FabSwingers.com forum: Have you ever bought a car without testing it fiirst?

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

So a pothole wrote my car off a couple of weeks ago and because the village I live in means test driving a new one isn't really an option due to distance yadda yadda I've been scouting Autotrader and found the 'perfect' one but its in Blackburn.

Have done my research, the car checks out, dealer gets a lot of 5 stars etc. Do I just buy it without 'seeing' it first? Anyone else done something similar?

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By *avinaTVTV/TS
over a year ago

Transsexual Transylvania

I did last year. Ordered it online through a reputable dealership chain. It's great.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My current car.

I bought it off a guy on gumtree in London . Paid him and then had it transported to me.

Was a risk but I love it

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By *astle321Man
over a year ago

pershore

Done it a few time with private sales. I tend to buy the seller (if you see what I mean) and if he seems OK I take a chance on the car.

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By *onningtonplumberMan
over a year ago

Donnington

Current car bought from an Internet dealer in birmingham delivered to me in Nottingham 4 years ago. Been perfect. Its a big brand so had no worries.

Just check returns policy you have good rights under distance selling regulations

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Done it once many years ago, never again bought a lemon, never out of the garage, ended up losing out swapping it for a car of a lesser value.

Was just happy to see the back of it

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By *oo..Woman
over a year ago

Boo's World

Yes, my current car was brand new and no garage had one at the time I ordered it, or in the colour I wanted as well so had to just go with it and hoped I liked it when it was delivered to me months later.

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By *ershingMan
over a year ago

liverpool

I bought a car d*unk! Woke up saturday morning to see paperwork in my email!

Sobered up real quick after that.

25k later i owned a golf gti.

I should come with a warning label!

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By *ora the explorerWoman
over a year ago

Paradise, Herts

Yes a few times, but brand new and ordered. Don’t think I would with a second hand one.

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By *ora the explorerWoman
over a year ago

Paradise, Herts

"I bought a car d*unk! Woke up saturday morning to see paperwork in my email!

Sobered up real quick after that.

25k later i owned a golf gti.

I should come with a warning label!"

that’s funny

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If it's a dealership with a good rep you can probably get away with not needing to test drive it first. I would suggest just giving it a once over when you're there, check all the systems are running and the engine runs smooth. You can just take it round the block with the sales rep and just get a feel of it before buying. After all they wanna try sell you the car so if they think you're interested they won't argue with you just taking it round the block for a few minutes

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My current car. I bought it during covid/lockdown and it was delivered to my door. Touch wood but it’s the only car I’ve had that hasn’t had any problems.

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By *he AmbassadorMan
over a year ago

IRLANDA. / Prague. / Cil Dara

Yes,

I bid on an online Jap auction once and had it shipped to a dealer in Dublin, car was (FTO) bulletproof.

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By *otSoPoshWoman
over a year ago

In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon

I have. Bought one on ebay for £500 from Liverpool. Lasted me over a year and maybe 30,000 miles

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Does a company car count, I have ordered three cars now, not test driven any of them.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"So a pothole wrote my car off a couple of weeks ago and because the village I live in means test driving a new one isn't really an option due to distance yadda yadda I've been scouting Autotrader and found the 'perfect' one but its in Blackburn.

Have done my research, the car checks out, dealer gets a lot of 5 stars etc. Do I just buy it without 'seeing' it first? Anyone else done something similar?"

I personally like to go and see and drive it, I’ve worked in the motor trade for 30 years, if you are buying from a main dealer, it should be ok but local, independents I would go and see it.

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By *haron StonerTV/TS
over a year ago

Haywards Heath

I bought a Subaru Impreza STI jap import for my partner. I never test drove it and they said it was pretty quick. 3 months later, I drove it. Bloody thing kept sucking the accelerator pedal away from my foot.

Went to France, 135mph and the roads were so good, you didn't notice how fast you were going.

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By *ir SupremacyMan
over a year ago

Bolton

As long as its a Toyota you be OK.

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

East Sussex

Loads of times.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Outlander PHEV. Best decision I ever made.

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By *eather_uktvTV/TS
over a year ago

Manchester

I did in 2016. I travelled over 200 miles by train to collect it from the dealership and I was totally satisfied. Mind you, it was a brand new car, (the first and only brand new car I've ever bought) so it came with a full manufacturers 3 year warranty plus breakdown and recovery.

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By *erfectman122Man
over a year ago

from somewhere nice

Yes my current car all went very smoothly

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

All my cars are cheap ass snotters. They run, they're cheap to run and maintain.

