:23

                        @[Deactivated]: ROFL, I will welcome your return (with your new car), if that ever happens. You can neg all you like that wont bother me.

        • Hangryuman on 10/03/2022 - 14:56

          from the movie parenthood -

          wilful teenage daughter distraught and left newly pregnant after argument with boyfriend, to single mother:

          "but he told me he LOVED ME !"

          single mother staring sadly into the distance, mumbles:

          "men say that - and then they come …"

          press Next Clip 3 times to see this - viz https://yarn.co/yarn-clip/57572996-1422-4152-b06a-9c95194c5e… -

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:31

      I think it's not yet too late to take it for a spin on pick up day. Yes, will definitely do that, sometimes I just have this too trusting nature, even though the last car I owned had an accident and seller didn't mention it, I just found out by noticing some spray repair overlaps on the bumpers and they are not properly aligned.

  • AndyC1 on 08/03/2022 - 10:11
    +9

    Sucker born every day. No test drive, no RWC no… no…

    What can go right????

  • steven6 on 08/03/2022 - 10:12
    +11

    Member Since
    37 min ago

  • GG57 on 08/03/2022 - 10:13
    +1

    I would ignore the seller's profession.

  • Keplaffintech on 08/03/2022 - 10:16
    +12

    If a mechanic is getting rid of a car you know it's got issues

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:23

      Is that a given, or just genuinely selling for other reasons? I know mechanics can "doctor" and hide issues, but I just thought it's good that he's a mechanic and he might have been any underlying issues already.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/03/2022 - 10:25
    +5

    I had a car that had so many issues I sold it off for scrap parts to a Eastern European backyard car mechanic. $300 cash.

    1 day later he had it relisted at $3500 on fb marketplace and it STILL didn’t have RWC on it haha - there is absolutely no way he fixed any of the issue’s properly in such a short time. Or if he did it would have been band aid fixes for sure.

    • WT on 09/03/2022 - 09:15

      A lot of mechanics buy cars needing work and sell for profit

      I only bought a car once that I advertised before I fixed it though it depends on the fix. I also drove a car while it was for sale too, gives you opportunity to find other issues.

      Putting up for sale early is generally good, you are getting more market exposure. If you get hits early on it can also be motivation to get it finished sooner then later.

    • Cave Fire on 09/03/2022 - 17:33

      yeah had a dodgy friend that flipped cars targeting new foreign students. They sometimes didn't know about rwc or rego, so think every thing is okay if the plate is on.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:28
    +2

    Also, I thought it's illegal to list a car without a ready RWC, but I've seen so many advertised cars where sellers say RWC will be done when buyer is serious about it. This one has no RWC too and yet it's listed already.

    • GG57 on 08/03/2022 - 10:48
      +1

      Listing a car for sale and actually selling it are different things. RWC requirements differ state to state.
      In Vic, RWCs have a lifespan. If you get one and don't sell the car within that lifespan, you have to get another ($$$). Most people agree to get one before the actual sale takes place.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:49

      I think RWC is only valid for a short amount of time before you have to get another one done

      • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 10:50

        Yes, 2 months or 2000km, but why is the law not imposed on seller without RWC at hand?

        • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 12:04

          don't know, we don't have to do RWC in my state lol

        • Stevek1960 on 09/03/2022 - 08:05

          The laws changed in qld, you only need the rwc at the time of sale, not like the old days when it had to be displayed on an advertised car for sale

        • 2esc on 09/03/2022 - 09:07

          Give you an example a classic old car that's been sitting a farmers paddock for 60 years needs full restoration it's not going to be in rwc. Depending on what needs doing could cost the seller big dollars that's one reason.

  • Drpepper666 on 08/03/2022 - 10:33

    My friend loaned his car to another mechanic friend. Got it back in barely functioning condition, with a steering wheel mounted at -45 degree angle. So uhh yeah, don't assume he will take care of it. Lol.

    • AndyC1 on 08/03/2022 - 11:45

      At least the car was returned and not sold without a RWC or test drive etc etc…

  • Peter Enis on 08/03/2022 - 10:59

    He promised to do the RWC, rego transfer, do DETAILING, and one last service before pick up day.

