How to spot a dodgy car?

D

dans6490

Active member
Im looking at used M135i’s and wondering what people opinion on the following is:

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Car is advertised as cat d, which doesn’t bother me. However, it has no service history on I drive and no logbook or receipts. I’m presuming this is not abnormal for a cat d car?

I messaged the seller and asked for a photo of the v5c etc:

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The name of the v5c looks odd as it’s not a real name? The seller says it is the previous owner details. So the seller (says he’s a trader) isn’t the name on the v5c.

So it’s basically had 2 x owners in a little over a month.

My head is saying run for the hills but am I being over cautious??
 

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If he's a trader, then the seller would be the previous owner, so that's ok. I'd also bet that you could find a lot of the previous servicing history by contacting BMW HQ and seeing what they can tell you about the car.

A similar non-CAT car with all the correct paper and service records with the LCI updates would be £15-16k-ish....so it's probably priced attractively to sell given it has all that against it.

Does the seller stack up, any previous history, does he feel trustworthy...and proof of his ID and address? The crime of the past 10 years, wait for the family holiday, break into a house, get the keys, nick the car, nick the documents....sell the car at a quick price and it won't be reported as missing until 2 weeks later.
 
Wouldn’t take too much notice of no service history on I drive my 2 series for some unknow reason would never update the service details automatically always had to be done manually by a dealer
 
The name on the V5 is “Courbon-Storm Longstaff” which just seems odd and the fact that this previous owner only bought the car on 5th Dec?

I’ve messaged him asking what info of his he could give me to show he was a genuine seller and he messaged me back “ I don’t think this car is for you pal”. Lol, i think he’s looking for someone more naive.
 
You can find a lot out on the web, the previous keeper seems to exist as does the address, young Courbon Longstaff (21) has a facebook page, other social 'interests', a you tube with tricked boy-racer revvy stuff and a piece in the press about being banned from driving for having no doc's.

So it's an ///M previously owned by a 21yr old face from Sou'fend, was a write-off and has Zero history and one key. My guess is maintenance has mostly involved de-coking of a different kind and a lot of lube on the back seat! But it's your money :wink:
 
Why on earth are you even looking at this car :?

The facelifted bumper will have been stuck on as part of the repair, the first service should have been at 2 years so well overdue, engine and gearbox will cost a small fortune to replace unless you can get reconditioned.

Lots of sweetners in the add to gloss over the flaws, best looking, high spec, mechanically excellent, ask the owner for a mechanical condition report :) .

I really wouldn't bother.

Tim.
 
38000 miles, probably raged the arse off of and written off to boot. yes it's cheaper but how has it been treated in the past ??
If you do view it, ask to see all photos and details about the accident and repair process. Your money your choice :|
 
Ewazix said:
You can find a lot out on the web, the previous keeper seems to exist as does the address, young Courbon Longstaff (21) has a facebook page, other social 'interests', a you tube with tricked boy-racer revvy stuff and a piece in the press about being banned from driving for having no doc's.

So it's an ///M previously owned by a 21yr old face from Sou'fend, was a write-off and has Zero history and one key. My guess is maintenance has mostly involved de-coking of a different kind and a lot of lube on the back seat! But it's your money :wink:
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Lol, thanks. I did google him couldn’t find anything.

He only owned it for a month, which is also weird
 
Fabulous looking, clean example. Obv well cared for. Good investment and re-sale potential.
:fuelfire: :lol:
 
Don’t let your heart rule your head !

I speak from my own experience here - in the mid 80’s I bought a Saab 99 Turbo - for a three year old car there were things not quite right - however there weren’t many about and I was the over keen mug who bought it - it was a wrong car !!!
With the help of the Constabulary :thumbsup: and The Bank I got my cash back but it was a worrying time.
 
Buy a car you can manage to sell on again without looking over your shoulder, this sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen :cry:
Rob
 
dans6490 said:
Ewazix said:
You can find a lot out on the web, the previous keeper seems to exist as does the address, young Courbon Longstaff (21) has a facebook page, other social 'interests', a you tube with tricked boy-racer revvy stuff and a piece in the press about being banned from driving for having no doc's.

So it's an ///M previously owned by a 21yr old face from Sou'fend, was a write-off and has Zero history and one key. My guess is maintenance has mostly involved de-coking of a different kind and a lot of lube on the back seat! But it's your money :wink:
Click to expand...


Lol, thanks. I did google him couldn’t find anything.

He only owned it for a month, which is also weird
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Not weird, dodgy! He got a 12 month ban in Sept 2018, then in Nov 2018 'acquires' the car, registered to a different address to the one he gave the court. Now the car's being flipped. Stinks of laundering a back street write-off repair / hooky car / parts.

Best case you will end up sitting on a BMW shaped white elephant, or worst case lose the car. Run Forrest run!
 
DCT? All autos are 8 speed ZF gearboxes. Do you have a picture of the rear as would be very surprised someone spent the money to covert the rear hatch and lights.
 
It 'll also cost you a few hundred to get another key, thats if BMW will supply one coded to the car, depending if its been nicked or is straight as a dye :)

Tim.
 
A disaster waiting to happen. We all like a bargain but this looks anything but. :thumbsdown:
 
  • 5 former keepers on a 4 year old car
  • Cat D
  • No service history?

Why even entertain such ball ache...
 
un1eash said:
DCT? All autos are 8 speed ZF gearboxes. Do you have a picture of the rear as would be very surprised someone spent the money to covert the rear hatch and lights.
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See below:

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