[Closed] Buyin a car online

Given the price of delivery is not worth getting the train there and doing the deal in person after you have seen it / driven it?

Home delivery is free.
Plus I'm based in Scotland, so in theory can't leave my local area...

I've just done it, car should be arriving today. Been fine so far, but the proof will be in the pudding. Also in Scotland.

Will let you know how it goes later...

Edit: mine is through Motorpoint, lots of good experiences with them around the family. Their returns policy seems pretty clear, so if you are not happy it 'seems' a fairly straightforward process, a bit like Distance Selling regs. I dug into the T&Cs and can't see any major loopholes 🤞

New car yes but no chance a second hand car of that value

If you are going to atleast get a detailed walk around video of both

So, T&C's on the website mention free delivery and, within a 14 day cooling off period, I'm allowed to return the vehicle subject to paying return costs.
I'd guess that just refusing the delivery if I wasn't happy (or sending it back in 14 days) would be about the same cost as a train from Aberdeen to Sheffield.

I'm planning on speaking to the dealer this afternoon, so any other advice/tips greatly appreciated.

Having had three black cars over the past 35 years, I’d always opt for the blue one, ABB basically

I did a few years ago actually.  Long before the online agents.  Dealer did video walk around, I was happy we did a deal and they delivered.  Simples!  Some of the online agents work on no quibble return and Cazoo as an example highlight all marks they have not rectified via their prep process.

Both are 2018 models with 30-ish k miles – so I’m not overly worried about wear and tear, damage, etc (and they both look good in the photos).

I've looked at newer cars than that and walked away coz they were horrid.

They always look good in the photos, but they can be very different. Kerbed alloys, abused interiors and stinking of fags. Ex Hire cars (like Motorpoint) can be shagged in 12 months. Others will be pristine.

Always look, then you know what you are buying.

When you make the payment, phone up and check the payment account and sort code with someone there. Don’t just rely on emails for the info.
Not happened to me, but someone I know , so I use that as lesson when dealing with new people, be it be in my personal life or business.

No way would I buy a second hand car without inspecting it in person first, theres just so much that can be wrong that won't show up in photos or videos, for example if it stinks of cigarette smoke etc,or if you get it and there's a mechanical issue. Sure they say it'll have a warranty, but it could take ages to fix with many trips back and forth to a local dealer(assuming under a manuf warranty) , or maybe the warranty is useless, or you have to take it back to where it was bought from.

Second hand car dealers are in general shysters, hell even new car dealers are shysters. Do not even give them the slightest chance to shaft you.

Second hand car dealers are in general shysters, hell even new car dealers are shysters. Do not even give them the slightest chance to shaft you.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">
If you are talking about back street used car dealers then maybe.  However if you are talking about the new style online agents like Cazoo, it’s all very clear.  They use high definition videos and offer 7 day no quibble return.  So when it’s delivered and you are not happy, you return.  Cazoo also is not run by motor traders, in fact they made a big thing about not employing people from the trade.  I would have no issue at all I. Buying from them.  Neither would it seem would thousands of others. </span>

The nice thing is we can all decide how we want to shop for a car, either online or traditionally.

So when it’s delivered and you are not happy, you return. Cazoo also is not run by motor traders, in fact they made a big thing about not employing people from the trade.

It's still the same business though, dressed up in modern clobber. Get cars in stock and sell them on.

What has happened to them before is out of their control.

<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”>
If you are talking about back street used car dealers then maybe. However if you are talking about the new style online agents like Cazoo, it’s all very clear. They use high definition videos and offer 7 day no quibble return. So when it’s delivered and you are not happy, you return. Cazoo also is not run by motor traders, in fact they made a big thing about not employing people from the trade. I would have no issue at all I. Buying from them. Neither would it seem would thousands of others.

