not true, with e bay you have entered into a formal contract but if the description of the car is different to the car itself when you go to collect it (e.g. says it's a runner but won't start) then you have no legal obligation to buy.
not true, with e bay you have entered into a formal contract but if the description of the car is different to the car itself when you go to collect it (e.g. says it's a runner but won't start) then you have no legal obligation to buy.
Langers
Well-Known Member
Nope you're wrong. In the UK if you buy off a private seller, legally, there is no statuatory right, and no legal redress if the quality doesn't match the description. You are still legally bound to pay for the item in full, since you enter a legally binding contract with the placement of a bid. Sellers can take non-paying bidders to court, and will win time and time again, since it's written into the law.
The situation is different if you buy from a business or trader, where the item must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. Then, and only then, are you entitled to refuse the item.
Essentially, when buying from private sellers - the law states 'caveat emptor' -- buyer beware.
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Beast o Bodmin
Banned
id have the disco for that money as you will spend double again fixin 110.
gegs88 is right, private sale items must be accurately described. A quick google revealed:
Langers
Well-Known Member
From Online Auction Sites and Your Rights | Consumer Information :
"One of your statuatory rights is that any item you buy from a retailer or manufacturer must be of satisfactory quality. However if you buy from an individual in the context of a private sale, this statutory right does not apply and you will have no legal redress if the item is unsatisfactory."
What this means is, once you've paid your money (be it by PayPal or cash or whatever) you do not have the LEGAL right to expect satisfactory quality, from a PRIVATE sale. If when you go to pick up the vehicle from a private seller, you find it is not as described, then tough **** - you are still legally bound to pay for the item (since you have already purchased it) , and the seller is well within his rights to take you to court, and will most likely win if you do not pay. All this stuff eBay has about 'item not as described' is their own affair - they cannot affect the law in any way. What they CAN do, is to punish the seller with either a strike, or ban them from trading on eBay.
Trust me on this, non-paying bidders on eBay are breaking the law. The sad fact is, not many sellers realise this, and that's why there are so many asshole timewaster buyers/bidders on eBay, because they think they can get away with murder.
You're right (too). Basically, a private sale doesn't need to be satisfactory quality, but it does need to be correctly described, not misrepresented, and the seller's to sell. An example would be MoT - if it doesn't have MoT but was described that it did, the seller is breaking the law. Another example - the buyer asks "will the car get me home?". If the seller says "yes", but then it breaks down, the buyer has no recourse. Asking vague questions or ones which could be interpreted in different ways (eg "is it really good condition?", "is the paintwork flawless") is poor; asking for specific facts is better eg "when was the cambelt changed?". Normally when selling, the seller can phrase his answer in a way to stay within the law. For example to the cambelt question, he could say "I didn't do it but the previous owner should have done it" and if it were never, its no show stopper.
bigcarorguk
Member
Would you ever buy a vehicle off eBay (or anywhere, for that matter) without having been round to kick the tyres first? Unless it's some totally unique vehicle and you trust the seller implicitly, maybe.. .but otherwise I just can't imagine doing it.
I admit I'm a cynical old bastard but the "Have misplaced V5 so have applied for replacement, will post on to winner" had the alarm bells ringing at full volume...
I admit I'm a cynical old bastard but the "Have misplaced V5 so have applied for replacement, will post on to winner" had the alarm bells ringing at full volume...
Badger
Well-Known Member
If it's for an everyday use vehicle i think you'll be hard pressed to find a 110 for that price range, but it's possible.
I set my target of £1500 when buying one and ended up going over by £500 as the ones that were listed had too many negatives and i needed something i could use everyday without worrying about cock ups at all.
It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it needs a hub seal, PS is leaking slightly and a few bits for the next MOT, but it is a solid chassis and body and the work can be done whilst i use it.
I set my target of £1500 when buying one and ended up going over by £500 as the ones that were listed had too many negatives and i needed something i could use everyday without worrying about cock ups at all.
It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it needs a hub seal, PS is leaking slightly and a few bits for the next MOT, but it is a solid chassis and body and the work can be done whilst i use it.
eBay is the bottom of the market, where all the dodgy, ill-maintained, incomplete, spares/repair, piles of scrap, etc cars end up when they won't sell anywhere else where transactions take place in the traditional way - ie a seller indicates a price ono, a prospective buyer goes and sees the car then finds a few faults, giving him leeway to offer slightly less than asked. By making "scrap" national and removing the cost-effective ability to view before purchase, they've created an entirely new way of offloading junk.
