Buying 2nd Hand Car - Accident Damage

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

Just remember if you ever have to sell this car yourself in the future you might have buyers thinking exactly what you are thinking just now, it might cost you more in the long term.

Yes and no.

At the moment, the car is still near new.

If the buyer holds the car for several years a buyer will probably not arrange an inspection and / or assume that an older car has had some work done on it.

And the longer you hold it, the less a impact the repair will have on its value.

I say go for it.

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

[...] I think I could probably live with the repair, but its difficult to quantify how much it affects resale later on.

If you think you're gonna get $500 more down the track because of an unmolested body, then you're unfortunately mistaken. Will make zero difference in 5 or ten years.

[AUSMINI]

I'm a little lost on this one. What was the point of getting an independent inspection if the sale was locked in? I mean if the inspector said it was not up to scratch mechanically, what was the buyer going to do?

[ford71V8]

My first thoughts are, Why does he want to get rid of it only 3 months after going through the hassle of a repair? Its not like it used to be? Can't live with the new rattle? He knows how hard the hit was?

Not trying to alarm you, there's plenty of legit reasons to onsell too.

[Silver Ghia]

It really depends on how the car drives, the quality of the repairs done, and the price you are paying for the car compared to similar cars.

Maybe the car was attractive because it was cheaper than others like it. I would be looking carefully at the repairs myself to see if I would be happy to live with what has been done. And double check on how it drives. Obviously the repairs are apparent if they were picked up during the inspection, but how good or bad were they done? Really, the assessment should have stated that anyway.

And be prepared to walk away, as $500 is not worth it if you wont be happy with the car later on. After all, you will be paying stamp duty and transfer fees as well.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by ford71V8

My first thoughts are, Why does he want to get rid of it only 3 months after going through the hassle of a repair? Its not like it used to be? Can't live with the new rattle? He knows how hard the hit was?

Not trying to alarm you, there's plenty of legit reasons to onsell too.

Some people just don't like the fact it was repaired.

I know of a few fussy owners that have accident repairs carried out by insurance and then sold straight away.

High standard of repair, perfect paint match etc.

No reason to sell other than 'it was repaired, no longer want it'...

[Pepscobra]

Originally Posted by AUSMINI

I'm a little lost on this one. What was the point of getting an independent inspection if the sale was locked in? I mean if the inspector said it was not up to scratch mechanically, what was the buyer going to do?

I'm not going to lie, I've brought this situation on myself.
I failed to comply with basic rules when buying a used car; I inspected it at night, didn't get a second opinion, didn't take it for a proper drive. I did kind of rush into it, for whatever reason at the time.
It was only afterwards that I felt uneasy about the vehicle, so I ordered an inspection.
The detailed inspection has picked up a number of items which I'm not totally happy with, in addition to the smash repairs detailed previously.
As it turns out, I've walked away from this vehicle. Seller has begrudgingly said he will EFT my deposit back.
Lesson learned from my side, will be much more careful in the future.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

I'm not going to lie, I've brought this situation on myself.
I failed to comply with basic rules when buying a used car; I inspected it at night, didn't get a second opinion, didn't take it for a proper drive. I did kind of rush into it, for whatever reason at the time.
It was only afterwards that I felt uneasy about the vehicle, so I ordered an inspection.
The detailed inspection has picked up a number of items which I'm not totally happy with, in addition to the smash repairs detailed previously.
As it turns out, I've walked away from this vehicle. Seller has begrudgingly said he will EFT my deposit back.
Lesson learned from my side, will be much more careful in the future.

I think that was a wise decision Pepscobra. If you're not happy overall, don't.

And you are very fortunate about the deposit. Not all sellers are like that.

Did you ask him more about the damage and repairs?

[Pepscobra]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Did you ask him more about the damage and repairs?

Yes, I did.
By the sounds of it, both RHS doors have been replaced and the rear quarter and wheel arch has had significant repairs. Whoever did the repairs made a mess of the bolts on the door hinges and there is a bit of surface rust.

[maat1985]

Obviously the repairs are apparent if they were picked up during the inspection, but how good or bad were they done? Really, the assessment should have stated that anyway.

yeah but there is a big difference between an inspector noticing a repair as he is looking for that kind of stuff any little minute thing out of place and being a genrally noticable repair...
but really if you go and look at 10 used cars how many of them would have been damaged and repaired??? my guess would be 7... yes lower on newer cars and higher on older cars but really older cars have probably just been repaired more times...

[jstanovic]

Why wouldn't the seller give the deposit back? What is the drama with giving it back? I know the idea is that they will hold the car for you but its a private sale, why should he keep the $500?

I had someone put a deposit on a car I was selling, something came up and he couldn't buy it so I gave the cash back, no questions asked.

[NC_Steve]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

Why wouldn't the seller give the deposit back? What is the drama with giving it back? I know the idea is that they will hold the car for you but its a private sale, why should he keep the $500?

I had someone put a deposit on a car I was selling, something came up and he couldn't buy it so I gave the cash back, no questions asked.

What is the point of a deposit then if you are going to give it back? Isn't the whole point of a deposit to lock in the sale?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by NC_Steve

What is the point of a deposit then if you are going to give it back? Isn't the whole point of a deposit to lock in the sale?

Depends on what has been negotiated. It can also be used to temporarily lock out other prospective buyers.

In this case, the seller probably doesn't have to hand it back.

Actually, I would be surprised if they do.

[Trump]

The seller is not obligated in any way, shape or form to hand the deposit back simply because the buyer changed their mind. The way around this is if a contract of sale is used and conditions that are mutually agreed by both parties are in the contract, usually in the form of "subject to XYZ". If one of the conditions listed was "subject to inspection by third party", then the deposit would have to be returned if the car fails an inspection.