Buying vehicles privately vs from a trader?

[bspahh]

Best thing to do is buy privately, preferably from a single owner car. Only then can you properly assess the previous owner and the life the car has led.

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For me, the ideal would be to buy a car from someone that I trust, who is selling it for a good reason, and not because it will soon need expensive repairs. They get an easy sale. You get a car with a better chance of getting a reliable car. That only works if someone who you trust has a suitable car. You might not get much of a choice.

There are good cars at main dealers, supermarkets and auctions, but there are also some which are being sold because they have a problem. Sometimes you might be able to spot the cars with a problem, and a warranty might give some protection. Customer satisfaction surveys can help a bit, but every model of car has some problems, and even the least reliable make and model don't all have problems.

Once I have bought a car, if it is working and does what I need it to do, I tend keep it, rather than selling it based on age, mileage etc. I don't mind paying for wear and tear repairs, as I can plan around them. When random failures start to accumulate, then I will change to another car.

 

[trebor79]

Best thing to do is buy privately, preferably from a single owner car. Only then can you properly assess the previous owner and the life the car has led.

Absolutely highest risk option. If the car goes bang the next day, tough. If you buy from a dealer you have mandatory warranty and consumer rights.

It is important to get a battery check which can be done by many companies these days, or even yourself with a very low cost adapter and app download.

Some of those health checks aren't really worth getting though, someone's little more than what the car reports to the driver. But I suppose for the uninitiated they look like something. I always take the car for a decent 30+ mile test drive. If you note the consumption figures and battery percentages you can calculate the capacity and compare that to the as new capacity.

 

[jon0844]

The tools I've seen show an awful lot of data and it's in real time. Collect enough data and you can create a report that I'd say was quite accurate. I think some companies give an actual guarantee for their reports.

FWIW, my car was under a year old so I didn't get a report. It was from a main dealer and I didn't ask for one, nor was I offered one.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Best thing to do is buy privately, preferably from a single owner car. Only then can you properly assess the previous owner and the life the car has led.

If you're very good at reading people and you know cars. Otherwise it is by far the riskiest option.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==

I wouldn't use Kwik Fit for servicing even if free. Only tyres or exhaust.

KF is a franchised operation and there are good and bad. I've used KF Bletchley for absolutely years and never had any kind of a problem. I only didn't this time because they wanted more than the main dealer did, which is incredibly unusual. I think with being at the budget end of the car market Kia price their dealer servicing unusually attractively compared with other brands, but do book online as it is a bit cheaper.

The one case where I would go to a main dealer or small specialist regardless is a car that has any sort of odd stipulation e.g. those Peugeot/Citroen engines that had an issue with gunk buildup destroying turbos you changed the oil a certain way, because KF and the likes hoover it out of the dipstick hole (main dealers too to be fair but not when servicing those specific engines). Not much scope for that sort of thing with an EV of course, a service is mostly just down to checking things.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Re: buying privately (three of my cars since 1990 purchased that way). For ICE vehicles, the likes of AA and RAC offered a chargeable service to fully inspect the seller's vehicle in situ.
Are pre-purchase full inspections catered for private-sales of EVs too? If yes, which companies have you used for that?

 

[cactustwirly]

If you're very good at reading people and you know cars. Otherwise it is by far the riskiest option.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==



KF is a franchised operation and there are good and bad. I've used KF Bletchley for absolutely years and never had any kind of a problem. I only didn't this time because they wanted more than the main dealer did, which is incredibly unusual. I think with being at the budget end of the car market Kia price their dealer servicing unusually attractively compared with other brands, but do book online as it is a bit cheaper.

The one case where I would go to a main dealer or small specialist regardless is a car that has any sort of odd stipulation e.g. those Peugeot/Citroen engines that had an issue with gunk buildup destroying turbos you changed the oil a certain way, because KF and the likes hoover it out of the dipstick hole (main dealers too to be fair but not when servicing those specific engines). Not much scope for that sort of thing with an EV of course, a service is mostly just down to checking things.

Kwik Fit is more expensive than a BMW main dealer too

Full service is £300 which is quite steep.
I paid that for the major service on my last car at a specialist and an indy

 

[RailWonderer]

Again if they have been trading for years likely to be OK as rely on repeat business plus personal recommendations.
The problem is with cars now being so complex they often can not do more than basic work unless they concentrate on one or at most a few brands so can attract ex stealer dealer trained mechanics plus invest in tooling and diagnostic equipment.

I wouldn't say that. The Motor Hub in Keighley and Saxton 4x4 are notorious shysters yet they somehow carry on, they clock cars, disguise accidents and such. Anywhere in Birmingham, Leicester or Bradford avoid also. They can put new gearlevers and seats in to disguise wear and tear and are meticulous to make a few grand more on a sale. Many car dealers by nature are crooks and thieves, any person with a modicrum of honesty in their bones would not do that job for a living. That's partly why expensive maintenance comes unexpectedly early, because the level of use has been so disguised.

