Buying cars
Why is it that places that sell cars (we're talking secondhand and cheap here) are located in areas that require a car to be able to get to them? And then, if/when you do get there, you have no insurance so you can't legally/officially test drive them. Or indeed drive them away when you buy them.

I. Just. Want. An. Auld. Car.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:08, 16 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Do you not have
A friend with said required car who could assist you in such matters?
(scentless_apprentice takes two bottles into the shower!, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:16, Reply)

^
I do, but they're all working, and me bloke is busy today and tomorrow so I might have to wait til next week for him to give me a hand.

Edit: @al - that's a plan. I was going to take me laptop and arrange insurance in the garage forecourt :)
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:17, Reply)

Ah well
That is a bit of a bugger.

You could get the person at the forecourt to drive it for you - you'd still get a good idea of how the car is.
(scentless_apprentice takes two bottles into the shower!, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:20, Reply)

I was given all my previous cars
or else they belonged to my boyfriends. This time I actually have to do the buying process. Very annoying. Might mean the car works though.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:29, Reply)

ehh - JoMaxi, bosco?
Only the Irish will get that.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:30, Reply)

True, it's a complete gamble for the unaware (i.e. me)
I just want something to get me from A to B, where A is equal to my house and B is my fella's place 10 miles away, and B might also be the supermarket, a camping trip, various gig venues and the odd ceilidh. And perhaps Mongolia in 2009.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:33, Reply)

I've now bought
two cars on eBay, and most of the time there's a delivery contingency plan in place. Both have been great.
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:44, Reply)

If the dealer is kosher
They will have their own trade policy which will allow you to take an accompanied test drive on trade plates. If they haven't got that, you are dealing with Pikey Motors plc, so steer clear.

Taxing is a bugger. Some insurance companies will email you a cover note that the post office will accept for taxing purposes, however AND I DON'T CARE HOW MANY TIMES YOU SAY THIS DIRECT LINE YES I'M LOOKING AT YOU WITH YOUR POOFY WEE TELEPHONE a fax is NOT accepted for taxing purposes. Proof of cover for a courtesy car, yes, but not taxing. It's an archaic and expensive system which will be phased out over the next coupla years, but I ramble.

You are covered by the Sale of Goods Act for all purchases (and no, they can't put 'sold as seen' on the invoice unless you agree to it) and a lot of smaller dealers will be accredited by some sort of local council/trading standards scheme. If you can, pay for the car on credit card (and pay it off straight away, natch) NOT VISA DEBIT, which will make the transaction covered by the Consumer Credit Act so if the car's a lemon or there any disputes further down the line you have additional protection.

Again, reputable dealers should offer some form of warranty (usually RAC, Motorplan or the like). Get this chucked in, and then search the tinterweb for a standalone warranty covering the big bits. Available cover depends on the age of vehicle.

Don't be afraid to ask to have the vehicle inspected (doesn't have to be the eye-wateringly expensive AA job, there are independants), or freshly MOT'd. If it was done 3 weeks ago, chances are you're being a bit pushy, but if it's only got 3 months to run...

Having said that, all this does depend on budget. If you're after £500 worth of Yarmouth, then you won't be getting the Batmobile. If you're spending a few bob, expect more.

And never forget the Autotrader.
(osok Rebel without a clue, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:54, Reply)

Thanks yous lot
yous are a veritable gushing fountain of knowledge. Er, FACT.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:58, Reply)

<a href="http://www.dayinsure.com" target="_blank">www.dayinsure.com</a>
lets you insure yourself on someone else's car from 1 day to 30 days. value up to £50k, comp cover insurance, underwritten by norwich union, so a decent insurer.

quite handy to know if you are going away or buying a car or borrowing one!

edit: mrvipros - yup, comes in very useful on the odd occasion, eg your car isn't big enough and you need to swop with someone or you're going abroad and want to take the driving in turns etc.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 16:35, Reply)

Osok and rswipe
useful stuff, thanks
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 16:42, Reply)

TGB's top tip
If the dealer is steering you towards a car check to see if the bonnet is warm before he starts it, cars will always start better warm and some don't start at all from cold. Also check out how available and expensive parts are (a quick search in ebay will help) cheaper cars can work out more expensive in the long run if the parts are hard to get and expensive. Japanese cars are (generally) more reliable, avoid old french cars and Fords tend to be pretty good all round.

My first car was a H reg Nissan Micra bloody fantastic thing regret selling it never had a thing go wrong in it :( Unlike the evil golfs I replaced it with - Yes one blew up on me and I got another one :(
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 17:42, Reply)

^
I have my eye on a K10 Micra. They are all of the win.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 17:45, Reply)

Good call :)
Mine was red and affectionately called "The Barn"
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 17:51, Reply)

Hull.
Whre I live there are cars for a few hundred pounds that run. What is your budget?
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 13:07, Reply)

Insurance
have your policy number and a crdeit cardat the ready.

when you get the car you want, call up the insurance company with your policy number and tell them you need insurance for your new car.

also if you are searching for cars in my area use this postcode: HU6 7RX

its the postcode of hull university, and its fairly central to the cheap cars in the area
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 13:13, Reply)