Buying unseen - would you?

stevo · 16-06-2013, 20:03

Its always a risk, but I've done it a couple of times with no bad results

First time was a Defender that looked good on ebay, and in truth, wasn't too bad, although I did wonder when the drivers door flew open at 60mph on the M621 as I wound the window up...... Turned out to be a good motor after sorting some niggly little things.

Second time was with a volvo V70 - bought from a volvo forum member who happened to be the head tech at a volvo garage, so good credentials

Excellent car, but going to give way to a Terrano.

I wonder if I'll be quite so lucky this time

stinka · 16-06-2013, 20:46

Depends. Only would off eBay if the seller has good feed back, the car was cheap and the add seemed honest

jonela · 17-06-2013, 15:50

Got My 2000 LWB off e bay (Private seller ) was exactly as described and in even better condition than I hoped . I would definitely buy off e bay again ,I sent him 100£ deposit by pay pal and asked for a copy of the log book, every thing in order , Go for it! I was very pleased .

clivvy · 17-06-2013, 17:52

bought my old Fourtrak off ebay without looking at it. Was miles away near Hull. had a bid on it for 4 days, no other bids and it stayed at £512 all the way to the end. Very basic advert, few pics but I emailed the guy asking relevant questions, all seemed ok. I went there fully expecting a £500 car and it to be as described, it was and the fella was really nice, didn't even expect me to buy till I drove it.

Drove it home about 40 miles or so, all good and had it a while until I couldn't get over how dreadful it was on fast roads and one day in Wales it scared the hell out of me (LSD didn't help much on a slippy bend...then again neither did the slightly worn inner tyre wall....

) but other than that yeah, the car was as described.

I think if you go in with the right attitude, ask some questions AT LEAST before hand, then buying from ebay is safer than going private (I think).

would I do it again?
yup.

Fez_uk · 17-06-2013, 19:11

also if you deem it not as described you don't have to buy it.

Lincs Mav · 17-06-2013, 20:27

Bought my Maverick unseen travlled 200 miles to pick it up.There was know way i was going home with out it well worth it.

Cheers Gav

16-06-2013, 20:03	#1
stevo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: surrey Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE Posts: 100	Buying unseen - would you? Its always a risk, but I've done it a couple of times with no bad results First time was a Defender that looked good on ebay, and in truth, wasn't too bad, although I did wonder when the drivers door flew open at 60mph on the M621 as I wound the window up...... Turned out to be a good motor after sorting some niggly little things. Second time was with a volvo V70 - bought from a volvo forum member who happened to be the head tech at a volvo garage, so good credentials Excellent car, but going to give way to a Terrano. I wonder if I'll be quite so lucky this time

17-06-2013, 17:52	#4
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	bought my old Fourtrak off ebay without looking at it. Was miles away near Hull. had a bid on it for 4 days, no other bids and it stayed at £512 all the way to the end. Very basic advert, few pics but I emailed the guy asking relevant questions, all seemed ok. I went there fully expecting a £500 car and it to be as described, it was and the fella was really nice, didn't even expect me to buy till I drove it. Drove it home about 40 miles or so, all good and had it a while until I couldn't get over how dreadful it was on fast roads and one day in Wales it scared the hell out of me (LSD didn't help much on a slippy bend...then again neither did the slightly worn inner tyre wall....) but other than that yeah, the car was as described. I think if you go in with the right attitude, ask some questions AT LEAST before hand, then buying from ebay is safer than going private (I think). would I do it again? yup.

16-06-2013, 20:46	#2
stinka Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Staffs Vehicle: '02 Terrano TDI sport lwb Posts: 3,787	Depends. Only would off eBay if the seller has good feed back, the car was cheap and the add seemed honest

17-06-2013, 15:50	#3
jonela Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Chateaunef du Faou, France Vehicle: 2000 LWB SE+ Posts: 906	Got My 2000 LWB off e bay (Private seller ) was exactly as described and in even better condition than I hoped . I would definitely buy off e bay again ,I sent him 100£ deposit by pay pal and asked for a copy of the log book, every thing in order , Go for it! I was very pleased .

17-06-2013, 19:11	#5
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,644	also if you deem it not as described you don't have to buy it.

17-06-2013, 20:27	#6
Lincs Mav Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Lincolnshire Vehicle: Nissan terrano Posts: 405	Bought my Maverick unseen travlled 200 miles to pick it up.There was know way i was going home with out it well worth it. Cheers Gav