    You got that in writing as a condition of the sale? If not, none of that stuff is gonna happen. Maybe a dodgy RWC either done by himself or another mechanic mate of theirs.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:13

      Hi Peter, no writing, just verbal agreement and we shook hands, I offered to put a $100 deposit so he can start the paperwork, but he declined. I was particular about those scraches on the bumper, not dents. He promised to do detailing but my question is like the above - will detailing remove the scratches without adding damage to the clear coat and orig paint? I asked him about his shop providing an RWC, he confirmed his shop doesn't do it.

      • Peter Enis on 08/03/2022 - 11:17
        +1

        Hard to say without photos. However, I know with my car, I've got a few noticeable scratches, and they do mostly disappear when I apply a polish after washing it. But they come back again once the polishes wears off.

        For a $9k 2012 model car, my main concerns would be it's mechanical condition and how it drives, not scratches.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:23

          Okay, I will definitely test drive before signing, which I should have done before the verbal agreement.

          Any signs of engine issues to look for (or try to notice) when I test drive? It's a nissan x-trail. Thanks

      • Drpepper666 on 08/03/2022 - 14:53

        Yeah mate cars a piece of shit, totally not roadworthy, scratches all over it, but I will definitely 100% for real fix all that if you promise to buy it. Cheers!

  • cashless on 08/03/2022 - 11:24
    +1

    Walk away now, while you still have your cash

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:25

      why is that? care to elaborate your view please?

      • John Kimble on 08/03/2022 - 11:27
        +4

        Because he's cashless from past experience.

      • cashless on 08/03/2022 - 11:34
        +2

        OK, I'll spell it out.
        Right now you have cash in your pocket (OK you spent a little bit on searches, but ignore that).
        You are about to buy a lemon, but you do not have to.
        WALK AWAY
        You can politely turn down the purchase, then spend some time researching other cars in the same price bracket, preferably ones with RWC and 6 months+ rego.
        Speak to friends and people you can trust and spend time researching good models/makes, get an idea of what you can buy in your price bracket.
        Don't ask OzBargain for advice because you can't trust anyone here (including me) and you will only get frustrated (like you did above with RoccyRaccoon)

        • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:57

          Thanks, I will consider your advise, I'm sitting at the fence now, having considered all helpful posts in this thread. I'm pressed for time, having no transport I just use 13cabs to view cars.

    • AndyC1 on 08/03/2022 - 11:46
      +2

      Don't walk as it's to slow, sprint away.

      • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2022 - 11:57

        :)

  • Mokr on 08/03/2022 - 11:58
    +1

    When buying - it is a battle of information -

    Do you the buyer have more information then the seller -

    Thats why white collar workers / grannies are the best sellers

    • BartholemewH on 09/03/2022 - 15:15

      If you mean white collar / grannies are the best from a buyers point of view, I hope you are joking.

  • Euphemistic on 08/03/2022 - 12:41
    +6

    OMG!!

    If you don’t test drive you deserve everything that comes to you.

    If you trust the seller to fix everything before you buy you deserve everything that comes to you.

    If you trust a mechanic to do a thorough RWC you deserve everything that’s coming to you.

    Always test drive, never trust the seller - especially a mechanic that does his own RWC.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 09:54

      Got it, thanks. He doesn't do his own RWC, but I'll post an update at the end of this thread.

  • mauricem on 08/03/2022 - 13:53
    +6

    Get an independent inspection done. Some of the guys who do mobile rwc might do an on site one for the cost of an rwc <$100

  • uzz30 on 08/03/2022 - 14:50
    +2

    Google for 'pre purchase car inspection' and find one in your area with favourable reviews. You'll be engaging the services of an experienced automotive professional working for you, rather than a mechanic with a vested interest in selling their own car. Think of it as insurance against making a bad purchase.

    When buying a car from dealers I've used it as a condition of purchase that there are no major issues and as leverage to reduce the cost for minor issues.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 09:55
      +1

      thanks for the advise, i'm taking notes, I'll post an update at the end of this thread.

  • Fredorishi on 09/03/2022 - 08:24
    +2

    Sheesh. You folks need to get better mechanics. Or maybe I'm just lucky. Mine is brilliant and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a car from him. Maybe another option for the op is to ask where he works and look up the rep of the place. Do normal due diligence of course, but at least you know where he works if something goes wrong.

