Purchasing a car from another province/city - where to start?

[PhireSide]

Hey guys

I'm currently looking at a car that I'd like to purchase in Johannesburg, the only problem being is that I am in PE. It is from a private seller, and the car is second hand.

I am going to speak to the finance house today and see what they can offer me, and I already have quotes on insurance for the specific model, year and kilos. If my finance is approved, what do I need to do next?

This will be my first ever car I'm financing, so any tips will be appreciated. I will probably just have AA or Dekra look at it for peace of mind (even though I've heard mixed reports from them), and I have family that can go and have a look at it as well

Thanks!

 

[NeonNinja]

What car is this? #OutofInterest.

 

[PhireSide]

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI. I realise it's a gamble to buy a 2nd hand turbodiesel, but from the pics I saw it looks very well looked after and it suits my needs

 

[Venomous]

walk away.

you should not buy that vehicle, unless you or a friend can ensure that it has undergone the full AA/Dekra technical test first. It will cost you a few rand, but R1.5k is wizely spent doing that.

 

[Venomous]

oh and ask for the vin number and registration number.

then contact a ford ask them for the vehicle's history, and get a police clearance check on the vehicle.

 

[Fazda]

Where to start?

Walk away.

 

[LCBXX]

Walk away. You WILL find something similar/better much closer to your place soon.

 

[Venomous]

/says it again

walk away

 

[Mr_M]

Walk away.

 

[PhireSide]

/says it again

walk away

Walk away. You WILL find something similar/better much closer to your place soon.

Where to start?

Walk away.

Walk away.

walk away.

you should not buy that vehicle, unless you or a friend can ensure that it has undergone the full AA/Dekra technical test first. It will cost you a few rand, but R1.5k is wizely spent doing that.

I think I got the 'walking away' part. Thanks

Question - why? Is it because of 2nd hand turbodiesel? Because it is in another city? Because it is a Focus and somehow they are just crap cars?

 

[Frikkenator]

I think I got the 'walking away' part. Thanks

Question - why? Is it because of 2nd hand turbodiesel? Because it is in another city? Because it is a Focus and somehow they are just crap cars?

Because pictures don't tell the whole story, you need to see it for yourself, test drive it, meet the seller in person and have an AA check done. After all of that you will have about 75% of the story, but there's not much you can do about the other 25%.

 

[PhireSide]

Because pictures don't tell the whole story, you need to see it for yourself, test drive it, meet the seller in person and have an AA check done. After all of that you will have about 75% of the story, but there's not much you can do about the other 25%.

Understandable. My plan is to have my family member check it out and take it for a test drive, pay for the Dekra/AA inspection, have Ford check the history out (thanks for the suggestion), police check and then if I'm happy fly up, test drive it myself and purchase it.

The nearest one I could find here in the EC had double the amount of kilos on the odo for more or less the same price and I'd prefer an inland car due to there being generally less humidity and chance of rust if the car lived there for it's entire life

 

[Fazda]

Problem is, is that it is a private deal.

If it was a large dealership with some accountability, you might be OK.

In this case, however, you have to remember that you will have no CPA protection should things go sour.

I would honestly walk away from it for that reason.

 

[PhireSide]

Problem is, is that it is a private deal.

If it was a large dealership with some accountability, you might be OK.

In this case, however, you have to remember that you will have no CPA protection should things go sour.

I would honestly walk away from it for that reason.

Fair enough. In other words there is no guarantee that around the first corner that I take the car won't fall apart or blow the engine?

I do understand the risk involved and it is unfortunately a gamble :/

 

[Venomous]

Fair enough. In other words there is no guarantee that around the first corner that I take the car won't fall apart or blow the engine?

I do understand the risk involved and it is unfortunately a gamble :/

And If the engine fails 10km later, you cannot claim it from that owner, and you would have to continue paying the bank....

 

[PhireSide]

Just for interest's sake, what would a typical warranty/guarantee from a dealer- purchased second hand car be? Let's say Ford, in this case

 

[ponder]

Just for interest's sake, what would a typical warranty/guarantee from a dealer- purchased second hand car be? Let's say Ford, in this case

I don't think you can get one from a dealer. You would have to go for one of those third party things which I've not heard much good about.

 

[Venomous]

Just for interest's sake, what would a typical warranty/guarantee from a dealer- purchased second hand car be? Let's say Ford, in this case

Most dealers will offer 30 days or 1000km, if out of warranty, and you can buy an extended 3rd party policy.
If a bit newer, but still within the manufacturer's warranty period, then the renainder of that. Example If the car originally got 5 years, and it is a year old, then the remaining 4 years.

There is also the vehicle ombudsman that can assist you in resolving issues with dealers.

 

[PhireSide]

Hmmmm okay no I'm looking at slightly older ones, so chances are good it won't carry the original factory warranty. 30 days does give a person some peace of mind, but then again I will probably do 1000 km well before that. Tough call

 

[Colin62]

I think I got the 'walking away' part. Thanks

Question - why? Is it because of 2nd hand turbodiesel? Because it is in another city? Because it is a Focus and somehow they are just crap cars?

Financing a private sale from 1000km away with a seller who you don't know well is not for the faint hearted. I financed a private sale on a car I bought from a colleague sitting in the same building as me, and despite us both running around with paperwork coming out our ears, it took a few weeks for him to get his money. If we weren't friends as well as colleagues, and if he wasn't OK with the delays, it would not have been possible.

I recently bought a car from a dealer in Jo'burg, and I'm in KZN, and because made a quick trip to drive the car, I couldn't take my time to decide, couldn't go back next day and have a second look, and quite frankly I may have decided against it if I did have that opportunity.

And then there's the fact that you have no comebacks with a private seller.