Need Help When Buying A Car Some Distance Away?

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by john493

Happy to look at potential purchases in North Oxfordshire / South Warks for serious buyers.

Thank you, your name has been added

[Phil-Hex]

can i just say as a new member what a cracking good idea this is
going to look at a car tomorrow but if its another goose chase its nice to know that there are people prepared to help others in the search
thanks everyone, hopefully once i have a bit more knowledge i'll add my name to the list

[Jules]

It's quite a responsible task this so beware folks!!
There should be some disclaimer agreement between the buyer and the inspector because there could be a hidden or undisclosed reason why the seller is trying to get rid.

ie
An intermittent fault may be present
Car maybe loosing water or oil.
Clutch master may have been topped up (only to fail again a week later) etc etc.

None of the above may show up on a short test drive so it's a case of "Caveat Emptor"

It's still a good idea though and I support it whole heartedly.

[Frank Incensed]

Originally Posted by Jules

..............
An intermittent fault may be present
Car maybe loosing water or oil.
Clutch master may have been topped up (only to fail again a week later) etc etc.

None of the above may show up on a short test drive so it's a case of "Caveat Emptor"

It's still a good idea though and I support it whole heartedly.

I agree. I've just missed looking at a potentially good diesel Tourer for someone, because it was sold between the request on Sunday evening and today. If as advertised, it appeared to be a bargain but, who knows, the clutch and the auxiliary belt pulley could have failed just out of the guarantee period. We can only say whether it's worth the buyer's time and money coming to see the car themselves, not whether the car will be inexpensive to maintain, even in the short term.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Frank Incensed

I agree. I've just missed looking at a potentially good diesel Tourer for someone, because it was sold between the request on Sunday evening and today. If as advertised, it appeared to be a bargain but, who knows, the clutch and the auxiliary belt pulley could have failed just out of the guarantee period. We can only say whether it's worth the buyer's time and money coming to see the car themselves, not whether the car will be inexpensive to maintain, even in the short term.

You are right Frank, it was my friend you were going to see the car for. When he spoke to the garage last night they had sold it that morning after receiving thirty enquiries on it. Based on the advert alone the car looked to be an excellent example but as I discussed to my friend last night whilst I have had four years fault free service from my 75 diesel, given the age and mileage on these cars now as even the youngest are nine years old you can't guarantee something won't go wrong a few days later.

A couple of years ago a friend at work bought a 75 diesel saloon off this site on my recommendation for £1,100 it had from memory 130k on the clock. He was over the moon with it driving it back from Birmingham then rang me two days later to say that the @@@@@ car's front suspension had collapsed. It was only a front spring that had gone and since that was repaired he has had nothing but faultless service from the car for very little money. The buying at a distance service is a great help but as you say is only a guide for whether it's worth the potential purchaser travelling a great distance to view.

Hats off to those members who offer their time to do this for others for free

[Jules]

There is virtually no time to look at a genuine looked after immaculate CDT
They sell like hot cakes
You have to go there with the cash ready otherwise someone else will snatch it up

[Reebs]

Many thanks bobred9 for offering to cover the Northumberland area, I'll add you to the list

[DragonFly]

Although a newbie to this forum, I've quite a track record with Rover's (as per my sig) and in the motor industry in general.

I'd be more than willing to cover the Bristol area.

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by DragonFly

Although a newbie to this forum, I've quite a track record with Rover's (as per my sig) and in the motor industry in general.

I'd be more than willing to cover the Bristol area.

Thank you, I have added you to the list

[Roderick]

As a relatively new member and have been wanting a 75 for ages, we finally got a beautiful 75 CDT Connoisseur SE on Sunday. Snag was we live near Hereford and the car was close to Blackpool. The private seller sounded genuine but not a lot of information. Ken Lion of Radcliffe came to the rescue at very short notice and went to see it for us the day before. Thanks Ken for all your time, effort and informed advice/notes and late night pounding of the keyboard! The seller unaware of this club was quite bowled over by the extent of his knowledge and both our general enthusiasm for the marque. We intend to restore it as much as we can. Thanks again to Ken and all others who can help out in this way.