Pro's/Con's of buying car's on ebay?

[Donza]

A lot of forum member namedrop ebay here. Many talk about "such and such" car on there etc.

Has anyone here actually bought a car from ebay before? at a knockdown price, and the car is everything that they had hoped for?

My sister has just passed her test, and i am in the market for a car for her. I am considering ebay amongst others.

 

[gina2201]

Yes!!! I have bought and sold a fair few cars on ebay, and aslong as you check them over as you normally would before handing over any dosh, it's not much different to buying "privately" anyway. Plus you can always (usually) look at them prior to bidding...I would be wary of someone who said "no" to a viewing prior to auction end.

Ebay is not just about auctions (as you probably know), it's more of a classified listing way of advertising aswell plus being cheaper than say autotrader and reaches a wider audience.

 

[Mudster]

I've bought two and sold two, had no problems either way.

It's just another advertising medium, don't treat it any different than you would Autotrader/Exchange and Mart and you won't get stung.

 

[Ade B]

Got mine from an ebay ad - contacted vendor and negotiated a price.

Ade

 

[Carrotchomper]

I have sold several through eBay, most recent one sold within 3 days for within £200 of the asking price- And well above my "Bottom line" price.

As the others say, as long as you regard it as just another advertising medium and treat with the appropriate care and caution, it's fine.

 

[kikkthecat]

I've bought 2 from ebay, a 124 Cabriolet and a 124 Coupe. I was delighted with both but then the seller (same guy both times) did offer me a money back guarantee.
I find the biggest difference between ebay auction cars and say Autotrader is that on ebay the faults are usually, but not always, listed with the good points. That way you know what to expect when you go to see it.

Always keep your money in your pocket until you are happy that the car is "as described". If it's not then walk away because there'll be another one along in a few minutes.

 

[Howard]

Yep , bought the whale off there 5 years ago , one of my very first purchases .

Been very happy with her . Go and view whatever takes your fancy before you bid though.

 

[Carrotchomper]

Have you sold the whale yet Howard? Looked like a bargain for the price you were asking.

 

[Howard]

No not sold it yet ... the log book came back while i was on holiday , and been busy since ...

I would really like it to go to someone who will look after her , but it's looking more and more like its going to be Ebay.

I'll drop the price some more if anyone is keen

 

[andy_k]

we bought our 320 estate for a really good price off eBay - great seller and the car has been 100% reliable

 

[Chattonmill]

I bought an Aston Martin V8s 1978 from Ebay, I'm sure the Guy did not know whta he had, got it for £13000 ran it for two trouble free years and sold it on Ebay for £17500. I think he sold it because the front wheels rubbed occasionally under the arches......£60 later and a set of spacers from AM job done!

 

[jaymanek]

I gave up with selling my cars by auction or BIN on ebay and when they made the ebay motors pro (dealer site) I went with that instead... Its just a classified that comes up on ebay searches. Much cheaper.

Ebay gets a bad name because sellers will inevitably talk cars up and buyers will bid with eyes closed... as long as you stick to the nromal car buying rules, its a great medium as it opens up the playing field to a very wide audience which in turn makes it the first place many turn to...

So before bidding, go look at the car, EVERYONE has different expectations.

I had a customer looking at an S320 I had yesterday at 9am... he thought the interior was filthy... to me it was clean but some in grained, hard to shift, marks were still present around the driver carpet area... not an issue, could easily have been steamed off, its just marks from my shoes when moving cars around.

Another customer came today and thought the car was immaculate and actually bought it.

 

[Carrotchomper]

I'll drop the price some more if anyone is keen

Keen, yes!

Don't need a car
Don't need a car
Don't need a car

Must not buy
No parking space

 

[robert.saunders]

Oh buy it Sam, stop dithering

 

[Indiepath]

I found my car on ebay but visited the dealer and did the deal direct. I would not purchase a car without seeing it although my father-in-law has bid and won two cars and got absolute crackers!

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Just look at as much as possible on ebay, and whittle out the wheat from the chaff.

This may help as an example. I know its for your sister but think 'would I buy it?'

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mercedes-300e...hash=item170240095259&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318