Buying privately

[VanMan48]

Been looking for 'the van' for a while and found one that ticks every box. It's a private seller and the van ('24 plate with about 10k miles) still has a year of VW warranty left on it, just been serviced by them with no issues.

Having not bought privately for about 20 years I was wondering what, if any, other checks people do that are worth doing? RAC check or anything? The van is a fair distance away but the seller has been great to deal with so far.

I guess there's no comeback as opposed to a dealer if something crops up with the van, but then I guess the warranty covers some of that worry.

 

[Chippie1]

So I bought mine privately (off a member on here)
Same a year or so old 9,000 miles still under warranty.
It is a daunting process and a lot of money at stake over £45,000 in my case!
Just done my due diligence with checks etc but member was great in providing me with vehicle history more than required to be fair to put my mind at rest.
I took it as hopefully as it’s so new and low milage with warranty still in place there wasn’t to much that could go wrong!

 

[DXX]

I’d do a Millers oil analysis providing the oil service wasn’t too recent, at least you’ll have a good indication regarding the state of the engine.

 

[VanMan48]

So I bought mine privately (off a member on here)
Same a year or so old 9,000 miles still under warranty.
It is a daunting process and a lot of money at stake over £45,000 in my case!
Just done my due diligence with checks etc but member was great in providing me with vehicle history more than required to be fair to put my mind at rest.
I took it as hopefully as it’s so new and low milage with warranty still in place there wasn’t to much that could go wrong!

Yeah, I think there is only so much checking that can be done. Transferring £30k or so to someones bank account seems daunting. The fact it still has warranty with low miles and been serviced are reassuring factors. If it was a mega high milage van I think I'd be more cautious.

 

[VanMan48]

I’d do a Millers oil analysis providing the oil service wasn’t too recent, at least you’ll have a good indication regarding the state of the engine.

Thats a good idea. I think the oil service was done recently but I'll ask.

 

[Sasquatch]

Get it professionally inspected. AA and the like will do it for a couple,a hundred snifters. Having some warranty left is small consolation if it's been in a smack and the repair was 'unrecorded', ie, paid for privately with no insurance involvement.

 

[Salty Spuds]

You need to make sure there’s no outstanding finance on it.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Just make sure it’s not a bi turbo

 

[Drive Wayne]

Have you been to see it? Get a feel for the seller, make sure it's at their house, have a coffee in their kitchen!
Take someone who has a code reader, Carista or betterer, when various fault codes inevitably come up the price could come down!

 

[Chippie1]

Just make sure it’s not a bi turbo

Now now no need for that they ain’t all bad

 

[bubbadubba]

Get it professionally inspected. AA and the like will do it for a couple,a hundred snifters. Having some warranty left is small consolation if it's been in a smack and the repair was 'unrecorded', ie, paid for privately with no insurance involvement.

This is great advice......not all accidents are recorded.
An independent inspection is a small price to pay on your investment for peace of mind.
Also definitely check on outstanding finance as somebody else has said as there could be a "debt" attached to the vehicle. I'm not sure if an independent inspection would check the financial side of things?
Other than that if you buy it get signed up to the "all in warranty" after the year remaining is up and you are all set

 

[VanMan48]

You need to make sure there’s no outstanding finance on it.

Thats come back clear

 

[VanMan48]

Just make sure it’s not a bi turbo

Its TDI 150

 

[VanMan48]

Have you been to see it? Get a feel for the seller, make sure it's at their house, have a coffee in their kitchen!
Take someone who has a code reader, Carista or betterer, when various fault codes inevitably come up the price could come down!

No it's 200 miles away but initial comms have been positive. Would the AA etc be able to plug in a code reader?

 

[VanMan48]

This is great advice......not all accidents are recorded.
An independent inspection is a small price to pay on your investment for peace of mind.
Also definitely check on outstanding finance as somebody else has said as there could be a "debt" attached to the vehicle. I'm not sure if an independent inspection would check the financial side of things?
Other than that if you buy it get signed up to the "all in warranty" after the year remaining is up and you are all set

Good advice. I paid for an online check of the reg and its come back all clear finance wise.

 

[Drive Wayne]

No it's 200 miles away but initial comms have been positive. Would the AA etc be able to plug in a code reader?

I would like to hope so! Difficult to argue a discount if they do it though!

 

[Sasquatch]

No it's 200 miles away but initial comms have been positive. Would the AA etc be able to plug in a code reader?

Yes, if you select the appropriate option. I've used them a few times and theyre anally thorough.

Vehicle inspection | Pre-purchase car inspections | The AA

Buying a used car, van or SUV? Book an AA vehicle inspection to check its health. Choose a basic or comprehensive check with up to 206 points tested.

www.theaa.com

 

[DXX]

Have you been to see it? Get a feel for the seller, make sure it's at their house, have a coffee in their kitchen!
Take someone who has a code reader, Carista or betterer, when various fault codes inevitably come up the price could come down!

Carista will importantly show when the last fault code reset was made, if it was done very recently make a few enquiries.

 

[soldas]

I've got my AA report I had completed when I brought my van. PM me if you want a copy to see the level of detail they go into. I was impressed with the output. I guess some of it is down to the person doing the inspection... They gave me a call straight after and went over everything. Very much worth the money for knowing the van (not the conversation) was sound.

 

[Drive Wayne]

No it's 200 miles away but initial comms have been positive. Would the AA etc be able to plug in a code reader?

Wife and I drove 200 miles to see ours before we bought it, and had to drive through Bradford to get there! Same journey again a week later to collect it, then once more when the first solar panel packed up. Nasty but essential, IMHO, drive when you're spending serious money.