Private Sale of Cars in SW France

[bazerd]

We are considering the purchase of a LHD 4WD car/vehicle for use in the Barbazan/Luchon/St Gauden area in SW France. Is is best to look fora a good, local dealer or should we consider a private sale/purchase?

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Barrie

 

   

[Val_2]

If you buy a vehicle from a garage or dealer you get 12months guarantee, buy privately and there is no gurantee and fall back either once paid for. Unless you know your motor mechanics, the vehicle already or have someone check it over then I would avoid buying privately especially if you do not speak french or understand everything you are told. The vendor must sell a vehicle over 4 years old with at least 18months to go on the CT and not have any outstanding HP on it or else you may be liable to continue to pay off the loan.

[Anton Redman]

The risk reward issues seem to me to be the same as the UK  if you were prepared to pay cash in UK for a substantial saving on dealer price I would do the same in France.  Equally if you want the security of someone to complain to buy second hand from a franchised dealer. Make sure you have read thhe 'Argus' and the specialist press for you proposed purchase before you start trying to deal.

The key changes are French cars do not drop by between 30% and 45% as soon as they are registered. Unlike the Home Counties you cannot walk in and say "It has been clutering up you forecourt for 7 weeks you must really want to shift it"  Relatively low cost of land, low interest rates and dealer incentives mean dealers are not so presurised to shift their trade ins within 8 weeks.