I would never buy online, I'd have to go and see it and take someone knowledgeable with me to have a look. I want to know what I'm buying and who from

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Don't go to Blackburn it's a shithole

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By *haron StonerTV/TS
over a year ago

Haywards Heath

Buy a Honda, they keep their value and are very reliable. I've never owned one but jap motors go and go and still run great after 100,000 miles on the clock.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"As long as its a Toyota you be OK. "

My last car was a Toyota. Doesn't stand up well to potholes

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Outlander PHEV. Best decision I ever made. "

Its a Mitsubishi I've got my eye on

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By *adCherriesCouple
over a year ago

Cheshire/Northwest

Yes bought one online a couple of years ago and had it delivered. Its the only car ive ever bought that was 100% fault free

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By *m3232Man
over a year ago

maidenhead

I brought a Import from Japan in 2005 and the car was 5years old. Had to buy it sight unseen from a reputable dealer. If I had seen it I would not have brought it. Car was ok but not as good as I hoped.

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By *imbo59seMan
over a year ago

North Norfolk area

Bought a brand new Discovery td5 years ago, spec/colour etc not readily available locally, sourced one in Wales....had test driven a td5 though prior to ordering!

Numerous company cars, but again, had test driven the model.....sourced centrally by the Company

Not sure either exactly count tbh.

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By *cunnylassCouple
over a year ago

Exeter

I have bought some old wrecks at car auctions in the past.Some were definitely better than others!

Mike

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By *weetsmellingtreatsWoman
over a year ago

Gloucester

"Yes, my current car was brand new and no garage had one at the time I ordered it, or in the colour I wanted as well so had to just go with it and hoped I liked it when it was delivered to me months later. "

Snap and I love my car.

It’s exceeded my expectations

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By *ob Carpe DiemMan
over a year ago

Torquay

You can't test a car at auction, you can get some very good deals of course but there is always a risk

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By *i_Blonde_BabeWoman
over a year ago

cardiff or just passing through

I’ve bought several online with mixed success. Most have been great, one (the most expensive one) was an absolute disaster

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By *ortyairCouple
over a year ago

Wallasey

Just waiting on an order for a new car, does that count x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Just waiting on an order for a new car, does that count x"

You could test drive it to mine

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By *edeWoman
over a year ago

the abyss

I'm having to start looking at 'new to me cars' now but I hate it as they just baffle me!

Why is it so hard to get decent car that will last

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Brought one many moo s ago at a car auction. Was a great motor to.

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By *awtybikerMan
over a year ago

Barnoldswick

I’ve just changed my car, but I did test drive it first.

My current motor bike was bought without test riding it though. I Did the deal over the phone and via messenger. The dealer sent me loads of pictures and did a personal walk around video of it running. Then delivered it and took away my old bike in part exchange

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By *irkby coupleCouple
over a year ago

Kirkby

Go with your gut.

If your not comfortable taking the chance, don’t.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My current car. I bought it during covid/lockdown and it was delivered to my door. Touch wood but it’s the only car I’ve had that hasn’t had any problems."

If it's a a make I think it is you'll be taking it to the tip shortly

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By *aidForSharingWoman
over a year ago

Lancashire

No! Most reviews are done by friends and family or customers in return for discounts. Would you buy a home without seeing it first?

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By *ansoffateMan
over a year ago

Sagittarius A

I bought an old vw beetle and camper from some farmer in Kent I think.

There wasn't much to test to be fair.

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By *ris GrayMan
over a year ago

Dorchester

Nope always test it you'd be pretty careless not to

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By *escourtesMan
over a year ago

hereford

id just been remembering years ago when I bought my first cars, and you had to put the radio/cassette in yourself and often fit the speakers too. anyone else remember doing that?

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By * and M lookingCouple
over a year ago

Worcester

Yes

As one of my friends was the dealer principal and I knew what car / model I wanted, it was an easy decision.

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By *rofessor ElementalMan
over a year ago

Durham

Not bought but leased without a test drive

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By *alldarksurreyMan
over a year ago

surrey

You do have a certain level of protection when buying cars online or through a dealer under the consumer rights act 2015

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By *ob Carpe DiemMan
over a year ago

Torquay

I bought mine after a test drive but whilst I'm the second owner it was pre registered with the dealership so by the time it was delivered it had 127 miles on it, it removes the drive away new car depreciation. I had it valued last year and it was £500 more than I paid in 2019, look out for those deals worth doing

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yes my current one one, but to be fair, it was a newer, higher performance variant of the previous car so knew what I was getting

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By *ickdasterdly51Man
over a year ago

Lingfield

Yes, bought it during lockdown so a test drive was out of the question. But it was a high spec brand new car so wasn't unduly worried particularly as there was a two return period, full refund, no questions asked.

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