    • John Kimble on 09/03/2022 - 10:12

      Mate, lucky you, good mechanics are rarer than hen's teeth!

    • thanatos350 on 09/03/2022 - 14:07
      +1

      I'm with you. I don't know what these people are talking about. You can't run a successful workshop without being professional and personable.

      There are definitely dodgy guys out there but the beauty of Google reviews are that you can filter through both the good and bad to get a more realistic impression.

    • BartholemewH on 09/03/2022 - 15:33

      OP isn't buying from 'their' mechanic, they are buying from 'a' mechanic. There's a big difference. OP didn't even state they inspected at his shop.

      • Fredorishi on 10/03/2022 - 01:51

        Hence do "due dilligence". The point is, not all mechanics are crooks as most of the comment section is making out. Also, the bonafides of someone claiming to be a mechanic would be pretty easy to check out at least to some degree. I.e. "So where do you work?" I never said the op should buy from him. Was just offering a different perspective is all.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 10:17
    +20

    update: I cancelled the test drive and sale, I didn't get the right kind of feeling about the car and the seller, he didn't mention in his ad all the 'minor' things I found when I viewed the car like cracked side mirror, visible rust on front wipers, visible exterior plastic panel scratches as well as many visible scratches on the clear coat that didn't show on photos, although he promised to do these things like detailing to remove those clear coat scratches ( the plastic panel ones and side mirror crack he can't do anything about), he promisd to do a one-off service, clean the interior, give me a free space-saver tyre and 6 months rego.

    He got very aggresive with his almost shouting tone and hanged up when he sensed that I was about to pull out of the verbal deal. I can't blame him, but if he thinks I wasted his time, I wasted my time greatly as well driving 150ks just to view his car and found out things not mentioned in the AD.

    Drove another 100ks to view one suv for sale yesterday, this time having a list of what to do and check. Seller was eager to have me sign the papers and transfer the payment after my test drive and while he's doing the manual form, I checked the history online and found that the car has 2 write-off reports for heavy accidents (front and structural repairs) that he never mentioned but knew about, though he got the RWC an hour earlier and replaced the front tyres, I told him I'm not pushing forward with the sale. This was such a waste of time and petrol on a car rental, driving there and getting lost twice along the way, geesh!

    Today, I'll be viewing one closer, about 20k drive, hopefully this is it, paid history check is clear, will test drive and see how it goes.

    Thanks for all the advise guys.

    Will update this thread a month from now regarding this potential purchase.

    • thanatos350 on 09/03/2022 - 14:02
      +2

      Buying a used car in the current climate isn't going to be a fun experience. Cars that would be sold for a couple of grand a few years ago are now attracting two or three times what they are worth.

      Do you have anyone to go with you? You sound kind of polite. I've found that it is helpful to have a friend or family member with a little less regard for niceties can be helpful (not an (profanity), just someone who will scoff at an obvious lie or bent truth).

      • smartazz104 on 09/03/2022 - 14:32

        Buying a used car in the current climate isn't going to be a fun experience. Cars that would be sold for a couple of grand a few years ago are now attracting two or three times what they are worth.

        Hmm time to sell…

        • thanatos350 on 09/03/2022 - 14:43

          The issue there is that the next car you have to buy will be overpriced. It would work if your car increased more than others, which I have seen happen.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:31

        "Do you have anyone to go with you?"

        No, I don't have friends or family here, just been in the country for 2 weeks, I'm staying at a motel, I need that car to view some rental place and I can't afford to go use this rental car, it's not cheap.

    • Euphemistic on 09/03/2022 - 14:50

      he didn't mention in his ad all the 'minor' things I found when I viewed the car like cracked side mirror, visible rust on front wipers, visible exterior plastic panel scratches as well as many visible scratches

      Hardly anyone is going to mention things like hat in an ad. Aside from the mirror it’s called wear and tear. If the mirror passes RWC it’s also minor. Had a cracked mirror on our car for years. Passes for rego every year.

    • cashless on 09/03/2022 - 15:55
      +5

      Hi again OP. As many of us mentioned above, you certainly did the right thing by walking away from that first seller. We could all sense that things weren't good about the car because of your story. OzBargain to the rescue - again.

      Then you have the misfortune of getting someone trying to sell you a write-off car. But again, you did the right thing, you ran some checks, asked some questions, discovered the truth then walked away.

