LMVD vs. Private Sale

What are your thoughts on the relative risks involved?

I'm wondering how much difference there actually is between a decent dealer and a private sale with VIR/AA check?

Is there a price threshold at which you would only buy from a LMVD?

Thoughts?

Its more hassle buying private, thats the only reason not to really. You can do all the VIR/ AA checks no problem on a Private sale and you can also purchase a mechinical warranty too so you can basically do it the same as what a dealer can do just its your time and effort. Personally i like private because i hate dealing with most car salesmen, as long as you have a decent amount of time to go through all the processes with private. I still get an AA check on a car from a dealer anyway, any we always have to pay for that

Private is def more hassle but normally always cheaper and you can haggle a bit more. Get all the checks done and have a GOOD look over the car and a good drive and ur fine. It helps if you have friends in the trade, I have a couple of mates that are full time panel beaters that I take with me. They spend 5 - 10mins looking around the car and can pretty much tell me anything important I need to know, Im learning to do it myself now.

I don't think there's any rule of thumb - you know all about the hassle I had with my car ( ) purchased from that dealer, but others are fine.

I think if I'm looking for a particular model of car, I'd check the for sale sections on car club forums, some of those guys are insanely careful with their vehicles and they are very well looked after, and can often be picked up at good prices. Private off somewhere like TradeMe could be a hassle though.

Yup car club forums are a really good place (as long as there is a car club for the car your after)

MAKE SURE TO GET YA CHECKS TO SEE IF MONEYS OWING!!!!