When looking to purchase a used car there are several options on the market. These fall into two categories, buying from a private seller and buying from a professional. In this guide we look at the benefits and drawbacks of buying a car privately.
Benefits of buying privately
There are good deals to be had when purchasing a car privately, many sellers provide a vehicle's full history and keep the car clean and tidy. If you can find a well looked after private vehicle you can save a good amount of money and drive home in a great car.
Cost savings
One of the key benefits of buying a car privately is the cost savings, often sellers that list vehicles privately are in a hurry to get rid of the car. They may want to make room for another car purchase, this forces them to potentially take less money for the car compared to what you would pay from a professional. Private car sellers also have very little overheads, such as buildings, wage costs, mechanical costs etc. This gives them more freedom to take a lower price or offer a discount.
Quick process
The process of buying from a private dealer can often be much quicker. Once the price has been agreed, cash can be handed over and the vehicle driven away. It is the new driver’s responsibility to make sure that the vehicle is taxed and insured.
Disadvantages of buying privately
When buying from a private seller you can come across some issues, there are no guarantees or assurances and most of the time buyers will not take the vehicle back if you have issues. Here we look at some of the main disadvantages of buying from a private seller.
You do not know the seller
When purchasing privately you are on most occasions handing over a substantial amount of money to a stranger. You will need to meet the stranger to negotiate the deal, view the vehicle and test drive the car. Most sellers will be genuinely good people, but there is always the risk when it comes to meeting a stranger.
Car issues
Checks such as service history and MOT documentation can be made on a car before purchasing from a private seller. However, these documents don’t cover everything. Unless you are a trained mechanic or have vast car knowledge you need to be aware that you are taking the risk that the vehicle could have issues that need to be fixed. When buying from a professional such as SPOTiCAR we do all the necessary checks to make sure your vehicle is up to scratch and any issues are resolved before you drive away.
Warranty
Professional sellers provide used car warranties that cover any issues that appear on the vehicle within the specified warranty period. Private sellers do not provide any warranty, if issues occur it is the new buyer’s responsibility to get these fixed. When buying from SPOTiCAR every vehicle comes with a minimum 12-month warranty so you can rest in the knowledge that you are covered if anything unexpectedly goes wrong.
Paperwork and documentation
Many professional car sellers, including SPOTiCAR will do your paperwork and documentation for you, allowing you to relax and just get involved in the necessary reading and reviewing of the documents. If you buy privately, you will need to do all the documentation yourself without any help or advice from a professional.
Part exchange
Buying privately may get you a better deal on the car you are purchasing but the additional extras that a professional seller can offer won’t be included. Part exchanging an old vehicle is a key benefit that many buyers rely on. It removes the hassle of finding a buyer for your old car and the issue of being stuck with two cars until you find a buyer. At SPOTiCAR we have an online vehicle valuation tool which allows you to check the estimated price of the car you wish to trade in.
Buying a used car from SPOTiCAR
All our vehicles go through a multi-point check to look for issues and fix anything before the vehicle is sold. Every car comes with a minimum 12-month manufacturer guarantee so you can rest easy. Buying an approved used car from the manufacturer will put your mind at ease and get you a great deal more. See our full list of commitments and promises.
- Minimum 12 months warranty
- 12 months roadside assistance
- Vehicle history and mileage check
- 30-day vehicle exchange programme
- Part exchange your previous vehicle
- Finance options and extended warranty available
- Expert advice and support through the whole process
Spoticar
In this guide we look at the benefits and drawbacks of buying a car privately.