I'm looking for a PD130 Ibiza to replace my thirsty 2.0 gti

There are a couple on Autotrader which fit the spec and budget and are "trader" adverts.

Normally that sets me a little at ease and he has a logo and 20 cars for sale so looks legit

However a trader with 2 mobile numbers listed? Hmmmm.

Being at work i'm unable to call up and talk about it so i did the next best thing and sent a text

Hi

Sorry for the text but I am meant to be working not looking for new cars.

Do you still have the 2002 Seat Ibiza TDI for sale as found on the autotrader website?

Thanks

reply received

Yes Mate

i still hve da seat ibiza 4 sale

Should i be running for the hills?!

I honestly wouldn't bother mate. My take on this is if they can't even talk properly cutting corners in spelling and 'iz a tr@da' how do they look after their cars and where do they buy them?

At the end of the day there's not a lot of business acumen in someone who can't speak our own language properly.

I made that mistake once or twice.. I live near Birmingham which is home ov da 'trayduz' ennit. Just poorly repaired wrecks most of the time. Most of the time it seemed that they were drug dealers using the cars for too long and having 'heat' on them so they would flog the car before it was well known as a runners car.

Then again it could all be misconception (amazing how much difference 9 words and a number in a text can make) and could turn out to be a great car, I'd never travel serious distance mind you.

Hahaha!

That's put a smile on my face!

I've met a lot of these types of "traders" in the past, you will find he is selling the cars from off his driveway (or if there are 20 he will have half of them parked somewhere else). Some of these ones I've seen weren't even VAT registered as a business, and theres one in my village that has had the council up in arms over their driveway full of cars.

I always look for an actual garage in the pictures on the advert... either that or buy private, at least they're not trying to kid you.

great i'll speak to the other half and let you know.

Would you consider taking my current 99 plate Ibiza Cupra Sport GTI 8v as a prt-ex?

no mate i dnt want dat as a px

ok so i'm enquiring by text message which isn't exactly normal but i'd expect some kind of professionalism from the seller surely?

It'd put me off, but txtspk is so prevalent these days that it's no guarantee. The head of our department can do the maths to design an antenna to improve reception on his mobile phone no problems, but I don't think I've ever had a text message off him which was more than half coherent.

If it's not too far I'd say it's still worth a look (pending other things like checking the service history and I guess an HPI check from somewhere like www.thecheck.co.uk wouldn't go amiss either).

I live near Birmingham which is home ov da 'trayduz' ennit.

Funny you should mention Brum

He does have, what looks like an autotrader powered website, and upon streetviewing the address shows it's a house

Website also shows just the same 2 mobile numbers and viewings as all by appointment

hmmmm

@PastyBoy: You got PM

I'd just advise you check the car out quite well.

It's probably a private trader that doesn't officially exist, that quite possibly buys cheap cars from an auction (where people put them because they are knackered) with a view to doing them up and selling them off.

I'd treat it as a private sale, there is no benefit to buying off a trader like this.

Remember, any faults will have been fixed to a cost... to maximise profit.

Lol is this why you might be coming to the mids soon?

he might be a individual seller, I bought my mum a car from brum...lol it all seemed a bit dodgy, met him on the street, he gave me the keys and had a loo around started it drove it, left me with no petrol!!!

but I gotta say he was very honest!

so sometimes its worth a try, but sometimes its not... if he's near cov want me to go have a look!?

Funny you should mention Brum

He does have, what looks like an autotrader powered website, and upon streetviewing the address shows it's a house

Website also shows just the same 2 mobile numbers and viewings as all by appointment

hmmmm

Runs outside with the K-seal, jumpleads, tyre weld, tops up oil with cheapest sh!te known to man, unlocks the doors because the central locking is knackered, reverse parks it up against the garage because the boot has been partially stoved in, pours water in the coolant expansion tank, leaves idling for 30 mins to clear the head gasket failure/valve steam seal smoke and Robs your mo's bro, all while giving you the spiel about it's a great runner and it's warm because he has had to drive it from 'iz unit' with nuffin rong, add a few ennits in there for good measure.

Simples..

yeah my alarm bells are ringing

especially as the car IS cheap but has been on autotrader for a month and is still there and shows and untaxed since October

think i've found a more local alternative from a more reputable source..........ebay :S

In short, no - Stay well clear. :no:

Hahaha!

That's put a smile on my face!

I've met a lot of these types of "traders" in the past, you will find he is selling the cars from off his driveway (or if there are 20 he will have half of them parked somewhere else).

Like round here, working off the service road in front of Wickes, before the constables and Trading standards paid them a visit.

When the sale description includes the word "Lusch . " I always think of Wetherspoons or punch taverns, either that or the Eden valley:rofl:

A model of de-regulation that Grant Shaps would love.

Nick

Edited 31 January, 201214 yr by Clunkclick

Should i be running for the hills?!

Yes. I certainly would be

I went to look at a pd150 golf in Birmingham before I got the fabia. The site said the address of the garage, off I went. Arrived to find a part worn tyre place with two cars for sale. Asked about the golf, some young lad said he would take me to it, followed him at break neck speed round various back roads over speed bumps for about 15min. Ended up in basically a back garden with about 15-20 cars wedged in it. All looked fairly rough, needless to say I ran a mile!

I find ebay bargains can be had if you go and view....many people wont bid as they live miles away.

Dealers are often scammers themselves who know the faults and know how to hide them....but do offer some wrannties, thats if they would even honour them.

A good old private sale....go round have a brew, look through the paperwork, ask questions and take it for a drive. Thats what i did and hes now even a friend on facebook and were going to local meets together.....that shows he has confidence that the car is a good one.

As for text speak....id turn up just to punch him!