Be aware if viewing XC90 - YS04BCX

[timh30]

Please be aware if going to view the XC90 reg YS04BCX currently advertised on Autotrader. I've just had the weirdest experience ever when viewing this car.

The man (selling on behalf of his son), seemed very reluctant to let me drive or check the car over. He did take me on a short test drive (with him driving) and on returning I asked if I could have 15-20 mins to go over the car with my checklist - to which he was somewhat reluctant and kept saying that everything worked - which is fair enough, but as the buyer I need to check these things myself, since I have no comeback from a private sale. Anyhow a few minutes in when I asked if I could plug my code reader in he just went off the wire and said "I know what you're trying to do" - to which I said "I'm just trying to check everything on the car is ok" - however he reached over and grabbed the keys from the ignition and said he didn't want to sell it to us!

So please be aware if going to view this car, the man either seems to expect you to buy the car purely on trust (and is offended if you want to check it over), or has something to hide.

To that man or his son - if you are reading this, I'd just like to say thanks for wasting my time and fuel and upsetting my wife (who the car was for). I was very interested in your car, and if everything checked out ok, would have most likely made you a reasonable offer. Your loss. Lets hope you find some other mug to buy it.

Regards,
Tim.

[Rossi-fan]

What a tosser eh. Count yourself lucky i say. The right car will come along as always

[bondytheboy]

Keep looking just got an 04 with 100k on clock silver privacy Glass winter pack cream leather from a Volvo specialist with warranty for £8400 family love it great to drive best car we have owned. The one you were looking at is over priced what would he have said if you wanted an AA inspection ?

[Rossi-fan]

[QUOTE=bondytheboy;750856]Keep looking just got an 04 with 100k on clock silver privacy Glass winter pack cream leather from a Volvo specialist with warranty for £8400 family love it great to drive best car we have owned. The one you were looking at is over priced what would he have said if you wanted an AA inspection ?[/QU

[AB-UK]

To be fair, I wouldn't have allowed anyone but a dealer or authorised service agent to plug anything into my car's computer.
I recently sold my XC90 privately, and I would have accepted any inspection from the AA or RAC etc., but I doubt even they will access the computer either.

[timh30]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

To be fair, I wouldn't have allowed anyone but a dealer or authorised service agent to plug anything into my car's computer.
I recently sold my XC90 privately, and I would have accepted any inspection from the AA or RAC etc., but I doubt even they will access the computer either.

Indeed - I fully accept that stance, hence why I asked if it was ok. It would have been fine for him to say 'no', but his actions were just beyond belief.

As has already been pointed out, there are plenty of other cars to view, and I'll make sure from now on the person selling is of a sane mind prior to me travelling to make a viewing!

Anyhow, the purpose of my original post was to ensure anyone else thinking of viewing the car, is aware of the sellers strange behaviour and doesn't end up with a wasted journey.

[t5_monkey]

Originally Posted by timh30

Indeed - I fully accept that stance, hence why I asked if it was ok. It would have been fine for him to say 'no', but his actions were just beyond belief.

As has already been pointed out, there are plenty of other cars to view, and I'll make sure from now on the person selling is of a sane mind prior to me travelling to make a viewing!

Anyhow, the purpose of my original post was to ensure anyone else thinking of viewing the car, is aware of the sellers strange behaviour and doesn't end up with a wasted journey.

Sounds like he's a nob.

He could have just said... sorry, I'm not really happy with people plugging stuff into my car - or asked what you were doing at the very least.

Did you have insurance cover to do a test drive?

[lordlichfield]

I too wouldn't let a private buyer plug in anything into a car I was selling. How do you know what it will do? AA/RAC inspection - no problem with that but if you want to drive a car I'm selling show me comprehensive insurance that will cover my car in case you prang it and show me your own ID confirming that you are the same as the person on the certificate.

Sorry but it sounds like you wanted to be left alone with the car for 20 minutes - I wouldn't allow it. I don't know any buyer from any other Tom Dick or Harry so who knows what will happen? The buyer might just be a chancer there to nick something for his own car. What happens if he accidentally damages something and doesn't own up to it?

Too many variables.

Buying and selling is a two way process - I'm sure that many people who think this seller is a t*** would be equally careful with their own car, particularly given how many dodgy buyers are also out there.

I'm not even sure if a dealer would let you plug in diagnostic equipment let alone a private seller.

[scottishvolvo]

I reckon he is being ultra careful because he is selling it for his son. Big responsibility.
Am I too trusting? I, also, wouldn't be too keen on a prospective buyer connecting anything to my car.
Though I would stand back and let them have a look around the car for as long as they wanted, with-out the keys of course

[S60-MBS]

Quiet a few of those types trading on Autotrader now, Recently bought a 1999 S40 for my collection.While I was going through Autotrader saw some nice examples up for grabs.Arranged viewing with a 2000 S40 with 80k and FSH etc up for sale at a very good price, 9am Saturday morning arrived at address given to find a industrial estate,called seller who then gave me another address,45 mins later got there and noticed the car parked across the road in a Lidl car park.Looked over car,looked very good imho,but before asking for test drive I asked for the service books and paperwork,Advert mention previous MOTs etc which I found non only the current MOT,Service history immediatly rang alarm bells as all the stamps from 2002 were from a alleged indy garage in same hand writing and exactly the same pen.I decided to walk away from car and thats when seller got upset at how I wasted his time etc etc, I reminded him sbout the address he had given me in the first place,the bugger got into car and shot off like a prat down the road.
The car I ended up buying was from Stafford,the seller just gave me the keys and wandered off for 30 mins,the paperwork was in glovebox too.Theres all types of sellers out there some dodgy,some good and some careful.