G'day all. Does anybody have some tips on buying a car from an interstate seller eg best method of payment, how to have the car transported any unexpected pitfalls etc? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Pitfalls of buying a car unsighted (albeit from interstate) is you are relying on the honesty of the seller.
If you let people know where you are located it would be a great start.
Then if you advise where and what you are interested in, somebody might be close by and willing to have a look for you.
If all has gone well to this point, you might then arrange for the local Auto Association to do an inspection.
That is of course the vehicle is registered and the owner is willing to take it to the local Auto Association for a once over.
Then of course someone has to pay for the inspection.
I also assume that the owner has nothing to hide, or else he may not co-operate.
My best tip is to use the services of professionals, who will charge you a fee, remembering that fee is a great investment in not ending up with a LEMON.

Cheers Dave

Exactly the sort of tip i'm after. Thanks Dave

yes some good tips
however
don't expect a glowing report from the auto ass report
they obviously want old 'junkers' off the road imao as if there were no new pos around what would fill those endless mags?
you'd never buy an old car with one of those inspection reports as there would be a toilet roll sized list for the report,
they would prolly FAIL a new car in the showroom
in saying that trying to get another vw'er to check it out would be more valuable from someone who has em than a report from someone who's pride and joy, apple of their eye, worked all there life for = an i30 :insert spew emoticon here:
my 2c

get as many pics as possable and not of the pretty paint but the other stuff like underside the a piller and b foot well battery base yep lots of pics if the seller is honest he wont mind

sometimes you just need to trust you gut feeling, and with a great deal of trust and trepidation, just buy!!! If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

I don't recommend the above ^ we bought a karmann Ghia sight unseen, spoke to the guy (who is on this forum) and he sounded genuine, answered all our questions, turns out they were all lies. Told us what he knew we would want to hear.

If you can't afford to go see it, find someone with a good reputation and experience on here local to the area to check it out for you!

Have doen this a number of times mostly with good results.

I always found talking, talking, talking and then heaps of pics helps.

Once I have established a relationship with the seller and are as sure as I can be about the car I do two things.

1) Get a local friend/forum member/expert to have a look

2) Offer the seller half the price up front and the other half upon delivery. Some sellers will kick up but I have always said if you expect me to trust you about your description you need to trust me with your car.


The only time I get in trouble was when I sold my silver beetle to someone else! I offered them the half now half upon arrival deal. They took it and then told me the car had arrived damaged and they would be keeping it but not paying the other half.

If anyone sees a 76 Super in porsche silver let me know. Even though it cost me only $1000 overall I don't really care as I would love the car back!!!

Car was in Dubbo when I sold it!

i have bought 2 split kombis, 1 kg and 1 porsche sight unseen from interstate, if the price is ok, i usually expect the worst and if its better than expected im happy, so far i cant complain, bear in mind 2 of these cars were 15-20 grand each so it was a little bit of a worry

i am also an ex panel beater and do all my own work
for those who cant it would be worse

I have brought 4 kombis, 3 sight unseen. A 73(off a local), 72(ebay/kc) and a 74(off kc) and a 58 split (off dsk) . Best thing i could suggest is to go through the owners pedigree if they happen to be in a club. I was lucky enough to be able to research the owners, that is check their posts or find someone that, u trust, that would vouch for them. On all 3 interstate purchases i was more than happy with the condition/price of the kombis (esp the 58, described perfectly)...do your homework, like the pics and price = sale