Occasionally, a decent car comes up too.
I've bought cars a few times off eBay, in the <£500 bracket, but also let a lot of them slip away due to excess cost. Just factor in a "discount to not view" into your estimate of value and luck should average itself out over time, if you buy a duffer or not. I've personally NEVER bought a car with no V5, its not complicated to register it in your name, takes a couple of weeks at the most to arrive, so if its not there its either sold on quickly (why??? cos its scrap?) or dodgy in another way. If the seller can't cope with filling in a form for the V5, has he coped with regular maintenance and checking the oil occasionally?
Occasionally, a decent car comes up too.
I've bought cars a few times off eBay, in the <£500 bracket, but also let a lot of them slip away due to excess cost. Just factor in a "discount to not view" into your estimate of value and luck should average itself out over time, if you buy a duffer or not. I've personally NEVER bought a car with no V5, its not complicated to register it in your name, takes a couple of weeks at the most to arrive, so if its not there its either sold on quickly (why??? cos its scrap?) or dodgy in another way. If the seller can't cope with filling in a form for the V5, has he coped with regular maintenance and checking the oil occasionally?
Grippa
New Member
...............and if you're not a total plank, use your head, know what you are looking at (because you have looked at it) and are careful you can pick up right bargains.
If you are a total plank, don't use your head and don't look at a vehicle before buying it you deserve to be parted from your lucre.
There's plenty of dodgy scheisters flogging crap in Autotrader, E&M & the LR mags too. Ebay takes a lot of stick, but mainly because the world is full of mugs.
BoxCleva
New Member
No, you are right. If it was a Mondeo or similar I would probably bid without viewing , but I would never bid on a Landy (over a couple of hundred quid) without viewing first
300TDI-Disco
New Member
Something tells me that engine wont be on the logbook for a start......
Along with a few more suprises i think
Along with a few more suprises i think
Langers
Well-Known Member
...............and if you're not a total plank, use your head, know what you are looking at (because you have looked at it) and are careful you can pick up right bargains.
If you are a total plank, don't use your head and don't look at a vehicle before buying it you deserve to be parted from your lucre.
There's plenty of dodgy scheisters flogging crap in Autotrader, E&M & the LR mags too. Ebay takes a lot of stick, but mainly because the world is full of mugs.
Agreed, my dad and I have bought at least 10-15 cars on eBay over the last few years, and they have ALL been bargains with the exception of one, which we lost money on. We're not traders, we just enjoy chopping and changing our cars every few months and making a little bit of profit on the side too. eBay, despite its problems, is still a great tool for buying and selling vehicles, provided you know what you're doing.
Langers
Well-Known Member
Woody76
New Member
for £1500 i'd get the disco anyday of the week, the csw for that money will need more money throwing at it before too long.
i've bought several cars off ebay including my last 2 Disco's, but i went to view them and offered cash when there. so checked the vehicle and was happy and both parties got out of paying Ebay fees
I would never buy off ebay without viewing and leave to chance by bidding on them.
i've bought several cars off ebay including my last 2 Disco's, but i went to view them and offered cash when there. so checked the vehicle and was happy and both parties got out of paying Ebay fees
I would never buy off ebay without viewing and leave to chance by bidding on them.
jai_landrover
Well-Known Member
Same as Woody.
A 110 is by far the better choice of vehicle but you will only get a dog that needs money throwing at it for the money you have to spend Unless you are really lucky and I'd not try my luck on Ebay either. For that kind of money you should get a really really tidy Disco dare I say one that isn't rusty, throw several cans of underseal and waxoil at it and enjoy at least then you will know its gonna be good for some time and not break down or need constant maintainance that will eat away way more than your budget.
Sensible head- Good Disco,
Other thoughts rough 110.
A 110 is by far the better choice of vehicle but you will only get a dog that needs money throwing at it for the money you have to spend Unless you are really lucky and I'd not try my luck on Ebay either. For that kind of money you should get a really really tidy Disco dare I say one that isn't rusty, throw several cans of underseal and waxoil at it and enjoy at least then you will know its gonna be good for some time and not break down or need constant maintainance that will eat away way more than your budget.
Sensible head- Good Disco,
Other thoughts rough 110.
