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  • I think I'm going to buy a new car. I've had this car for about 19 years, so the process is a bit daunting.

    Any advice regarding who to have inspect it? MyCar have an inspection service for around $250, is there any problem going with them?

    I don't think I'm up for trying to sell my current car privately, so I'll probably trade in even though it won't be worth much. I also have no idea how you actually pay for something that costs that much these days - last time I was in the market the standard was a bank cheque.

    • I got rid of a similar aged car mid lockdown. The process of getting it inspected and de-Takata airbaged was too daunting so I just sold it to a scrapper for peanuts...

    • I used a mobile inspection service to check the car when I bought mine last year. I dunno, they're all much of a muchness. I used ACE Mechanics. Had to call around a bit as the car was outside some service areas.

      As for payment I used bank transfer - first for a deposit to secure the car, then the rest split it over two days due to hitting max daily limit. This was with a private seller though. No idea what dealerships do but I doubt cheques are an option even with them...

      • Dealerships do bank transfers too. I bought from a dealer earlier this year. Mine was a bit weird because not in Melbourne so I did a deposit to hold it then transfered before I went to pick it up.

        I did a test drive but not an external inspection because it was basically new and had a Toyota warranty thing.

        • Yeah, I wouldn't bother with an independent inspection for a car new enough to still be under manufacturer warranty, sold by a reputable dealership. But for a 13 year old car from a private seller... absolutely lol.

          Some day when I let go of this car, I think I might cave and save up to get a new car from the dealership. Don't know if I can handle dealing with reams of private sellers...

    • I think car sales has an instant quote sale option for an idea of the minium value of your current car. Even with a RWC and inspection people tend to let their car wear a little before sale so if you're buying 2nd hand consider another grand or two for a major service, eg timing belt.

112 comments