 

[bspahh]

I wouldn't say that. The Motor Hub in Keighley and Saxton 4x4 are notorious shysters yet they somehow carry on, they clock cars, disguise accidents and such.

In 2019, The Motor Hub was "ordered to pay £53,567 for secondhand vehicle sales that misled consumers"
https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/news/car-dealership-fined-50k-for-consumer-breaches/ That article says that The Motor Hub is run by Motorsure Ltd. From Companies House for Motorsure Ltd it looks like the most of the directors from 2019 are still in charge.

https://www.elmsteadparishcouncil.g...minutes-21st-november-2019.pdf?pvd=1585583619 says:

Saxton 4x4 Ltd were "sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court, on Friday 1st November 2019, following a conviction for misleading consumers as a result of an Essex Trading Standards investigation. His Honour Judge Seely sentenced Saxton 4x4 Ltd to pay a fine of £27,375 and costs of £37,375. Three victims were also awarded compensation.

From Companies House for Saxton 4x4 Ltd it looks like the most of the directors from 2019 are still in charge.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Re: buying privately (three of my cars since 1990 purchased that way). For ICE vehicles, the likes of AA and RAC offered a chargeable service to fully inspect the seller's vehicle in situ.
Are pre-purchase full inspections catered for private-sales of EVs too? If yes, which companies have you used for that?

post "bump"

 

[Bletchleyite]

Kwik Fit is more expensive than a BMW main dealer too

That surprises me. For other cars I've owned, the main dealer has been substantially more expensive, and I'd expect that to be the case of premium brands even more so because people tend to pay whatever is asked without question.

Full service is £300 which is quite steep.
I paid that for the major service on my last car at a specialist and an indy

Independents tend to be cheaper than main dealers to be fair, that's one reason they get their business.

 

[bspahh]

post "bump"

I haven't used them, but the terms and conditions for the AA reports say

8. Types of vehicles we don’t inspect include:
j) Hybrid/dual-fuel cars

Perhaps they do inspect full electric cars.

It also says that they can't check the detailed operation of "automatic or computerised operating systems, which may be controlled by microprocessors", which is covers a lot of the things on a modern car.

 

[cactustwirly]

That surprises me. For other cars I've owned, the main dealer has been substantially more expensive, and I'd expect that to be the case of premium brands even more so because people tend to pay whatever is asked without question.



Independents tend to be cheaper than main dealers to be fair, that's one reason they get their business.

For my car a full service is £305

BMW is £244

Attached screenshots from both


BMW tailor their pricing to each car, they give discounts for older cars to encourage you to keep it in the network

 

[Bletchleyite]

I seem to recall (may be wrong as I've had diesels for a bit until my current car) that Kwik Fit's full service includes spark plugs so this may account for the difference in this case? Obviously a bit of a waste doing that if it's not needed, of course.

Anyway, horses for courses, let's get back to discussing the purchase rather than servicing of vehicles

 

[cactustwirly]

I seem to recall (may be wrong as I've had diesels for a bit until my current car) that Kwik Fit's full service includes spark plugs so this may account for the difference in this case? Obviously a bit of a waste doing that if it's not needed, of course.

Normally that's an extra because they only need doing once every 3-5 years, like brake fluid.

Full service is normally a thorough check and air and pollen filters replacing

 

[Stewart2887]

I bought a Volkswagen recently, 4 years old from a non-VW main dealer. It broke down very soon after, and has been on diagnostics many times, but a number of garages including the supplying one could't fix it. It's had to go back to a VW dealer miles away, not at my expense. I stood my ground, and they agreed to take it away and send it to VW. However, what annoys me is it came with no service history, as it was serviced (and I suspect) repaired attempted by some VW dealer who won't release the digital service records, due to GDPR. Shameful behaviour for main dealers I'd suggest. Of course, buying privately, the vendor would just shred the incriminating records. In fairness, the supplier has stepped up and given us a courtesy car.

Worse was several years ago, I bought a Focus from one of the car supermarkets. They took my trade-in keys and wouldn't return them until we signed up to purchase. Shady tactics, but we bought a great car at an excellent price. But never going there again

 

[Tetchytyke]

Absolutely highest risk option. If the car goes bang the next day, tough. If you buy from a dealer you have mandatory warranty and consumer rights.

This is the only correct answer.

Dealers are certainly no more (or less) trustworthy than private sellers. But if you buy your car from a dealer you have certain protections under the law. If you buy your car from a private seller then it is, for the most part, caveat emptor.

