MixedHerbs Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Dear All, I would like to privately purchase a car. However, I have never done so before having always bought from a dealer. I suspect this subject has been covered on this forum before, but can find no evidence. What is the best/safest method of transacting a private car sale? Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 What sums of money are you talking about? Each time I've bought privately, I've taken wads of cash with me. I think upto about £5K once. Any more than that, and take a beefy friend with you! Then you get to take the car there and then. Alternativley, you can use a cheque, but will need to wait for it to clear............and you need to trust the bod selling it............. Bank transfer - once again 3 or 4 days unless you are with the same bank. Bankers Draft - It'll need to clear first - irrelevant of what anybody says. Some people like ot get the RAC/AA to check the car over - I never have, and so far so good.......... Some people get an HPi check done, this is a good idea. Most importantly, don't leave without the paperwork/MOT/Tax. Tell your insurnace company you are changing car at suchandsuch time on the day to cover your drive home. Secondly - enjoy the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MixedHerbs Posted May 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 "What sums of money are you talking about?" Up to £15,000. I am not carrying that amount of cash around. Even if I was accompanied by a a large menacing friend, I don't think I could take the stress. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Cash is definitely the best way of paying, but your reluctance to carry that kind of money about is understandable. A simple option is arrange for the money to be available at your bank and get the seller to accompany you to collect it. It gets counted out in front of him/her so he knows it's all there, he has no concerns over dodgy notes, you just hand over the cash there and then to him, and he gives you the keys and the log book. If you're nice you could even run him home! Always run an HPi check, you can do it over the phone for £30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 i bought my caterham with £15,500 in cash at the buyers request. I wouldnt recommend it.. somewhat stressful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 What is the best/safest method of transacting a private car sale? As long as the seller agrees to it, take a bankers draft (they'll cost you about £10 IIRC) made out in the seller's name. The go to their bank with them so the draft can be paid in. What you thhinking about buying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figure11 Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 "What sums of money are you talking about?"Up to £15,000. I am not carrying that amount of cash around. Even if I was accompanied by a a large menacing friend, I don't think I could take the stress. Regards, Peter. Over 5 Grand and I always carry a couple of blades. Over 10 Gs and I always go fully tool up. If you can get a friend to drive you over, get them to stay in the car and keep the sawn off out of sight under the dash. If you carry a short don't shove it down the front of you trousers, you'll just give the game away when you get your hanky out. Properly prepared means you'll be able to amicable sort out problems like paint blemishes and marks on the interior etc. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Over 5 Grand and I always carry a couple of blades. Over 10 Gs and I always go fully tool up. If you can get a friend to drive you over, get them to stay in the car and keep the sawn off out of sight under the dash. If you carry a short don't shove it down the front of you trousers, you'll just give the game away when you get your hanky out.Properly prepared means you'll be able to amicable sort out problems like paint blemishes and marks on the interior etc. Mike The last thing you want is to have to call in The Wolf (Pulp Fiction reference), to clean up any interior blemishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bells0 Posted May 23, 2008 Report Share Posted May 23, 2008 I did 25k cash when i bought my old 350Z privately! Did all the checks, drove it, made sure all was legit. Made sure my bank knew i was coming in for the cash so it was ready. Took seller in to bank so he could see it all counted. He gave me the keys, i handed him the large envelope - done. Luckily, his bank was directly opposite mine, so he quickly ran over and paid it straight into his account. Little bit nervy with that much £, but all went smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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