Phoning The Seller

As private sellers are under no obligation to reveal a car's history, or offer proof of any checks, the onus is very much on the buyer to determine a car's past.

The first stage of this process is conducted over the phone - and if you get it right, it can save a lot of hassle and wasted time.

Questions you must ask:

• How long have they owned the car? Have they owned it from new? If not, how many previous owners are there?
  
• Why are they selling it?
  
• What is the mileage? What features does the car have? In their opinion, what sort of condition is it in?
  
• Is there an outstanding finance or hire purchase agreement?
  
• Does it have any tax or MOT? If so, how much?
  
• Are there any service records, bills, old MOTs? (Use the latter to check mileage).
  
• Has it been involved in any accident damage, and if so, which parts were damaged? Where was it repaired? Are the repairs guaranteed?
  
• Have they replaced anything on it recently? Has it been modified in any way?
  
• Price should be negotiable - are they open to reasonable and fair offers?
  
  

Things you should never do:

• Arranging to meet in a 'mutual' location, such as a pub car park. Why doesn't the seller want to reveal their address? Are they making sure you have no comeback?
  
• Not noticing mobile numbers; they're commonplace nowadays, but why should someone not want to back it up with a land-line number?
  
• Miss a trader in disguise. The classic opener on the telephone is to ask if "the car" is still for sale - a "which one?" response is a dead give-away. Traders sometimes sell dodgy motors 'in disguise', thus avoid legal obligations to repair problems.