The all-important first phone call to a seller can reveal lots about the car for sale, but only if you ask the right questions.
Don't be afraid of asking plenty of questions – a few minutes on the phone is better than a morning viewing a car that's not right for youHow many owners has the car had and how long have they owned it? | |
How many kilometers has it covered? | |
How would they describe the condition? Ask them to describe any damage or mechanical problems | |
Has it been involved in any accidents or been reported stolen? | |
Does it have any outstanding finance owed against it? | |
Has it recently had any maintenance carried out on it, or is there any maintenance required in the near future, worn tyres etc? |
Always view the car in daylight and when its dry as darkness and raindrops can hide any damage or scratches | |
Inform the seller if you want to arrange a professional inspection after seeing the car yourself | |
Don't be pressured into paying a deposit before seeing the car | |
Tell the seller you want to take a test drive, and make sure you arrange suitable insurance cover if required |