Everything I'd personally do before buying a used car from Facebook Marketplace to avoid expensive mistakes.
Before You Message The Seller
Buying a car from Facebook Marketplace can either save you a lot of money or become an absolute nightmare. There are plenty of good cars on there, but unfortunately there are also plenty of people who will happily sell you a very poorly maintained vehicle.
The biggest mistake I see people make is getting emotionally attached to the car before they've actually checked it properly. A nice colour, nice wheels and a cheap price can make people completely ignore what's going on underneath.
The best advice I can give is don't rush into anything. Take your time. A good car today will still be a good car tomorrow.
"Never fall in love with the advert. Fall in love with the condition of the car."
A lot of adverts say things like 'First to see will buy' or 'No time wasters'. Don't let that pressure you into making a bad decision. Realistically the seller normally wants the car gone more than you need to buy it.
Research The Car Before You Even Message
Before you even send the first message I'd always check the MOT history.
- Has the mileage increased every year?
- Any repeated advisories?
- Previous corrosion advisories?
- Oil leaks mentioned multiple years?
- Brake or suspension advisories coming back every MOT?
- Does anything suggest the car has been neglected?
Pay particular attention to corrosion around the sills. A hole in the sill can quickly turn what looks like a bargain into a very expensive mistake that won't pass its next MOT.
I always tell people to get underneath and have a look. If you struggle to see, simply use your phone camera, record a video underneath the sill and watch it back afterwards.
Messaging The Seller
Once you've done your research and still like the car, don't start with 'Is this available?'. If the advert is still live then most of the time it probably is.
I'd normally start with something like 'Hi, hope you're well. I'm really interested in the car and would like to arrange a viewing as soon as possible.'
Straight away you sound genuine rather than somebody sending the same message to twenty different sellers.
Questions I'd Ask
- Do you have the service history?
- How many keys are included?
- When was the timing belt replaced?
- How long have you owned it?
- Why are you selling it?
- Has it ever had any major repairs?
- Any warning lights?
Viewing The Vehicle
Ideally you want the engine to be completely cold before you arrive. A warm engine can hide smoking, rattles and cold starting issues.
Have a quick look underneath for oil leaks, coolant leaks or anything hanging down.
One thing I always look at is the tyres. If it's got four completely different brands fitted there's a good chance the owner has simply asked for the cheapest tyre every time one needed replacing. It's not always a bad sign, but it does tell you quite a lot about how they've maintained the rest of the car.
Walk around the vehicle and check the bodywork carefully. Uneven panel gaps, different paint shades or overspray can sometimes indicate previous accident repairs.
- Check underneath for leaks
- Look at tyre condition and brands
- Look for uneven panel gaps
- Check all warning lights
- Listen for rattles when started from cold
- Hold the engine around 2,500rpm and make sure it runs smoothly
The Road Test
For me this is probably the most important part of buying any used car.
- Does it pull well?
- Any smoke under acceleration?
- Does the clutch bite high?
- Does it feel like the clutch is slipping?
- Is the steering wheel straight?
- Any knocking noises?
- Do the brakes feel smooth?
A simple way of checking for clutch slip is driving around 20-30mph in fifth or sixth gear and accelerating firmly. If the revs rise but the speed doesn't increase properly, the clutch could be slipping.
Always Get A VDI or HPI Check
Once you're happy with the car I'd always recommend paying for a proper VDI check. Yes, it costs money, but compared to buying a stolen, written-off or outstanding finance vehicle it's one of the cheapest parts of buying a car.
- Outstanding finance
- Insurance write-off
- Mileage discrepancies
- Stolen vehicle checks
- VIN checks
Negotiating The Price
This is the bit most people hate, but it really doesn't need to be awkward.
I never ask 'What's your best price?'. Instead, compliment the car first if it's genuinely nice, then explain any faults you've found that may need attention.
If you've done your research properly you'll already know roughly what the car is worth. Don't offer something silly because most sellers will simply stop negotiating.
Ask whether they'd consider an offer around the figure you've got in mind. Remember the first answer is often 'no', so always have another figure ready.
"Never negotiate because you want money off. Negotiate because you've found genuine reasons why the car isn't worth the asking price."
My Honest Opinion
Facebook Marketplace isn't a bad place to buy a car. I've bought plenty myself. The problem isn't Facebook, it's people buying too quickly without doing the right checks.
Take your time, ask plenty of questions, check the MOT history, road test the vehicle properly and always trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, walk away. There will always be another car.
If you've found up to three Facebook Marketplace cars you're interested in, our Expert Vehicle Review can check their MOT history, VDI history, common faults and help you decide whether it's worth buying before you hand over your money.
Alfie has over 11 years of experience in the motor trade and founded Alfa Prestige to give buyers the insider knowledge that was previously only available to professionals.
