What should I expect when having a used car delivered?
Discussion
Hi. I'm planning to buy a second hand car from a dealer and have it delivered. I'm looking for some advice on doing this with confidence.
I haven't been able to see the car myself, but have sent a mechanic who has done a report which checks out quite well.
I'm nervous about buying without seeing it, but it's too far to travel and it's the car which best meets my spec and budget having searched a lot online.
Has anyone done this before? What should I expect in the way of process/paperwork/protection throughout this?
They have advised next steps are to pay a holding deposit of a couple of hundred pounds, then when the car is loaded and ready to go on the delivery vehicle, I transfer the rest and get a receipt.
What other paperwork should I expect at that point?
Any advice appreciated as to what steps I can take to protect myself.
I haven't been able to see the car myself, but have sent a mechanic who has done a report which checks out quite well.
I'm nervous about buying without seeing it, but it's too far to travel and it's the car which best meets my spec and budget having searched a lot online.
Has anyone done this before? What should I expect in the way of process/paperwork/protection throughout this?
They have advised next steps are to pay a holding deposit of a couple of hundred pounds, then when the car is loaded and ready to go on the delivery vehicle, I transfer the rest and get a receipt.
What other paperwork should I expect at that point?
Any advice appreciated as to what steps I can take to protect myself.
What is the car and how much is it?
If its quite expensive and rare to find the one you want and in the right spec why not jump on a train / plane / lift off a mate etc to go and see it / buy it...?
I once travelled from London to Wrexham to pick up a Discovery 4, as it was the tight car, colour spec etc and as I was paying £13k for it I felt it was worth it.
I've also bought a couple of cars unseen and had them delivered to me, mainly around Covid times...
Each time the dealer arranged the delivery, I agreed to pay for the delivery cost in advance and the balance on the car once delivered and checked that all ok. If you are arranging your own delivery obviously the dealer won't want to release the car until its fully paid for.
I'd ask for the dealer to send a good quality walk around video of the car, with them showing it starting up etc and showing all the paperwork etc for it.
I'd also confirm if its being delivered on a truck or if its being driven (300 miles?).
I'd also be checking the reviews of the dealer etc, I'd also want to pay at least £100 on a credit card for Section 75 protection. Additionally you would be covered by distance selling rules.
Good luck
If its quite expensive and rare to find the one you want and in the right spec why not jump on a train / plane / lift off a mate etc to go and see it / buy it...?
I once travelled from London to Wrexham to pick up a Discovery 4, as it was the tight car, colour spec etc and as I was paying £13k for it I felt it was worth it.
I've also bought a couple of cars unseen and had them delivered to me, mainly around Covid times...
Each time the dealer arranged the delivery, I agreed to pay for the delivery cost in advance and the balance on the car once delivered and checked that all ok. If you are arranging your own delivery obviously the dealer won't want to release the car until its fully paid for.
I'd ask for the dealer to send a good quality walk around video of the car, with them showing it starting up etc and showing all the paperwork etc for it.
I'd also confirm if its being delivered on a truck or if its being driven (300 miles?).
I'd also be checking the reviews of the dealer etc, I'd also want to pay at least £100 on a credit card for Section 75 protection. Additionally you would be covered by distance selling rules.
Good luck
Only done it once and it was when Covid restrictions were just lifting so I suspect the dealer was more helpful than he otherwise may have been.
Was my wifes mini Countryman from a main dealer as approved used so not a cheap car, the salesman drove to our house which would have been a good couple of hours drive each way, my wife had a test drive whilst the salesman stayed with me at my house and we chatted about cars then when the wife confirmed she was happy I had a quick nosey over it to make sure there were no glaring issues and we did all the money transfer and V5 transfer sat at my dining table with our respective laptops.
Was my wifes mini Countryman from a main dealer as approved used so not a cheap car, the salesman drove to our house which would have been a good couple of hours drive each way, my wife had a test drive whilst the salesman stayed with me at my house and we chatted about cars then when the wife confirmed she was happy I had a quick nosey over it to make sure there were no glaring issues and we did all the money transfer and V5 transfer sat at my dining table with our respective laptops.
I've bought several used cars from dealers a fair distance away, it's not something I'd generally do again unless for a pre-reg as any issues with older cars are a pain to sort out if the dealer is far away. Older/higher mileage cars are bound to have something that requires attention. Should things turn out bad, then you have the hassle of getting it back to them for rejection too.
You've had the car checked out by a mechanic though, so should be in a better position.
I did buy a pre-reg car this year through carwow that came from a dealer 300 miles away though.
Delivery on a transporter would have been £300, about £1 per mile. Much better than having a car driven to you, as there's a chance the delivery driver will want to make fast progress.