The nice thing is we can all decide how we want to shop for a car, either online or traditionally.</span>

yep, we can, but the op did ask for others opinions, and regardless of how its dressed up I have too many bad experiences with buying cars from so called reputable dealers (not back street garages etc) to trust anyone in the motor trade, no matter how flashy their TV ads or app.

Cazoo also is not run by motor traders

I raise a suspicious/cynical eye brow at this... Most second hand car dealers buy the car from someone/auction, wash it, vac it, possibly mot it and sell it on and hope that there's nothing wrong with it, if it turns out there's something wrong with it, the good ones will attempt to fix it (usually with mixed results) , the bad ones try and fob you off. . All the fluff about eleventy million point checks is just that, they mostly don't touch a thing beyond basic cosmetics. The same goes for main dealers, despite what their TV ads say. The above is the way of maximum profit. Why spend time testing a car and fixing it, if there's a chance you don't/won't have to.

Got a car in Jan bought unseen, but was brand new though one of the dealers stock cars. Got it via car WOW. looked into delivery but wasn't worth it plus if I had a problem i would want to be able to deal directly with the salesperson rather than faff around with the delivery driver. Was a bit of a day out...never had a brand new car before so hopped on the train, headed up there, got made a fuss over at the dealership and drove it back. Unfortunately the weather was utter crap, but hey ho just made me drive home even more carefully.

However despite being brand new I got the sales person to send me loads of photo's so I could satisfy myself that the car existed and that it was in pristine condition. The dealership was extremely accommodating. No reason why you couldn't do that with a used car.

However taking delivery would be my last resort. A mate of mine sold his car once to a chap over the internet who arranged to have it picked up. When it got to the seller he rang up complaining one of the alloys was scuffed/damaged. My mate was adamant the car left him in pristine condition but a big hullabaloo ensued which took a few weeks and many angry email exchanges and threats to resolve. In the end my mate told him to stick it. Luckily he heard nothing back. So i'd say make sure you take whatever precautions you can when taking delivery to protect yourself in case there is a problem.

I've bought a few off eBay unseen, never had a problem.
In fact they were better than I had hoped tbf.

I did, but it's a parts donor so wasn't overly fussed about condition, as long as it existed and drove... Also bought my current car off ebay unseen, then flew from Edinburgh to Luton and drove it back. But that was based on a very, very good ebay listing with a million pics

It’s still the same business though, dressed up in modern clobber. Get cars in stock and sell them on.

What has happened to them before is out of their control.

so you send it back when it’s delivered? Or upto 7 days after you buy it??  What’s the difference?

I raise a suspicious/cynical eye brow at this…

and you are welcome too, but I am a little better educated on the subject I’m afraid.  Given my background.  Cazoo prepare used cars better than many used car operations.  They are open and clear about the condition, detailing photos of damage etc.  They also offer a 8 day no quibble money back policy.  If it comes off the truck and you are. Or happy, tell them to take it away! If after 6 days you find you now don’t like the colour, then hand it back.  It’s a new model, evolving daily but offers people who don’t want to waste time dealing with dealerships a better option.  Be suspicious as you like and keep knocking on portakabin doors if that’s your thing, however the Online dealership is coming and proving to be in demand.  Time will tell if the market really has a place for them, I suspect there will be.

Mine arrived today, 2 hrs early, and seems to be exactly as described.

With an added bonus that there was an unused, manufacturer fitted, detachable towbar and electrics in place, with the unused swan neck nestled in a wee compartment in the boot.

That wasn't anywhere in the description! I am jazzed, was going to get it fitted anyway, many hundreds saved.

No doubt the car will now konk out, leak, and go on fire simultaneously just to laugh in my face.

Sounds like a result @big_scot_nanny
Hopefully the car works out for you.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I've put down a deposit on a used car without seeing it - then hopped on train to view, hand over debit card and drive away. Was in all manners of trepidation at what might happen but have to say it was a pretty straight forward experience. When I explained the train bit, they sent a guy to collect me from the station. Sure it's nothing in scheme of car value but it was nice touch.