Buying cars during "lockdown"

Pondy

Pondy

Muppet
 At the summit of the picturesque fens
Hello,

I am in the market for another car. I want to buy privately as am fed with stealers' prices, lack of customer care and "give us your money and p*ss off" attitude. I also have cash so don't need finance.
I recently bought the Z4 via telephone and online video walkround. I had it delivered on a trailer (at my cost). All this to "keep within the rules" of unnecessary journeys, not travelling distance, etc etc. I don't think I would have bought this Z if I had done it the "old" way, or at least would have negotiated more money off.

I have been extremely good for the last 11 months and have taken the pandemic situation very seriously, we even had Xmas alone as wouldn't visit my elderly mother or family.
I really don't know whether I should be actively looking for a private sale car ATM. What about driving it? I am not going to sit in a car with a stranger. Should I be travelling to even see a car? What about payment? I am talking of £20k, not going to get that in cash! Is the person selling taking Covid seriously, as they are inviting people to come to them? This makes me nervous too.

My sensible head says leave it for a while.
My money head says I could get a bargain if someone wants rid (the cars in question are convertibles so should be cheapest time of year). I have money waiting which is earning nothing in the bank. If I wait until the covid situation improves, prices will probably rocket. If the people selling are desperate they will sell to stealers or WBAC for pennies and the cars will appear in the trade for thousands more. Lose lose situation for me.
My "I'm fed up" head says I've done EVERYTHING and more asked of me for 11 months, so I should be allowed to do this one thing as a treat.

I really don't know what I should do. Any thoughts?
 
Going by the government guidelines there is no “treat” option, essential journeys only.
If the new car isn’t essential I’d say you should wait until circumstances improve.
Rob
 
For the sake of a few weeks and an easing of lockdown, I'd wait. Then you can at least do things properly.

I bought my coupe in November and the seller drive the car to me from Reading after I negotiated the price and asked for delivery to be included - effectively saving me time, lowering any risks and ensuring the car got to me without mechanical issue, all at the same time.

After a full wipe down of the interior, I then did more engine/bodywork/suspension checks in my driveway - lots of advice on here with regards what to look out for) - and when satisfied, transferred the money on my phone to his bank.
 
inkey$ said:
For the sake of a few weeks and an easing of lockdown, I'd wait. Then you can at least do things properly.
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I don't think it's going to be a few weeks, though, before it's "safe". More like many months. If this carries on I'll be so old I will be looking at a Honda Jazz instead (or a mobility scooter)!
 
I've also seen a car at very good money on Autotrader that I want. It's there and available but I'm not allowed to buy it.

It's bl*ody typical. I have worked very very hard for many years, not spending money I didn't have. Not having the cars I wanted but having boring cars because they made financial sense. For the first time in my life I have cash in the bank and am able to afford what I want. And another obstacle is put in my way.
 
I would look for a car reasonably local and go and check it out as you normally would, I did the same back in Oct and the old boy originally would not allow me to drive the car until I told him ‘who the hell is going to buy your car or any car without driving it.’ Eventually I left my car keys with him along with my driving licence and off I went. I think going long distance to look at a car would not be acceptable, so if you can’t find anything localish, then wait. My runaround was within 10 miles and I paid by online banking on my phone, so no cash handled.
 
If you want to do it the “old fashioned way” I’d be waiting, yes there may be bargains out there but if you’re not fully able to examine the car because of restrictions you might end up missing something.

My concern, like yours, would be the test drive. If someone is quite happy to take you out, engage with you etc I’d also worry about how much they’re complying with restrictions when you’re not there.

As I said, if it was me, and you’re not wanting to buy remotely again I’d be waiting until you’re happy with how you can conclude the deal in person, restrictions allowing
 
Its all frustrating I know but unless I'm wrong the lockdown states no unnecessary journeys and only essential journeys locally to buy food, visit to pharmacy, one spell of exercise or travel to work if you can't work from home. I would imagine buying and test driving a car you're mixing with another household unless they trust you to test drive the car alone.

Having said all that what's the difference to being in a supermarket in reality :cry:

But I guess buying a car isn't deemed essential unless say you're a key worker in need of transport.

Tim.
 
