Used car purchase

About 40 years ago we had to make an emergency purchase when the car we had suddenly died when DH was away from home a lot, so he didn't do all his usual meticulous checks. The car DH found, was a complete disaster. We had to put a new engine in within six weeks.

It was sold to us by a, then, very famous sports commentator. And when disaster struck we got some quite vicious pleasure from the knowledge that, as neither of us has any interest in sport, we had never heard of him and he was clearly put out that his name meant nothing to us and we were not suitably awe struck or ingratiating to him. I did realise that he expected us to know who he was and asked a friend later whether the name meant anything to her and she told me who he was.

Phoenix - When I consider selling my car, please may I give Mr. P first refusal?

DS learned a lot when he bought his first car. He did test drive it but nothing else and discovered he had bought junk. He concluded that it had been in an accident and was not safe so, instead of trying to sell it, took it to a breakers yard. The yard owner looked at it and said it would be great for his daughter so DS told him in no uncertain terms why that was a bad idea. He bought his next car from a proper, well known, dealership!

My granddaughter fell in love with a Rover that she went to look at, the lady said it always started first time, but when she asked to listen to the engine, guess what? She had an explanation for it, so granddaughter went back the following day.............and it still wouldn`t start! She bought a Fiesta instead.

Twice Mr P has bought a car without test driving it, and also twice he has just paid the asking price. (On the most recent occasion he didn't even look in the boot or under the bonnet )

I have tried to explain to him that no seller actually expects anyone to pay the asking price, but he just doesn't seem to get it. Bless

My son drove me to see a (very) used Cavalier. We found that it had lots of Boy Racer add ons and my son said "Dad will hate this" so naturally I bought it. It wasn't bad actually - the engine knocked a bit if I went too fast but it was fine for driving to work. I was even able to sell it on later.

I am amazed. Admitted, DH is an engineer so can do any checks needed but he always looks under the bonnet, examines body work and checks tyres and documents. He also always, always, always goes for a test drive.

Recently a car, otherwise perfect, got rejected after the test drive because the seats were really uncomfortable, even on a short drive, and as we do a lot of longer journeys, comfortable seating is essential.

Even DD, who is reasonably competent technically and DS, who knows nothing about engines goes for a test drive and checks mileage and documents. A colour we like is an added bonus, but car condition and mileage comes first