But instead I travelled up and got a cheap room in a premier inn so I had time to check the car out near the dealer before driving back the next day - total expenses were less than a third the transporter cost so I made £200 for my time.
The paperwork is much better handled in person, but can be done remotely without too much hassle.
You've had the car checked out by a mechanic though, so should be in a better position.
I did buy a pre-reg car this year through carwow that came from a dealer 300 miles away though.
Delivery on a transporter would have been £300, about £1 per mile. Much better than having a car driven to you, as there's a chance the delivery driver will want to make fast progress.
But instead I travelled up and got a cheap room in a premier inn so I had time to check the car out near the dealer before driving back the next day - total expenses were less than a third the transporter cost so I made £200 for my time.
The paperwork is much better handled in person, but can be done remotely without too much hassle.
randlemarcus said:
I'm honestly surprised anyone below glass palace main dealers are still doing this. It seems to stack the consumer rights way above collection, even giving usage and collection charges.
Sadly it’s a case of moving with the times. We do a lot of distance sales and most people are genuine, there are however some people that play the system and as you mention the laws stacked in their favour. Overall if you do things right customers are happy.We seem to have got off lightly as I know a dealer that has taken a £25k hit on a car he sold just under 6 months ago due to a problem that was alleged to have been there at point of sale.
I did this very thing in December as the car was a one way 5 hour drive from me. I'm used to travelling long distances for my cars but have always done it in person and have actually seen the car before paying anything more than a deposit. This time I only had photos and an AA report to go on.
I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
Thanks all. It's a 2016 Citroen Grand Picasso. A good price and meets all my spec.
I don't currently have a credit card but maybe I should quickly get one and request to pay £100 on it just for this.
The car would be delivered on a truck.
From what I've read, it seems to vary on whether the dealer usually requires payment up front, (or as it's being loaded onto the truck), or on delivery, or a combination.
He's requested the full amount once the car is loaded and ready to go, and said he will send a picture once that's the case, at which point I'm to transfer.
Any further thoughts on that? I also think I would be better protected paying via debit card than BACS. He has requested BACS.
I don't currently have a credit card but maybe I should quickly get one and request to pay £100 on it just for this.
The car would be delivered on a truck.
From what I've read, it seems to vary on whether the dealer usually requires payment up front, (or as it's being loaded onto the truck), or on delivery, or a combination.
He's requested the full amount once the car is loaded and ready to go, and said he will send a picture once that's the case, at which point I'm to transfer.
Any further thoughts on that? I also think I would be better protected paying via debit card than BACS. He has requested BACS.
MarkJS said:
I did this very thing in December as the car was a one way 5 hour drive from me. I'm used to travelling long distances for my cars but have always done it in person and have actually seen the car before paying anything more than a deposit. This time I only had photos and an AA report to go on.
I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
That's good to hear. I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
How did you pay?
I did this. Bought a Mk7.5 Golf gti (manuel, three door FYI) from Devon. I’m in the North-east. Assumed the dealer wouldn’t deliver that far but happy to!
Three quick phone calls; deposit, road tax/confirmation of MOT, final balance before delivery. Easy peasy.
Now I shouldn’t quibble, assumptions were made at my end, but I was a bit surprised to be called to ask if I could drop the driver off at the local station. He duly arrived. I find the car had been driven up country, filthy and nearly on fumes. Would’ve been great if after spending nearly 20k, if they could’ve topped up the tank and given it a wash. Took the shine (pun intended) off it slightly.
Great car but this thread brought back memories.
Three quick phone calls; deposit, road tax/confirmation of MOT, final balance before delivery. Easy peasy.
Now I shouldn’t quibble, assumptions were made at my end, but I was a bit surprised to be called to ask if I could drop the driver off at the local station. He duly arrived. I find the car had been driven up country, filthy and nearly on fumes. Would’ve been great if after spending nearly 20k, if they could’ve topped up the tank and given it a wash. Took the shine (pun intended) off it slightly.
Great car but this thread brought back memories.
If it's being driven to you make sure you get the driver to sign for the date and time of hand over.
Then when the speeding ticket lands on your mat the next week you won't have to prove it wasn't you.
The chap who delivered mine got all the way from Milto Keynes to Lowestoft then got a ticket 2 miles from my house.
And yes I did get a time for the hand over and you could also see the trade plate. (Just) on the dash on the speed camera photo.
Then when the speeding ticket lands on your mat the next week you won't have to prove it wasn't you.
The chap who delivered mine got all the way from Milto Keynes to Lowestoft then got a ticket 2 miles from my house.
And yes I did get a time for the hand over and you could also see the trade plate. (Just) on the dash on the speed camera photo.