      Everything that you have done up to now is giving you a great education in how to buy a car. There are so many checks you can do, but also listen to the seller, their story, how convincing is it? Do they seem trustworthy? Look them in the eye, are they telling the truth? Don't be afraid to crawl under the car to look for oil leaks, signs of leaking fluids etc. Take someone with you if you can - as thanatos350 above mentioned. Useful to have a second set of eyes and different thoughts to probe and question the seller.
      You might think you are wasting your time going to look at all these cars. You are not, you are using your time valuably in educating yourself, getting a good idea of the market and meeting some top class BS merchants.
      Keep going, if you check out enough cars, you'll be a pro.
      And don't forget, despite all the checking you can do, it is still possible to buy a lemon. Most of us have done so, I certainly have.
      That is where the trustworthiness of the seller comes in - is it someone you think you could leave your kids with while you go out for an hour or two?

      Looking forward to the update and hearing what you finally bought.

      • Fredorishi on 10/03/2022 - 01:57

        Lol. He walked away over a cracked mirror and a few scratches and rusty wiper blades. Hardly a massive discovery of "the truth". Car might have been mechanically perfect for all we know.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 20:17

          if the seller omitted such minor issues like a cracked mirror, scratches and rusty wiper blades, imagine what else he would have been hiding. it may have been mechanically perfect, but given the behaviour of the seller, it's unlikely.

          • Fredorishi on 10/03/2022 - 21:30

            @[Deactivated]: Who makes such a big deal over such minor issues? Its 10 years old and under 10k. Do you put every single bump and scratch in a car ad? It also appears to have been advertised at the lower end of the scale (if its a 2012 xtrail and going off a quick look at Carsales) Its a bit like saying "i didn't buy it cos it had dirt on the tyres." OP probably missed a bargain.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:15

        "Useful to have a second set of eyes and different thoughts to probe and question the seller." - I just flew into the country 2 weeks ago, no friends or family here.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:37

        Yes, in hindsight I believe I made the right decision declining that, and also avoiding a big loss of money with the second option with write-offs issue.

        I tested one yesterday, so today we're about to close the deal pending RWC, but without a customer reference number which is mentioned as requirement in this link, we can't complete the rego:

        https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/transferregistratio…

        So I'm just waiting for TMR branch to inquire about this, can't find the answer I'm looking for online.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 14:33

          ignore this comment, i got the CRN this morning, so I think sale and rego transfer will still push through this afternoon.

          • Hangryuman on 10/03/2022 - 15:04

            @[Deactivated]: the fun factor for many here probably comes from your apparent focus on paperwork rather than the condition of the car

            yes I read 2 weeks in Oz, motel, rental car, urgency, etc.

            if you are experienced and confident about mechanics, great.

            if you are not, folks here were trying to warn you, but you seemed to take offense at their various humorous remarks about 'what could go wrong'

            otherwise paperwork is something most of us would probably consider after we had satisfied ourselves about the mechanical condition of the car.

    • RockyRaccoon on 09/03/2022 - 17:43

      Sorry about the sarcasm originally, I was just trying another way to warn you, when it appeared you werent listening to others here, about the potential danger of being too trusting, when buying a car or for that matter, anything secondhand.

      Hopefully your new test drive works out.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:17

        Apologies accepted, someone new here asking for advise doesn't need to create hundreds of threads to prove they are not trolling, just saying, but I get your point.

    • wimphrel on 09/03/2022 - 21:08

      Good call on cancelling, SUVs are too popular & supply is low - so there are a lot of bad deals lurking out there right now.

      As others have said - pay the hundred or so dollars to get the vehicle inspected by a professional with good reviews & no vested interest in selling.

      Nowdays I prefer to go to new car dealers now and look out for deals in their used car lots - they usually have decent filtering on their trade ins, as they forward the dodgy cars to the used car dealers.
      It helps if you go for cars that aren't popular right now (i.e. non-SUVs)

      In my last two purchases, I was able to get a Mazda SP25 and a V6 Tarago for less than what people were asking for in private sales.
      With the Tarago - I complained about shuddering brakes & a clicky steering column and they replaced the front disc & the steering column for free, no questions asked, because they were big enough of a dealer to have warranty claims covered by an insurer.

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