View Full Version : Advice: How to remotely buy a used car from a private seller?
LeRover
11th April 2021, 10:56 PM
Hi all,
I hope this is the proper place for my question. Apologies if I am in the wrong forum.
I am looking to buy a D4 and to broaden my search, I have looked at some cars in other states.
Would love to get your advice and guidance on the logistics to buy a used car unsighted from a private seller
I saw a list of LR specialists in most states and I think we could arrange for a pre-purchase inspection done at one of those specialists.
Now the tricky bit, how do we execute the transaction (cash changed hand and car shipped)?, and other things need to be considered?
Your guidance and tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks
LeRover.
Tote
12th April 2021, 12:18 PM
I bought my RRS unseen from a private seller within NSW. There are a few things you can do to reassure yourself about the purchase:
A PPSR certificate will give you knowledge of any liens against the vehicle
Searching on the VIN in the Land Rover online service history will give you an idea of the dealer service history, bear in mind that most vehicles will only have had one service a year. Click on the link below book a service Land Rover(R) Online Service History - Land Rover(R) Australia (https://www.landrover.com.au/ownership/service-and-maintenance/online-service-history.html)
My financier actually required the vendor to go through a pile of hoops including a full service report from a land rover dealer.
After much looking I came to the conclusion that me seeing the vehicle physically probably would not actually reduce my risk that much. My financier arranged direct debit payment to the vendor once all the hoops had been completed.
I did reject one nice vehicle that had money owing on it and the vendor was unwilling or unable to clear the debt before purchase. Splitting payment into part for the vendor and part to their finance company seems to be a bridge too far for most financiers and is probably complicated even if you have a fistfull of cash.
Downsides to buying privately - I had to cough up the stamp duty and transfer fees which would have been financed through a dealer, and it is probably more work than buying through a dealer who can do things like interstate shipping at reasonable rates, we drove 600KM to pick it up but the upside was the drive home in a new car (for me) SWMBO had to drive my ute home[bigwhistle]
Regards,
Tote
scarry
12th April 2021, 12:29 PM
Sold my D4 to an interstate buyer on here,unseen.
He rang the place it was serviced at,I also had it checked at another place for him.
The reports were sent to the purchaser with pics,etc.
The purchaser organised the transport and paid for it.
He DD the money to our account for the vehicle.We owned the vehicle outright,he was buying it outright so probably an easier transaction.
I dropped the vehicle at the transport depot and took the plates off it.
Easy as
LeRover
12th April 2021, 03:14 PM
Appreciate your guidance Tote and Scarry.
Very helpful indeed.
Will keep you posted how I go.
Hope to be a proud owner of a D4 soon.
Cheers,
LeRover
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.4 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.