more used car questions!

[benz0]

Hi all,

I've been looking for a used motor over the past few months and I've spotted a decently priced Xenos 6 which I'm going to take a look at. As I'm a complete newbie when it comes to buying cars in the Netherlands, I wonder if anyone can help with some of the following questions:

1) how does car insurance work here when going on a test drive from a second hand car seller or dealer? Does the dealer provide it or do I need to arrange my own? I recently test-drove a primera from a Nissan Dealer who simply handed over the keys no questions asked... Made me wonder in hindsight!

2) are there any pitfalls, scams, or cons specific to used car buying in Holland I should be aware of? I still can't believe the nerve of charging 'afleverkost'!

3) is there an equivalent to an HPI check here and how do I go about arranging it?

4) any other general tips or advice?

Thanks in advance!

[benz0]

benz0 said:

Hi all,

I've been looking for a used motor over the past few months and I've spotted a decently priced Xenos 6 which I'm going to take a look at. As I'm a complete newbie when it comes to buying cars in the Netherlands, I wonder if anyone can help with some of the following questions:

1) how does car insurance work here when going on a test drive from a second hand car seller or dealer? Does the dealer provide it or do I need to arrange my own? I recently test-drove a primera from a Nissan Dealer who simply handed over the keys no questions asked... Made me wonder in hindsight!

2) are there any pitfalls, scams, or cons specific to used car buying in Holland I should be aware of? I still can't believe the nerve of charging 'afleverkost'!

3) is there an equivalent to an HPI check here and how do I go about arranging it?

4) is there an independent used car inspection service here similar to what the RAC etc offer in the UK?

any other general tips or advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Matthijs]

1. You'll get some dealer-plates and insurance will be provided by the dealer. They probally want a copy of your driverslicense and you need to sign a simple form.

2. The afleverkosten are a dumb way of making money, haggle a bit and make them drop it. Other than that, not really any scams, just beware of dodgey dealers. (look for a BOVAG company, all brand dealers are connected, but not all independant dealers)

3: You can go to a garage and ask for a ANWB-purchase check, they will check the standard stuff, not sure what a HPI check is, but I imagine its about the same)

4: Beware of dealers, not sure where you are in The Netherlands, but Apeldoorn has a lot of dealers selling totalled cars from Germany and in Rotterdam stay away from Jet Cars. Also we are great at bhing about everthing, so use google to find info about a dealer.


If you need more help, I'll be happy to help (im just nog technical)

[halfpenny43]

Matthijs said:

1. You'll get some dealer-plates and insurance will be provided by the dealer. They probally want a copy of your driverslicense and you need to sign a simple form.

2. The afleverkosten are a dumb way of making money, haggle a bit and make them drop it. Other than that, not really any scams, just beware of dodgey dealers. (look for a BOVAG company, all brand dealers are connected, but not all independant dealers)

3: You can go to a garage and ask for a ANWB-purchase check, they will check the standard stuff, not sure what a HPI check is, but I imagine its about the same)

4: Beware of dealers, not sure where you are in The Netherlands, but Apeldoorn has a lot of dealers selling totalled cars from Germany and in Rotterdam stay away from Jet Cars. Also we are great at bhing about everthing, so use google to find info about a dealer.


If you need more help, I'll be happy to help (im just nog technical)

As Matthijs said.

Not sure if you read Dutch but the ANWB website (equivalent of the AA) has some useful tips on buying a car - however it's all in Dutch.
http://www.anwb.nl/auto/koop-en-verkoop/auto-kopen...

Regarding the HPI check - I am not aware of a similar check against outstanding finance on a car, but the ANWB can help check a vehicles mileage and history are correct.

[benz0]

Hi Matthijs and Halfpenny!

Thank you very much for your useful feedback. Funny you mention Jetcars!! I noticed them on Marktplaats recently and I just got a very dodgy feeling from their adverts. The cars were just too cheap for what they were and something just smelt wrong about it. Is it bad of me that I rule out any cars listed in Rotterdam full stop? Lol!

I've spotted a motor that looks honest to me and ticks the boxes that I'm looking for..

link: http://vl.autotrack.nl/consumer/car?consumer_id=88...

I don't know if either of you know anything about the reputation of the garage but they are BOVAG and the cars they have listed all look reasonably decent to me. My first impressions are positive, at least.

When it comes to guarantees etc, this car only has an APK to October, but it does have Volvo service history and the cambelt was done in 2012. I will go and look at it and if I like it, I'll try to negotiate on the cost of having a new APK and service thrown in. I may also get an ANWB inspection done prior to handing over the cash. Although I think I can get a similar inspection done at a Volvo main dealer. But that might be more hassle than the ANWB one.

Thanks again!

[benz0]

One more question.. Will the ANWB travel to do an inspection, or do you have to take the car to them? As far as I can tell they only have inspection centres in Den Haag and Utrecht. I live in Den Haag but the car I'm going to see is by Breda... Are there any alternatives to ANWB for this, if so?

Thanks!

Ben