Argyll Andy said:
As I said, if it was me, and you’re not wanting to buy remotely again I’d be waiting until you’re happy with how you can conclude the deal in person, restrictions allowing
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The car in question is in Harrow, NW London. I'm in Lincolnshire!
It is perfectly acceptable for me to drive to Heathrow and back everyday for work, but not this. I can interact with many people in the offices I work in but not with one person to purchase a car! I understand the thought process behind it (IE earning a living is still more important than sopping the spread) , but it still doesn't make any sense.
Another downside is that I can only do internet banking from a computer, not my phone. I don't like "apps". I suppose I could download the banking app if necessary.
 
I am annoyed that we are all tarred with the same brush; as usual dumbing down to the "lowest common denominator".
I am 53 years old, moderately intelligent, didn't like dealing with people before Covid, let alone now. I can pretty much guarantee no-one is going to catch it from me and I am careful enough not to catch it from them.

So why are all the private cars for sale not removed, if the process of buying them is breaking the law?? Again the stealers can carry on because they are making a living which is OK!
 
Maybe I should pop around to the local nick, slap £200 on the desk and say "there's my fine, I'm off to buy a car".
 
My 2p..we all on here i think mostly try to follow lockdown as best we can..that said we've probably all not followed it to the full on the odd occasion. I know I've been out for the odd drive just to clear my head and get away from it all, however if i was to be pulled and fined then thats ok because I knew what i was doing and I made the choice.
Do all the research you can from home and only make the trip if your 99% sure you will be driving it home.
You get pulled and you pony up the fine with no complaints. You want the car then go buy it in the safest manner you possibly can. Yes its not an essential journey but in some sense life has to go on.. you do the right thing 99.9% of the time then a tiny bit of flexibility isn't too much to ask imho.
 
mr.tourette said:
You get pulled and you pony up the fine with no complaints
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All I have to do is get the seller to say he's a trader, then all of the above is 100% OK. That's my point, it's MAD.
I would also have an issue with paying a fine. If only you knew what I have (and haven't) done in the last 11 months because it was the RIGHT thing to do. I pulled my daughter out of school last March a week they shut them because I wasn't happy. I haven't visited my mother in 11 months because it's the RIGHT thing to do, etc etc etc.
 
Pondrew said:
mr.tourette said:
You get pulled and you pony up the fine with no complaints
Click to expand...
All I have to do is get the seller to say he's a trader, then all of the above is 100% OK. That's my point, it's MAD.
I would also have an issue with paying a fine. If only you knew what I have (and haven't) done in the last 11 months because it was the RIGHT thing to do. I pulled my daughter out of school last March a week they shut them because I wasn't happy. I haven't visited my mother in 11 months because it's the RIGHT thing to do, etc etc etc.
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You get caught on the way down the old bill will send you back home. :)
 
Pondrew said:
mr.tourette said:
You get pulled and you pony up the fine with no complaints
Click to expand...
All I have to do is get the seller to say he's a trader, then all of the above is 100% OK. That's my point, it's MAD.
I would also have an issue with paying a fine. If only you knew what I have (and haven't) done in the last 11 months because it was the RIGHT thing to do. I pulled my daughter out of school last March a week they shut them because I wasn't happy. I haven't visited my mother in 11 months because it's the RIGHT thing to do, etc etc etc.
Click to expand...
Everyones in the same boat dude we have all put our lives on hold, barely been out the house bar walking the dog twice a day, I also haven't seen any family in a year.. I would still pony up a fine if i got pulled going out on an extremely rare sortie, you cant take umbrage with a fair cop of breaking the rules no matter how mad they are
 
The law states you can buy a car from a dealer or privately however with a dealer, they are restricted to click and collect only. Not even a viewing or test drive or access to the showroom. The travel restrictions apply whether buying from a dealer or privately. No unnecessary travel. You can travel a reasonable distance for exercise to access an "open space" such as a park, but picking up a car, you are looking at a fine if caught.
 
I cant say too much on this subject as I would feel like a hypocrite, as we bought a car privately a few months ago.
But what I will say is if you are not comfortable doing it, which it sounds like you arnt from your questions, dont do it.
Also if its a car you really want, make the deal, go see it, and if it seems good take it without a test drive, its what you would be doing by buying it unseen and getting it delivered anyway.
 
Nictrix said:
Also if its a car you really want, make the deal, go see it, and if it seems good take it without a test drive, its what you would be doing by buying it unseen and getting it delivered anyway.
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It's a E93 M3. I need to check the oil in the rocker cover to make sure the crank is not self-destructing.
 
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