Car sellers who owned the car a few months

[tim.100]

I’m looking to expand the fleet with a Land Rover Discovery. I’ve owned a Defender for 9 years so am aware of the pitfalls of owning Solihull’s finest.

The aim is to buy the best vehicle that isn’t hit by retrospective tax (eg. Pre Mar 01).

I’ve come across two cars being sold privately where the owners only bought at the beginning of the year. The reasons give are:
1) Self-employed, times are tough
2) Own a landscaping business, need a different type of vehicle

Other than recommending a Unimog to the second guy, what advice do you all have about buying a car from someone who’s owned it just a few months?

 

[The Boss]

really does not make a big difference in terms of the end quality. Sure some have ill motives, but peoples circumstances, preferences and desires change continuosly. I have had countless cars, some i have sold within 2 months of buying, others after 5 years etc..

nothing other than preference, boredom etc...

 

[Spinal]

I've always been a bit more wary about cars that have been owned for a very short period of time... it screams "hidden fault" to me...

Make sure you get your test drive and inspect them properly...

M.

 

[Will]

Obviously ownership duration is only a guide, in much the same way that mileage, age etc aren't an exact measure of quality - but typically a car with a low number of owners, especially those who've owned it for a while, tend to be nicer, genuine, honest cars IMHO. Cars that have been kept for a few years tend to be good cars, as otherwise you wouldn't keep it.

I guess anything under a year of ownership tends to make me think.

Reasons for selling can be genuine, and the car could be A1 immaculate with no faults.

It wouldn't put me off the car in itself - look at the whole car/owner and make an informed decision.

All IMHO

Will

 

[gina2201]

As many of my friends know, I get bored easily and change cars often, the shortest time I've had a car for is 7 weeks, and the longest 18 months, most cars I keep for about 6 months as I always fancy a change, nothing else. Why stick with a car forever or for a few years when for me it's my car, I don't have a family of my own to cart around or anything so my car is just an accessory almost, bit like jewellery or clothes! Going from a small car to 4x4 to convertables. I agree that this may put people off when buying but that's my reasons for selling often. Change!

 

[fredT]

if the seller seems genuine thats all you can really go by. but thats in any car transaction.

myself im thinking of getting rid of my c320 i just bought in january, but only to buy an amg..

 

[dougal74]

It is a really odd co-incidence this. I have just bought an '99 LPG Discovery II and my wife doesn't like it/hates it (after I have spent £1k on new brakes, alternator, rear air susp bags etc.).

So I was thinking exactly the same thing, should I hold on to it for a while to show that it is a good car?

 

[johnsco]

Equally -It may be that someone has owned a car 2 or 3 years and knows that something is deteriorating and wants to sell.
You pays your money ... You takes your chance.
Just make sure that you do all necessary inspections and trials before you buy.

I usually keep cars a long time.
But - Last year I bought a 230TE Estate.
I thought it was quite a nice old thing.
I fitted a new alternator, fixed the cooling fan and generally knocked it into shape.
Then - Mrs J decided she didn't like it at all (Don't really know why).
So - Away it went after only 3 months.

Probably not big enough for her after her Type 126 !!

Johnsco

 

[Colin_b]

I've always been a bit more wary about cars that have been owned for a very short period of time... it screams "hidden fault" to me...

Make sure you get your test drive and inspect them properly...

M.

Either that or its been clocked, perhaps. Really means you need to look closely at condition.

 

[219]

I've always been a bit more wary about cars that have been owned for a very short period of time... it screams "hidden fault" to me...

Make sure you get your test drive and inspect them properly...

M.

The converse can equally be true - someone might own a car for a number of years , then only decide to sell when it needs an expensive repair ( or after carrying out an expensive repair and afraid that another one might be needed ) .

 

[jaymanek]

I wouldnt read too much into things like this, you are just chasing your own tale...

if you like the car then check it as thoroughly as you can and get on with it.. You are buying a car, the seller is irrelevant in a private sale.

 

[grober]

I would be looking at the licence and MOT cert date of expiry for any "must be done repairs" and any outstanding finance on the car. I.e. do they (or previous owners) really own what they are selling?

 

[greggster]

maybe they didn't realise that all the disco sunroofs leak when they bought them!!