Buying a car off eBay...

[Lincs Mav]

Bought my Maverick off ebay unseen only because i really wanted one. Travelled a 350 mile round trip i wasnt coming hoe without it.

Cheers Gav

[AD Ent]

I've also 'won' a few vehicles and seller won't respond to emails. Probably because it didn't make the price they wanted. Drives you insane ebay

[clivvy]

Originally Posted by AD Ent

I've also 'won' a few vehicles and seller won't respond to emails. Probably because it didn't make the price they wanted. Drives you insane ebay

yeah me too. I have also won a car THEN found out details to the contrary with regards the advert, and I backed out despite much procrastinating form the seller and demands for money blah blah. Just tell them they are getting nowt and that's for lying, report to ebay and block them.

[arcascomp]

Got mine from ebay too, think I did ok, but I had a mate I trust check it out for me as he was in Manchester for work at the time.

If you can get someone who knows a bit about the type of vehicle have a nosy first then you'd probably feel better about it.

It all depends on how much your spending too of course - most 4x4's weigh in for a reasonable amount as scrap so if it's cheap enough, the risk level is lower.

[Peasgood1]

Done it a few times. Current Mav was off ebay bought unseen.
Had it 2-3 years and certainly had my monies worth.
One Terrano was a bit scabbier than I was expecting but still not disappointed overall.

Wouldn't particularly recommend buying unseen but I've had 3 cars that way and all worked out fine.

[melissachels]

Originally Posted by AD Ent

The problem is if you go all that way your gonna buy it. Ive done it myself when I should have known better.

So have I, hence why i'm not happy if I need to travel to get another Terrano its all the cost for potentailly nothing at the end of it

[RobN]

Got mine from E Bay, Trade seller. 350 mile trip from Cornwall, paid with Credit Card as this gives payment protection.

If private seller I believe you are allowed to refuse if it is not as described, but you need a good reason or E Bay will black you.

Note if you use a credit card as your paypal source the agreement is with the credit card and all protection is on. Paypal prefer you to use a bank account as it is less cost to them. I have a bank account and a credit card registered with paypal, if I am buying something expensive I use the Credit Card as source of funds. This way allows you to pay a private seller with Paypal and get the protection od a Credit Card.

[arcascomp]

Credit card protection doesn't apply when used via Paypal - at least, fairly sure that's the case.

[RobN]

It does, the card is used to pay paypal, your dealing is with the credit card.

[arcascomp]

looks like in theory you can, but many CC companies will try and duck out of the agreement unless forced: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sho...your-purchases

Haven't heard of someone having tried, so no idea if I'm spouting nonsense now.....I'll get me coat...

[RobN]

That's what small claims court is for

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by GoodOldBakes

..without seeing it or test driving it first.

Anyone done it? Anyone know if you're still covered by eBay or PayPal protection? It's just that I've got my eye on a couple but they're both based around the south coast area and I'm naturally wary of chucking a grand or so at a potentially dead tin box.

A fool and his money are soon parted do not even think about buying a vehicle without doing some basic checks. Unless its a main dealer I would not buy any vehicle without driving it.

Be patient you will find one within 50 miles of where you live - there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles up for sale in the UK its a buyers market.

When I was looking for a 300CRD I found one on e-bay and when I e-mailed the seller he said he was out working on the North Sea Rigs and wanted me to work through a middle person. Did some checks and found he was an International Scammer. Other tricks include selling for the deceased messy divorce etc etc !

If buying privately like I have done in the past out of the local paper I have a few golden rules if the answers are vague or complex - walk away.

1) Ask the seller if he is the registered keeper and is the address on the full registration document the address from which it is being sold ?

2) Get a HPI check done on the vehicle so you know if its owned by a finance company or if it has been a write off.

3) Establish how long he has been the registered keeper.

4) If he is genuine talk to him on the phone and obtain VRM and reg document number so you can do some free checks on the VOSA website. You will have all the MoT mileage and advisers going back to when the new MoT certificates were issued - about 5 years now.

5) There are a lot of people on the internet who are traders pretending to be private individuals. There are also plenty of fraudsters - they might be in the minority but they always find a sucker.

6) OK if its £500 and you can afford to find out its only worth scrap or is subject to a log book loan finance then have a go but it might not be the dream vehicle

7) Is he on the voters list at that address ask him his name then google it you will be amazed at what you can find out about people on the net! (Try your own name and see !)


ted

[(RIP) PLANK]

I have bought and sold a couple of hundred vehicles on ebay with no problems at all, if you don't want it just don't pay there is nothing the seller or ebay can or will do! I have come across a few fibbing dogs who try and sell you crap but they are few and far between and I usual persuade them to cover my expenses