Buying Audi A4 TDi, but seems a little dodgy...

[Naseem]

Hi all, I'm thinking about buying an A4 (after my last one was written off by some chav!) and need some advice.

I've not had a chance to veiw the car yet but have seen photo's and it seems in fairly good condition. It's a 1999 T reg and has about 93K on the clock, 1.9 TDi SE 110 saloon, FASH, 11months MOT and 3months TAX, £2995.

Thing is I purchased an AA car data check which revealed a couple of things:

The mileage on the advert is 93215, but the DVLA has it recorded at 94000. This i've been told shouldn't be too much of a worry as they usually round up to the nearest 1000.

Also the history of exchanges gets me a bit worried:


"Number of previous keepers4Most recent keeper change 07/04/2008 Dates of other changes:
01/01/2008
05/07/2005
24/06/2002"The current owner has only had the car for about two weeks and prior to him it was owned for about 4months. http://www.audi-forums.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

Could this be perfectly acceptable, ie. they just didn't like the car, or is there something wrong with it and I should steer clear of it?http://www.audi-forums.com/images/smilies/sad.gif

Any suggestions guys?:1zhelp:

I've since been in contact with the seller and via txt (i'm at work) and he states the reason for selling is because he wants a 7 seater instead. I've also asked how long he's had it (just to see whether he's going to be honest) and the V5 number so I can do an MOT check on the VOSA site, just told me to call him later tonight.

I suppose I'm just a litte cautious as to why he's sell so quickly, did he find a fault? Is he buying and selling on the sly?

[Captain Answer]

I suppose I'm just a litte cautious as to why he's sell so quickly, did he find a fault? Is he buying and selling on the sly?

What's sly about buying and selling? Its perfectly legal for private parties to do this (i paid for my degree doing it)

[Naseem]

Well if someone buys and sells a lot it's classed as a trade isn't it? And by sly i mean he's not declared it. I know some people in the past have had issues with people buying and selling cars when the law gets in involed, it's about dodging tax i think.

But anyway, if he is doing that i don't mind, I suppose it puts my mind at ease a little, as opposed to the fact he's selling it because there's something wrong with it?

[Captain Answer]

Well if someone buys and sells a lot it's classed as a trade isn't it? And by sly i mean he's not declared it. I know some people in the past have had issues with people buying and selling cars when the law gets in involed, it's about dodging tax i think.

But anyway, if he is doing that i don't mind, I suppose it puts my mind at ease a little, as opposed to the fact he's selling it because there's something wrong with it?

A trade is exactly that, a sale by someone in the motortrade with the insurance and legal confines that brings. Private sales can take many forms.

There's a cap on the amount of revenue you may generate legally under the taxation threshold (think its 4.5k), and for all you know he may well declare all his earnings legally. That doesn't effect the car or the sale in any legal way. If he is the current registered keeper on the V5 then its perfectly fine for him to transfer it to you in the usual way.

If your mind says its a duck then why are you considering buying it? What extent will you go to to check the vehicle if you think it is a duck? I'm sure it can't be the only car in your price bracket?

Anything anyone tells you on the interweb will pale in comparison to what you can get out of the seller, why don't you ask him the history and see where it gets you?

[Naseem]

Well I've just got off the phone from him. He says he took it as a part exchange and had no intention of keeping it so hasn't bothered registering a new owner.

Thing is though... he said he's had it for about two months and previous owner had it for 2-3 years.

Where as the HPI check says the current owner has had it for two weeks and previous owner had it for four months.

This seems a little too dubious. Also he doesn't have the documents on him as they are in the car, which is parked on his brothers drive. I can call him tomorrow for V5 number and any other details from log book.

[Captain Answer]

Well I've just got off the phone from him. He says he took it as a part exchange and had no intention of keeping it so hasn't bothered registering a new owner.

Thing is though... he said he's had it for about two months and previous owner had it for 2-3 years.

Where as the HPI check says the current owner has had it for two weeks and previous owner had it for four months.

This seems a little too dubious. Also he doesn't have the documents on him as they are in the car, which is parked on his brothers drive. I can call him tomorrow for V5 number and any other details from log book.

He's a trader then, i'd have the V5 number and make some checks. Consider an inspection by a mechanic if you want to go ahead with the car as he's already lied to you stating he had it but wanted a 7 seater. He never intended to have the car if he didn't fill the V5 for his self.

[kimandsally]

Just check it over carefully or take someone who can, get an extensive roadtest, and make sure you start it from cold tell him not to run the car before you get there.
Run it over speed humps to check for suspension knocks etc, then go somewhere to run it up to speed, take an hour or so and if you have a doubt ask the question, if your not happy walk away.
It could be a great car waiting to be yours:beerchug: