8 October 2017

Safety tips when buying a car privately

Buying a car privately can be a scary thing! That’s why we always recommend using a car broker – Have you considered purchasing a car without one? Here are a few things to be wary of to keep yourself safe during the process.

 

It is a good idea to be wary of buying a car that you have not seen. There are instances of fake adverts appearing on genuine car sales websites, online classifieds and online auction sites, where second hand vehicles are offered at prices much lower than market value. As the old saying goes – if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.

 

If you are past this first hurdle, put together a list of questions that you can ask the seller – listen to the answers given and if there is any hesitation relating to a question that the seller would normally be able to answer easily – maybe the seller and the car being sold are not genuine. In this case, rather walk away.

 

It is very important that you should not provide the seller with any personal information at this stage of the proceedings. The seller should not at this stage need a copy of your driver’s licence or any banking information, or any other personal identification information.

 

So you are at the point that you would like to inspect the vehicle. Do not ask the seller to bring the vehicle to your home or office – rather arrange to meet at a neutral location, and if possible, take someone with you. Before you go, check that your insurance covers test drives, in case of an accident. A seller should not be asking you for any kind of deposit before you are ready to make an offer on the vehicle.

 

If you have test driven the vehicle, and you are thinking about making an offer, work out the optimum and highest amounts that you would be prepared to pay, before you start negotiating. You therefore need to do some research and know the market value of the car before you make any offer. Redbook.com.au will provide you with vehicle information as well as price guides and valuations. Another thing to check is the legal status of the vehicle. A Carfacts report is a good buy – it will quickly tell you if the vehicle has been stolen or written off, whether there id any finance owing on it, or it is suspected that the odometer has been rolled back.

 

When you have negotiated a price and now must pay the seller, use a payment method that will provide you with a proof of payment.

 

Looking for a simpler way to buy a car? Contact us today! Professional car brokers on hand to take the hassle out of buying and selling your car.

 

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Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

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If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

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