Experience in buying a car unseen, particularly a used car?

[sheckster]

Just wondering about forum members experiences, if there are any, in purchasing a used car unseen.
I've been looking around for an R32 Mk5 but there's not much close by that seems fit (budget wise). So I've expanded my search to other states, but not keen to fly an check a car out personnally.

Has anyone here purchased a car without seeing it? Perhaps used a proxy buyer? Would be keen to hear about outcomes, good or bad.

And please point me to a thread if been discussed/asked previously.

Thanks.

[tigger73]

I've sold a previous car to an agent before. They had an Australia-wide network, would get cars checked out interstate and arrange for local delivery. I think their fee was something like $500-$800, but then you got a 3 month warranty like any used car dealer.

I've also bought from interstate (my Tig actually) but this was near-new/demo and only had 3,000km on it. I bought it off photos on the net and flew over to pick it up and drive back. There was a minor hick-up as the dealer had removed the tint after photos had been taken to get through govt vehicle checks(green slip), however they agreed to put the tint back on once I arrived back home (which they did).

I got a great deal on the car so was definitely worth-while.

[shramma]

hi mate. care to share what options you're after and your budget?
If it was me, I'd find one I liked and ask for all particulars, heaps of photos, organise a pre purchase inspection through a specialist and (inspection pending) fly to wherever it is and drive it home! (unless it was WA to NSW etc).

[aussie houdini]

bought a few sight unseen. One was from a dealer and i got him to take heaps of extra hi-res photos and send them to me. He did a good job and sent me 40 pics or something from memory. I felt that paying a bit of a premium price wise was worth the comfort of knowing that if i arrived at the dealer and something had been mis-represented I could kick up a stink. The others were private but had a year or so factory warranty left so I wasn't overly concerned. I also got the extra pics taken and sent, plus talked to them on the phone at length. All in all good experiences.

[gareth_oau]

I'm based in Perth and purchased my S3 from Brisbane (a forum member)

I got him to send me a swag of photos beforehand, and once I was happy withthose, I got him to deliver it to the local Audi/APR delaer who gave it a full once-over, which cost me around $200.

Apart from the typical crash damage/repair and general inspection, I asked him for views on paint condition, leather condition, tyres, brake pads and discs, condition of clutch plate etc.

I bought the car following the inspection and was very pleased with the outcome.

I was also fortunate that the owner was a forum member.

If you have no clue about the owner, this would increase the risk very marginally, but using a local inspector can at least demonstrate that the car is genune.

I'm also sure you would be able to find a local member in the state where the car is for sale and ask them to pop out for an initial look?

[Lemonskin]

I bought my Polo GTI from interstate in December 2012. The car is 9 months old. As no-one in NSW seemed willing to negotiate, I found my car on carsales.com.au and it looked good from the pictures. Called up the lady and had a list of questions which she happily answered (truthfully thankfully). We negotiated a price and I also drew up a Bill of Sale with the major points I was concerned about and made her sign it before I flew down (she did, again happily) to protect myself in the event of something going wrong with the car. I flew down and met her at the airport, did an inspection myself, and drove away with the car.

Now I know I got lucky, the lady was very sincere and it turned out she was telling the truth on everything. I can't promise you everyone will be like that! One thing you must be prepared to do however is WALK AWAY and fly home if you're not satisfied with how the car turns out. This will be a bummer I know and the return ticket may cost a lot but that's better than ending up with a lemon.

[sheckster]

Thanks for the posts, great to see all positive outcomes and some great advice and knowlegde.
'Bill of Sale' don't know what that is but will certainly google that.

Specifically looking for:
Mk5 R32, 5dr, DSG, Blue, preferably with sunroof. With about 90k's for around $25k-$26k

I'm a brisbane boy and I contacted a couple of NSW owners selling theirs on carsales for around the price range, unfortunately, they were sold. So searching again.

[shramma]

well mate I just sold my 5dr manual, UG, no sunroof or rns, with ~75k for 28. so it might take you a while but keep looking until you find that seller desparate to get rid of theirs!

[sheckster]

well mate I just sold my 5dr manual, UG, no sunroof or rns, with ~75k for 28. so it might take you a while but keep looking until you find that seller desparate to get rid of theirs!

yes, will be on the hunt.
I was hoping to get this one, but got sold today.

2006 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R32 DSG 4-MOTION V MY07 Hatch Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au

[ExRexer]

I looked at a few R32s before I got the one I have. All the ones I looked at were in NSW. I'm in Tas.

The first one looked pretty dam good, until we found out it was an insurance write off...

The second looked really good. Tried to arrange to get it inspected, but there was always some reason that the guy couldn't get it to RACT. I later found out that it was another insurance write off.

We then flew up to NSW with a backpack full of cash. The first R32 we looked at was the one, and we have lived happily ever after

[Lemonskin]

I also suggest you get a REVS check done. Will tell you if the car has been written off, and if it had finance owing.

[sheckster]

I looked at a few R32s before I got the one I have. All the ones I looked at were in NSW. I'm in Tas.

The first one looked pretty dam good, until we found out it was an insurance write off...

The second looked really good. Tried to arrange to get it inspected, but there was always some reason that the guy couldn't get it to RACT. I later found out that it was another insurance write off.

We then flew up to NSW with a backpack full of cash. The first R32 we looked at was the one, and we have lived happily ever after

That's an interesting experience. How did you find out those that were write-offs? Here in QLD, you only need a road worthy cert and off you go.

[Lemonskin]

That's an interesting experience. How did you find out those that were write-offs? Here in QLD, you only need a road worthy cert and off you go.

You get a REVS check (PPSR). I used this site but there's lots around... iREGO - REVS Check NSW | Car History NSW | PPSR Certificate NSW

You just plug in the VIN number and it tells you... You have to pay but its a small price for peace of mind.

[strel]

I'm based in Brisbane, and purchased my GTI sight unseen from ACT. I was lucky also, contact was selling on behalf of a deceased estate, so he was very keen to get the vehicle moved. I organised a full inspection in and out with additional photos from Prepurchase vehicle inspections NSW Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Roadworthy Inspections in Queensland Brisbane, Gold Coast. , helped with easing the whole process for around $350 (IIRC). The PPSR was clear as well of all negatives.

After negotiating the price, I had a large transport company freight it up to me ($600 cost through my fathers work). Freight company damaged the roof and agreed to pay on a quote ($2240), lucky for me that this reputable business were honest and helpful with payment AFTER we kicked up a stink (and AFTER vehicle has been delivered).

All up, I would buy interstate again, but ONLY with a full, comprehensive report completed. And as stated above, if anything seems a little off, walk away with the relatively small loss.

[sheckster]

I'm based in Brisbane, and purchased my GTI sight unseen from ACT. I was lucky also, contact was selling on behalf of a deceased estate, so he was very keen to get the vehicle moved. I organised a full inspection in and out with additional photos from Prepurchase vehicle inspections NSW Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Roadworthy Inspections in Queensland Brisbane, Gold Coast. , helped with easing the whole process for around $350 (IIRC). The PPSR was clear as well of all negatives.

this is great, thanks for the link