 

[35B]

I bought a Volkswagen recently, 4 years old from a non-VW main dealer. It broke down very soon after, and has been on diagnostics many times, but a number of garages including the supplying one could't fix it. It's had to go back to a VW dealer miles away, not at my expense. I stood my ground, and they agreed to take it away and send it to VW. However, what annoys me is it came with no service history, as it was serviced (and I suspect) repaired attempted by some VW dealer who won't release the digital service records, due to GDPR. Shameful behaviour for main dealers I'd suggest. Of course, buying privately, the vendor would just shred the incriminating records. In fairness, the supplier has stepped up and given us a courtesy car.

Worse was several years ago, I bought a Focus from one of the car supermarkets. They took my trade-in keys and wouldn't return them until we signed up to purchase. Shady tactics, but we bought a great car at an excellent price. But never going there again

The dealer's pleading GDPR for a service record on your car? That really takes the biscuit.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

KF is a franchised operation and there are good and bad. I've used KF Bletchley for absolutely years and never had any kind of a problem. I only didn't this time because they wanted more than the main dealer did, which is incredibly unusual. I think with being at the budget end of the car market Kia price their dealer servicing unusually attractively compared with other brands, but do book online as it is a bit cheaper.

The one case where I would go to a main dealer or small specialist regardless is a car that has any sort of odd stipulation e.g. those Peugeot/Citroen engines that had an issue with gunk buildup destroying turbos you changed the oil a certain way, because KF and the likes hoover it out of the dipstick hole (main dealers too to be fair but not when servicing those specific engines). Not much scope for that sort of thing with an EV of course, a service is mostly just down to checking things.

There are definitely good and bad KFs. The one in Taunton was fantastic with me when I got my first car: as I was putting a new set of tyres on it with them, they also fitted all of the stock parts I'd sourced from a scrappie (to replace the Boy Racer rubbish a previous owner had fitted) for me free of charge.

With older cars it definitely helps to have a garage you trust. I've got a 15 year old VAG car, and there's an independent VAG specialist in Huddersfield who came recommended by several others. They're now my go-to for pretty much everything, and my brother uses them for anything mechanical on his VW camper too.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Absolutely highest risk option. If the car goes bang the next day, tough. If you buy from a dealer you have mandatory warranty and consumer rights.

Highest reward too, that‘s where the bargains are. This obviously only works for simple cars; good luck buying a 6 3/4 litre Bentley with a dodgy head gasket or two!

 

[Southsider]

This is the only correct answer.

Dealers are certainly no more (or less) trustworthy than private sellers. But if you buy your car from a dealer you have certain protections under the law. If you buy your car from a private seller then it is, for the most part, caveat emptor.

It’s often said that a warranty is there to protect the dealer, the buyer is protected by consumer legislation.

 

[35B]

It’s often said that a warranty is there to protect the dealer, the buyer is protected by consumer legislation.

Yes. But if there is neither warranty nor consumer legislation, however weak they may be, the buyer is naked.

 

[swj99]

The first car I bought other than from family, was off a forecourt. Not from a franchised dealer, but it did come with a 3 month warranty. This was in 1987, before the Consumer Rights Act made things easier. I had a few problems with the car and the seller didn’t help, so I took it to the main dealer to have the work done (seized timing belt tensioner, faulty auto choke, faulty alternator voltage regulator). Then the seller refused to reimburse me, so I took him to the county court and won the claim. He paid, we shook hands, I bought him a drink and we went on our way.
After that, I took my chances and bought privately. One advantage of this is price. If you don’t mind doing basic work yourself, you can get a bargain. As Arthur Daley once said, “Never pay the right price !” Following on from this, if you never pay top price for a car, then you leave yourself a margin for error, or a bit of cash left over for when the car needs fixing. If you pay full retail price, it will still need mending eventually, and unless you keep it for such a long time that it becomes a classic car, it won’t appreciate in value so you’ll lose money when you sell it.

 

[E27007]

Worse was several years ago, I bought a Focus from one of the car supermarkets. They took my trade-in keys and wouldn't return them until we signed up to purchase. Shady tactics, but we bought a great car at an excellent price. But never going there again

Incredible, "shady tactics" taking your car keys and would not return them until you signed up to purchase?
The trade-in car and the keys your property? Is this not theft, taking property by deception or even blackmail?
Did you consider phoning the Police to report a crime?
Please post more details of the incident.

 

[BrandanM]

Worse was several years ago, I bought a Focus from one of the car supermarkets. They took my trade-in keys and wouldn't return them until we signed up to purchase. Shady tactics, but we bought a great car at an excellent price. But never going there again

I'm intrigued by this too. Never heard of such a thing.