At the end of last year I bought a 2019 Fiesta ST from a Vauxhall main dealer under their Approved Used scheme, it was a 3 hour drive from me but similar to others it was exactly the spec I was looking for and a good price so I bought it without going to look.
The salesman did a walk around video and there were lots of pictures on their website, his description of it was a bit flattering, more stone chips than described and alloys in worse condition than he said but overall happy so couldn't be bothered to argue.
Likewise it had an airbag light come on, if I had been local they would have taken it into their workshop and sorted it, as I'm not it ended up at a local garage who got messed around by the warranty company so I ended up paying but only £66 so again not worth getting upset about.
I expected a main dealer to have their own transport but apparently delivery went out to tender so took a few days but turned up in nice clean condition on the back of an old transporter driven by a very efficient Eastern European man.
I would do the same again for something average like a Fiesta and from a main dealer, I wouldn't on something more specialist or from a back street garage.
The salesman did a walk around video and there were lots of pictures on their website, his description of it was a bit flattering, more stone chips than described and alloys in worse condition than he said but overall happy so couldn't be bothered to argue.
Likewise it had an airbag light come on, if I had been local they would have taken it into their workshop and sorted it, as I'm not it ended up at a local garage who got messed around by the warranty company so I ended up paying but only £66 so again not worth getting upset about.
I expected a main dealer to have their own transport but apparently delivery went out to tender so took a few days but turned up in nice clean condition on the back of an old transporter driven by a very efficient Eastern European man.
I would do the same again for something average like a Fiesta and from a main dealer, I wouldn't on something more specialist or from a back street garage.
MmmLombardo said:
MarkJS said:
I did this very thing in December as the car was a one way 5 hour drive from me. I'm used to travelling long distances for my cars but have always done it in person and have actually seen the car before paying anything more than a deposit. This time I only had photos and an AA report to go on.
I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
That's good to hear. I was a little nervous to be honest as like the OP, I had to pay the full balance before the car was loaded onto the delivery truck and all I had was an emailed receipt for the initial deposit and then full balance.
The car was delivered around 90 minutes later than planned due to heavy Friday PM traffic but the car was exactly as described and the very nice gentleman who was driving the delivery truck handed me a folder containing all documents relating to the car along with it's spare key. The whole thing was over in less than 10 minutes from the truck arriving at my house and leaving.
2000+ miles later, the car hasn't skipped a beat and I haven't uncovered any nasty surprises.
How did you pay?
This wasn’t a main dealer - just an independent used car dealer.
An update, it's getting murky.
It turns out the car has no logbook. This was not made clear previously. The dealer says he has acquired the car through a no win no fee solicitor, and v5c is not passed on, or is passed on with details redacted, in this instance. It would have been an accident claim where the claimant was paid out and the vehicle retained by the solicitor, who sold it on to the dealer.
The dealer says they do this all the time, and I can see that indeed many people so buy and sell cars without the logbook despite the complications and risk. I suppose the trade off is the lower price, and it is priced accordingly.
I have familiarised myself with the process, and the dealer proposes to submit a V62 on my behalf at the point of sale.
However, I have checked with the DVLA, and the vehicle is not 'in trade', machine it is still registered with the previous owner. Therefore the process becomes that they must allow up to six weeks to confirm with the registered keeper that they no longer own the car.
The dealer had assured me I could drive the car straight away, and that the V62 would allow it to be taxed on my behalf at the point of sale. This appears to be legitimate, but not in my case given it's not 'in trade'. This is my major concern, and suggests the dealer is not being authentic. Perhaps they are unaware of the tax situation, but that seems unlikely. Or I guess more likely they don't care, and are happy to sell the car with the false assurance that the customer can drive it immediately. Worst case, maybe something else entirely is going on? But what? All the checks come back clear, and the car has recently passed the MOT and mechanic check. It's a very good deal, and I'm still tempted despite all these admittedly red flags to risk it. Mainly because I can't really plausibly see what the risk is, other than not being able to drive it now.
I'm not particularly concerned about waiting that long to drive it. I'm more concerned about any other issues I might be missing at this stage.
Help?!
It turns out the car has no logbook. This was not made clear previously. The dealer says he has acquired the car through a no win no fee solicitor, and v5c is not passed on, or is passed on with details redacted, in this instance. It would have been an accident claim where the claimant was paid out and the vehicle retained by the solicitor, who sold it on to the dealer.
The dealer says they do this all the time, and I can see that indeed many people so buy and sell cars without the logbook despite the complications and risk. I suppose the trade off is the lower price, and it is priced accordingly.
I have familiarised myself with the process, and the dealer proposes to submit a V62 on my behalf at the point of sale.
