Buying a used car from a private person - how does the exchange work?

Question

Hi - I think I've found a perfect little car, the person lives a little way away (23miles), and I'm thinking of going over there to have a look and hopefully buy it. What happens though as presumably I couldn't drive it back as I wouldn't be insured - it has got a month of tax left. Would that mean that I'd have to leave the car with them having given them the money and trust them! (I'm sure they're honest but they are strangers) and then go back another time once insured, or is there a better way of going about things.

Many thanks

excited first time owner to be (hopefully)

Answer 1

Have the person you buy the car from keep their insurance on the car. That way it atleast has insurance when you drive it out of their yard. Or when you buy the car call the insurance right then and have them put insurance on it.

Answer 2

first dont go by yourself,take a friend,someone who knows a little about cars..if you like it,buy it and askfor the owner to drop it off at your house....

Answer 3

you can either ask them to insure the car whilst your there or you can drive it home most police will let you off if you tell them you have only just bought the car.

Answer 4

If you can take someone that has car already they should have insurance to drive other cars but if you don't no anyone just take a chance.

Answer 5

talk to your local garage guy

go to the buyers place

check the papers, check the address and his name with that of the registration papers, ask for his license to confirm that he is the right guy and bargain the car (if you want) then ask him if he can drive the car to your garage guy for a check-up.

let your nearest garage guy checks it, talk to your garage guy in person away from the buyer. up on his advice decide yourself.

because the garage guy will anyway expects that you are gonna his customer for regular maintenance works so he will give a fair feedback on the vehicle.

before all these get the HPI report.

Once you decided to buy, then get their signature on the car registration paper, then pay them (vice versa), now just call your preferred choice of insurance company give them the details and provide your card details so that they will charge you :=) and thats it you are insured for the car. you can drive back home and you will receive the insurance title documents to your home. if you agree for monthly payments you will get a document which says "if you want to withdraw the insurance please fill this and mail us with in 5 days" so you have the choice of getting rid if you find another good deal with other company.

cheers

Responder

Answer 6

never go alone.bring someone with you who knows about cars ,check documentation for service history and that the v5 details relate to that car.do not carry cash and if your going to their house dont meet outside it make sure your invited in just to make sure its their house,dont hand over any money get them to drive to your address 23 miles is not a lot  you could even offer to pay for petrol and dont accept first price haggle and you could suprise yourself but the golden rule is bring at least one person with you,best of luck.

Answer 7

The typical solution would have the seller drive it to your home with you on board, that way they are using their insurance and you get an extended test drive to determine whether there are any problems.  

There are a couple of websites that will give you pointers as to what to look for on the make and model you are interested in, parkers or glass's, and for a fee tell you exactly what you should be paying for the car given age condition and mileage.

Do you have a family member with their own insurance, if so most companies will issue temporary cover on a second vehicle, for upto a month with you as the named driver whilst you get your own insurance sorted.

Answer 8

Hmmm. You can get insurance quickly over the phone, but you must have the car reg, which the insurers will already have on their database, and be able to confirm other details with them such as engine size, trim (SX, GTI etc). That's the easy bit. Not getting ripped of is the hard bit. No such thing as 'nice' when people ask for money. You should do a stolen car check on the net. You don't get ANY form of protection when you buy privately. If it blows up on the way home you have to grin and bear it. If you can't afford the AA check, try very hard to find a friend who knows at least something about cars and can act as a witness in case you are swindled.

Take your driving licence and insurance certificate and road test the car! If they decline - WALK AWAY.

I remember the feeling when I got my first car. I now know that's when you are most vulnerable to a con trick!

Sorry to seem cynical, I just hate these b*stards who make a living out of others naivety. Best of luck.

Answer 9

you would leave a deposit with them while you organise a cover note for the insurance, it would be a good idea to take someone with you who knows a bit about cars. there are some good tips on the autotrader website