Buying a car privately

crótach

I'm looking to buy a car from a private seller and I'm just wondering how is this normally done, since I've never done it here.

I bought cars in two other countries and you normally sign a contract when you're handing over the deposit, which is legally binding, and it outlines the details, ie. when you're going to pay the rest of it etc.

I don't like walking around with loads of cash, so I was hoping to do a bank transfer into their account, but how do I make sure I don't get scammed?

Bonito

Caveat Emptor. With a private buy you have no real legal come back if something goes wrong with the car, you can pay by whatever means you want to, cheque, bank draft/transfer etc although with private sales cash is king, the only contract you have is a handshake and the assurance from the owner that the car is solid. If the car is tip-top then no honest private seller will object to allowing you to have your own mechanic look over it and let you have a test drive. Best of luck.

crótach

Thanks for that. I was more worried about the payment and handover. I realise that I'll need to do a proper check on the car, but do you sign a contract when you agree to buy a car?

The last time I just downloaded a free draft contract from ADAC and filled in the names, sent a copy to the registration office, copy to my insurer and one for the buyer (I was selling a car in Germany). He paid me a deposit, we signed the contract, and within 7 days he came back with the rest and took the keys, nice and simple and we're both covered.

I'm just wondering how are things done here

Bonito

Nothing as fancy as that here, whether you can have a solicitor or someone write up some sort of legal contract i'm not too sure, but I wouldn't be handing over full funds 'til I know the car isn't gonna fall apart half way down the road, and then even after i've made sure of that I wouldn't be handing over all monies 'til I recieve the logbook in my name stating me as the new owner of the vehicle.

Anan1

Here's how I do it: View car, agree a price, pay a small (say €200) deposit in cash, both sides sign a reciept bearing car reg & details, agreed price, deposit paid, balance remaining, and timeframe for payment. Pay the balance by bank draft, go to the seller's bank with them where they verify & lodge the draft, both sides fill in the change of ownership part of the VLC, you accompany seller to the postbox where they post the VLC to Shannon.

Only do this after you've done all checks to make sure the service history is genuine, the car is mechanically sound and free from outstanding finance, and is the property of the seller.