However, I have checked with the DVLA, and the vehicle is not 'in trade', machine it is still registered with the previous owner. Therefore the process becomes that they must allow up to six weeks to confirm with the registered keeper that they no longer own the car.
The dealer had assured me I could drive the car straight away, and that the V62 would allow it to be taxed on my behalf at the point of sale. This appears to be legitimate, but not in my case given it's not 'in trade'. This is my major concern, and suggests the dealer is not being authentic. Perhaps they are unaware of the tax situation, but that seems unlikely. Or I guess more likely they don't care, and are happy to sell the car with the false assurance that the customer can drive it immediately. Worst case, maybe something else entirely is going on? But what? All the checks come back clear, and the car has recently passed the MOT and mechanic check. It's a very good deal, and I'm still tempted despite all these admittedly red flags to risk it. Mainly because I can't really plausibly see what the risk is, other than not being able to drive it now.
I'm not particularly concerned about waiting that long to drive it. I'm more concerned about any other issues I might be missing at this stage.
Help?!
MmmLombardo said:
An update, it's getting murky.
It turns out the car has no logbook. This was not made clear previously. The dealer says he has acquired the car through a no win no fee solicitor, and v5c is not passed on, or is passed on with details redacted, in this instance. It would have been an accident claim where the claimant was paid out and the vehicle retained by the solicitor, who sold it on to the dealer.
The dealer says they do this all the time, and I can see that indeed many people so buy and sell cars without the logbook despite the complications and risk. I suppose the trade off is the lower price, and it is priced accordingly.
I have familiarised myself with the process, and the dealer proposes to submit a V62 on my behalf at the point of sale.
However, I have checked with the DVLA, and the vehicle is not 'in trade', machine it is still registered with the previous owner. Therefore the process becomes that they must allow up to six weeks to confirm with the registered keeper that they no longer own the car.
The dealer had assured me I could drive the car straight away, and that the V62 would allow it to be taxed on my behalf at the point of sale. This appears to be legitimate, but not in my case given it's not 'in trade'. This is my major concern, and suggests the dealer is not being authentic. Perhaps they are unaware of the tax situation, but that seems unlikely. Or I guess more likely they don't care, and are happy to sell the car with the false assurance that the customer can drive it immediately. Worst case, maybe something else entirely is going on? But what? All the checks come back clear, and the car has recently passed the MOT and mechanic check. It's a very good deal, and I'm still tempted despite all these admittedly red flags to risk it. Mainly because I can't really plausibly see what the risk is, other than not being able to drive it now.
I'm not particularly concerned about waiting that long to drive it. I'm more concerned about any other issues I might be missing at this stage.
Help?!
More red flags than Chinese Communist Party Conference. Save your time, money and blood pressure and buy something else.It turns out the car has no logbook. This was not made clear previously. The dealer says he has acquired the car through a no win no fee solicitor, and v5c is not passed on, or is passed on with details redacted, in this instance. It would have been an accident claim where the claimant was paid out and the vehicle retained by the solicitor, who sold it on to the dealer.
The dealer says they do this all the time, and I can see that indeed many people so buy and sell cars without the logbook despite the complications and risk. I suppose the trade off is the lower price, and it is priced accordingly.
I have familiarised myself with the process, and the dealer proposes to submit a V62 on my behalf at the point of sale.
However, I have checked with the DVLA, and the vehicle is not 'in trade', machine it is still registered with the previous owner. Therefore the process becomes that they must allow up to six weeks to confirm with the registered keeper that they no longer own the car.
The dealer had assured me I could drive the car straight away, and that the V62 would allow it to be taxed on my behalf at the point of sale. This appears to be legitimate, but not in my case given it's not 'in trade'. This is my major concern, and suggests the dealer is not being authentic. Perhaps they are unaware of the tax situation, but that seems unlikely. Or I guess more likely they don't care, and are happy to sell the car with the false assurance that the customer can drive it immediately. Worst case, maybe something else entirely is going on? But what? All the checks come back clear, and the car has recently passed the MOT and mechanic check. It's a very good deal, and I'm still tempted despite all these admittedly red flags to risk it. Mainly because I can't really plausibly see what the risk is, other than not being able to drive it now.
I'm not particularly concerned about waiting that long to drive it. I'm more concerned about any other issues I might be missing at this stage.
Help?!
MmmLombardo said:
randlemarcus said:
How much of a discount from market value are you getting? 25% might tempt me into it. You have done your own finance checks, haven't you?
Yes, about 25%. I've done all the checks, comes up clear.As long as you're going into it with your eyes open, good luck whatever you decide.
Edited by cuprabob on Tuesday 20th February 15:21
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff