Best Practice For Buying Second Hand Car (Private)

B

b_crazy

Expert Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
3,338
Reaction score
23
Location
Jo'burg
Can anybody advise on this?

I'm not really sure how this should work. What are the best next step after seeing a second hand car from a private seller?

Do I have the finances? Yes.

What happens next? Test drive, roadworthy check, affidavit?

I need the proper procedures because I got burnt really bad and lost money the last time I tried to buy a car (from a dealer) <<<don't focus on this for now
 
Someone gave me advice once in which you approach a car dealer that your trust and ask them to facilitate the deal. The biggest problem here is money/car changing hands.

With a dealer, and an agreed commission or facilitation fee, it should work out ok...
 
the graduate said:
Someone gave me advice once in which you approach a car dealer that your trust and ask them to facilitate the deal. The biggest problem here is money/car changing hands.

With a dealer, and an agreed commission or facilitation fee, it should work out ok...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply but my faith in dealers has been lost. I don't know any dealers in any case.
 
Get an agreement of sale drawn up with your attorney, and let him conclude the deal. If you have an AA center near you, take the car there for a full checkup, well worth it IMHO.
 
AAAutobay.co.za...?

Anyway, I bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 Sportline off gumtree.co.za and we agreed on a price and method of payment. I went to the bank, they issued a bank check of the agreed amount. We then set up a written contract in which our ID numbers and home address were stated, the VIN and Engine no. of the car and the agreed amount. Both of us signed the paper and we had a witness as well. He then gave me the papers of the car and I gave him the bank check. He was rather nervous and asked if we can deposit the money into his account and ask for clearence. I agreed and about 45min later I dropped him off at his house with MY "new" car...

In the end I was fortunate to conclude a deal with someone "as nervous as" me in this sort of thing. He was a lot older though and seemed a little more relaxed about the whole event until I gave him the check....I guess then all hell broke loose in his head and he wanted extra security...

EDIT: When you register the car in your name you will need this "contract". It does not have to be an attorney but if you have a lawyer friend who will do it for you for free, then do that, else write it up yourself.
 
Last edited:
the graduate said:
AAAutobay.co.za...?

Anyway, I bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 Sportline off gumtree.co.za and we agreed on a price and method of payment. I went to the bank, they issued a bank check of the agreed amount. We then set up a written contract in which our ID numbers and home address were stated, the VIN and Engine no. of the car and the agreed amount. Both of us signed the paper and we had a witness as well. He then gave me the papers of the car and I gave him the bank check. He was rather nervous and asked if we can deposit the money into his account and ask for clearence. I agreed and about 45min later I dropped him off at his house with MY "new" car...

In the end I was fortunate to conclude a deal with someone "as nervous as" me in this sort of thing. He was a lot older though and seemed a little more relaxed about the whole event until I gave him the check....I guess then all hell broke loose in his head and he wanted extra security...

EDIT: When you register the car in your name you will need this "contract". It does not have to be an attorney but if you have a lawyer friend who will do it for you for free, then do that, else write it up yourself.
Click to expand...

That's how it's done. None of this "go give your money to this guy so it can be done properly". [Hate middlemen.]
 
the graduate said:
AAAutobay.co.za...?

Anyway, I bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 Sportline off gumtree.co.za and we agreed on a price and method of payment. I went to the bank, they issued a bank check of the agreed amount. We then set up a written contract in which our ID numbers and home address were stated, the VIN and Engine no. of the car and the agreed amount. Both of us signed the paper and we had a witness as well. He then gave me the papers of the car and I gave him the bank check. He was rather nervous and asked if we can deposit the money into his account and ask for clearence. I agreed and about 45min later I dropped him off at his house with MY "new" car...

In the end I was fortunate to conclude a deal with someone "as nervous as" me in this sort of thing. He was a lot older though and seemed a little more relaxed about the whole event until I gave him the check....I guess then all hell broke loose in his head and he wanted extra security...

EDIT: When you register the car in your name you will need this "contract". It does not have to be an attorney but if you have a lawyer friend who will do it for you for free, then do that, else write it up yourself.
Click to expand...

All that and make sure you get all the vehicle registration forms from the previous owner. At least also ask if there are any outstanding fines on the vehicle, as this could set you back quite a few rand when you go to register the vehicle. Best yet is to make that a condition of sale in the mentioned "contract". I've heard of people having to cough up thousands of rands for outstanding fines and penalties. Although it might not be so pleasant, but get all this sorted before you pay for the vehicle, it could save you huge headaches later on.
 
MFour said:
All that and make sure you get all the vehicle registration forms from the previous owner. At least also ask if there are any outstanding fines on the vehicle, as this could set you back quite a few rand when you go to register the vehicle. Best yet is to make that a condition of sale in the mentioned "contract". I've heard of people having to cough up thousands of rands for outstanding fines and penalties. Although it might not be so pleasant, but get all this sorted before you pay for the vehicle, it could save you huge headaches later on.
Click to expand...

I've heard of a couple of cases where the outstanding fines have sprung up. I'm sure this can be checked at the metro offices when getting the registration papers transferred?
 
the graduate said:
AAAutobay.co.za...?

Anyway, I bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 Sportline off gumtree.co.za and we agreed on a price and method of payment. I went to the bank, they issued a bank check of the agreed amount. We then set up a written contract in which our ID numbers and home address were stated, the VIN and Engine no. of the car and the agreed amount. Both of us signed the paper and we had a witness as well. He then gave me the papers of the car and I gave him the bank check. He was rather nervous and asked if we can deposit the money into his account and ask for clearence. I agreed and about 45min later I dropped him off at his house with MY "new" car...

In the end I was fortunate to conclude a deal with someone "as nervous as" me in this sort of thing. He was a lot older though and seemed a little more relaxed about the whole event until I gave him the check....I guess then all hell broke loose in his head and he wanted extra security...

EDIT: When you register the car in your name you will need this "contract". It does not have to be an attorney but if you have a lawyer friend who will do it for you for free, then do that, else write it up yourself.
Click to expand...

That seems clear cut enough to follow. I'll definitely do that, thanks mil. :D
 
b_crazy said:
I've heard of a couple of cases where the outstanding fines have sprung up. I'm sure this can be checked at the metro offices when getting the registration papers transferred?
Click to expand...

Indeed, they should have a full record on their system.
 
When I received a fine in the post shortly after buying a car, all I did was send a copy of the registration papers showing the date I had bought the car, along with a letter mentioning that I did not own the car at the time of the offence. I received confirmation that the fine had been re-issued in the former owners name a few weeks later.
 
Yes, but if the previous owner refuses to pay or pulls a disappearing act, you won't be able to register the vehicle on your name until the outstanding fines and penalties have been paid.
 
Thanks for the clarification.

Of course in a fair world, the fine should be in the name of the owner, and not be tied the vehicle.
 
Colin62 said:
Thanks for the clarification.

Of course in a fair world, the fine should be in the name of the owner, and not be tied the vehicle.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised it's not like that already. This info is exactly what I required.
 
Colin62 said:
Thanks for the clarification.

Of course in a fair world, the fine should be in the name of the owner, and not be tied the vehicle.
Click to expand...

If you go to Payfine, you will find that the fine is attached to your ID number, so it does stick with you. It only pops up as belonging to the vehicle because of the registration certificate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X