Contact potential new car's last owner

Thinking of giving the car I'm hoping to buy's previous owner a phonecall to ask a few questions.

Is this a bit rapey or have you guys done this too?

I had a woman ring me a month after buying a car off me and I hung up lol. She left a message wanting me to pay for a new radiator

Not sure what response you'll get to be honest. depends on what they are like

Sorry I didn't read that properly, you havent bought the car yet sorry my bad

No you did, lol. I've changed the topic title to make more sense as to what question I was asking. Sorry!

lol so your wanting to buy a car, but first you are wanting to ring the previous owner to ask questions about the car?
Where you buying the car from?

You got it buddy!

A garage. Basically, there were some advisories on the MOT from last year, and its due an MOT in the next 2 months (but the garage will MOT it for me, obviously passing even if would fail elsewhere).

Brake discs worn, front and back.

However the car did 23,000 miles since then, but there's no reciept of the discs being changed.

Magic Johnson said:

You got it buddy!

A garage. Basically, there were some advisories on the MOT from last year, and its due an MOT in the next 2 months (but the garage will MOT it for me, obviously passing even if would fail elsewhere).

Brake discs worn, front and back.

However the car did 23,000 miles since then, but there's no reciept of the discs being changed.

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Ahh thats fair enough i think!
And its not rapey if you dont have to force someone for their number

It's perfectly fine if the previous owners will give you the time of day.

I can't see the problem in asking for some more knowledge about the car, just don't demand money of any kind because it's pointless.

He's out, his wife seemed nice enough.

LOL I certainly won't be demanding any money. Be good to see what the car was like for him though.

What car you wanting to buy? I hope its a Fiat!

Yep, Bravo 120mjet.

Wow. What an incredibly nice and helpful guy!

Thank god I phoned him, he told me the timing belt snapped a year and a half ago (ffs, it was only 2 and a half years old then!) and the engine was rebuilt under warranty.

Is this kind of a positive or should I avoid this car like the plague?

EDIT: It's also had the front arches re-sprayed and the boot lid replaced.

Magic Johnson said:

Thank god I phoned him, he told me the timing belt snapped a year and a half ago (ffs, it was only 2 and a half years old then!) and the engine was rebuilt under warranty.

Is this kind of a positive or should I avoid this car like the plague?

EDIT: It's also had the front arches re-sprayed and the boot lid replaced.

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Personally I would avoid after those issues.

Trev

Depends if you are happy with knowing those issues and if they have been repaired properly, you could get a bargain with the garage after knowing this surely?

Well the garage didn't mention it so I'm assuming he didn't know.

If I mention this will he not turn it around and say oh well it's worth more then as the engine has newer components or whatever?

Magic Johnson said:

Well the garage didn't mention it so I'm assuming he didn't know.

If I mention this will he not turn it around and say oh well it's worth more then as the engine has newer components or whatever?

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He might say that but who says the engine was built to a high standard or another engine wasnt just dropped in instead and hes just saying it had a full rebuild.
Id also be asking myself why the belt went at just 2 and a half years old tbh..
Is there an underlying problem that no one hasnt found yet?

It was rebuilt at a FIAT main dealer so I'm assuming it was built to an equal if not higher standard than factory.

Can't see why the previous owner, who has absolutely nothing to do with the car, would lie?

Yes, that is strange. What would cause a belt to snap so early? I guess it obviously malicious or misuse otherwise FIAT wouldn't have rebuilt the engine under warranty.

I suspect that if you tried to use your background info to try to get a deal, the dealer would just say "that's the price, take it or leave it" because he knows most punters wouldn't take the time to research like you did, and he'll be happy to wait until such a punter comes along. Still, might be worth a go.

Yeah, at least worth a shot.

Now, does anyone know what would cause it to go early? I'm thinking failed water pump, they're notorious they really are.

I've had a very generous offer from a member on here and he's going to check it out/test drive it for me sometime next week, so will wait for feedback off of him.

Magic Johnson said:

Wow. What an incredibly nice and helpful guy!

Thank god I phoned him, he told me the timing belt snapped a year and a half ago (ffs, it was only 2 and a half years old then!) and the engine was rebuilt under warranty.

Is this kind of a positive or should I avoid this car like the plague?

EDIT: It's also had the front arches re-sprayed and the boot lid replaced.

Click to expand...

think this is fitting..........