 

[jon0844]

Is it normal to trade in a car before agreeing on what 'new' car to buy? It sounds like the car supermarket agreed a price for the trade in and somehow claimed that once accepted by the seller, this was a done deal.. so now you don't own the car anymore and must find a new one to buy.

This sounds totally crazy if true, but at the same time, if you decided you didn't want a car then I'd be demanding the money - cash - for the trade in. Then walk out and spend it somewhere else.

The story does sound bizarre and I suspect there's some more detail that needs to be shared.

 

[Stewart2887]

Incredible, "shady tactics" taking your car keys and would not return them until you signed up to purchase?
The trade-in car and the keys your property? Is this not theft, taking property by deception or even blackmail?
Did you consider phoning the Police to report a crime?
Please post more details of the incident.

It was a while ago. It was a bit odd as they said on the phone they had several in stock, but we weren't able to see any others-just this blue one. They held our trade-in keys while we test drove it, and we decided we would buy it. We went back in and said we liked it, but it all went a bit odd when we said we'd pay the balance in cash, and declined finance and all the add-ons they expect to sell along with cars. We got frustrated and thought we'd walk away. It was annoying at the time, but they were just wasting their own time. I've bought from other supermarkets since and there was no problem

 

[Bletchleyite]

It was a while ago. It was a bit odd as they said on the phone they had several in stock, but we weren't able to see any others-just this blue one. They held our trade-in keys while we test drove it, and we decided we would buy it. We went back in and said we liked it, but it all went a bit odd when we said we'd pay the balance in cash, and declined finance and all the add-ons they expect to sell along with cars. We got frustrated and thought we'd walk away. It was annoying at the time, but they were just wasting their own time. I've bought from other supermarkets since and there was no problem

It's not a bad idea to hold a deposit of some form while test driving if the member of staff isn't going to go with you. The trade in keys are an easy option.

If they didn't return them as soon as you said "no", though, then that's pretty bad practice and potentially theft.

 

[Russel]

I think buying from a dealer is the safer option and you certainly have more real world protection if something does go wrong, but, if you're buying a used car, there is always a chance you are buying someone else's problem...

 

[muz379]

It's not a bad idea to hold a deposit of some form while test driving if the member of staff isn't going to go with you. The trade in keys are an easy option.

If they didn't return them as soon as you said "no", though, then that's pretty bad practice and potentially theft.

Ive never had to leave a deposit as such , usually in the past a photocopy of my driving license has been good enough.

We went back in and said we liked it, but it all went a bit odd when we said we'd pay the balance in cash, and declined finance and all the add-ons they expect to sell along with cars.

This is one of the shifts these days in car sales, they make as much if not more money than from the car in the commissions from selling finance, different insurance products and other add-on like paint protection extended warranty etc. Honestly theyd sooner have sold the car to the next person that come in and bought the car with their finance, using their gap insurance and paying for their extended warrany than sell it to you for just the window price.

I know some of my older family whenever I talk to them about buying a car still have the old school mentality of "can we offer them cash / to buy outright and get a better deal" and invariably these days the answer is no.

 

[JohnMcL7]

Although not quite as bad as the experience above where the keys were withheld but not far off. Just before the covid outbreak in February 2020, I went to look at a car at a car supermarket which advised on their page that the car was in transit and to phone first to make sure it was available. This was a lie but I wanted to check since I was 300 miles from home, they confirmed the car was there and available for a test drive (another lie) and asked when I planned to visit so I told them I was heading over. The traffic was bad and it was taking longer than expected and I surprised to get a phone call asking where I was since I hadn't turned up for my 'appointment' despite never agreeing to anything. When I arrived at the showroom it was straight into the hard sell wanting to know how I was financing the car and wanting to get the part-ex value sorted for my existing car despite the fact I've not even seen the car I'm considering buying. I finally get to see it and it's right in the middle of a fairly large showroom surrounded by many other cars so I suspect it's very unlikely it's been in transit recently and that was just so they could get my mobile number. However I'm not able to actually test drive it and only able to sit in the car so by that point I'd had enough and left.

Although I'd gone in there planning to buy the car and they'd talked me out of it, I thought prices will come down a bit in the meantime so I'd wait a bit. However with covid they went up in price and looking at prices now, for what I would have paid for that two year old car would now only get me a seven year old one.

I normally buy cars two to three years old so there's not many private cars in that range and those that do come up are usually not that much cheaper than a dealer. While I appreciate a dealer is far from a guarantee of a good car at least you do have some legal rights whereas you have very little with a private seller. I might consider it on an older car where any issues would be well known and there's not much real advantage to a dealer at that price point. The only private car I looked at failed an HPI check (a DVLA error rather than a problem with the car) and didn't have a proper service history despite being only three years old, the failed HPI check was a dealbreaker and someone else apparently bought the car while I was waiting for the HPI issue to be resolved which surprised me if true.