Viewing a Car - POLL

[Sundayjumper]

Sparked by a conversation with Gavster.

This has happened a couple of times - a seller that won't give you their house number, just a postcode and wants you to phone them when you get to that road.

[Gavster]

5+ years ago I would have said weird, however, things seem to be different now. Even my bike mechanic said the same thing the first time I used him.

[Carlos]

Same happened when we bought a motorhome a couple of years ago.

Cheeky twat did a drive by a mile or so from her house to see if we looked decent lol

[NGRhodes]

TBH its pretty pointless from a car selling perspective, a postcode is plenty for a miscreant to locate the vehicle.

[Mito Man]

See also those car storage warehouses - “central London location” and then you see they’re very much no in central London.

[Matty]

Seems pointless. If I was going to nick it, I'd just drive down and either find it parked on the drive, as a postcode is a fairly small geographic area, or I'd say "OK, I'm here" and get you to send the house number and not turn up anyway.

[Beany]

See also those car storage warehouses - “central London location” and then you see they’re very much no in central London.

That just means 'inside the M25' surely?

[jamcg]

It’s very weird. My postcode links to about 5 houses. Even if the car in question is stored in a garage it’s not difficult to whittle it down to which one, especially if the photos in their advert are taken on their own drive. It’s just fucking dumb

[V8Granite]

Even though it doesn’t really make much difference at all addresses I think mine is 1 of about 30 possible houses.

If theirs is similar I can see why people are a bit weary. I’ve spoken to a couple of friends who have had some very dodgy buyers of cars and quite intimidating characters trying to scam them.

Dave!

[IanF]

It’s just another level of effort that a potential thief has to employ and, as they tend to go for the easiest option, I can understand why people would do that.

[jamcg]

Just double checked. My postcode only links to 7 houses. Not much effort to check 7 houses that sit one after the other

[IanF]

Yes, but are they going to break into 7 houses looking for the key to your car? Like I said, it just makes it more effort for them and they tend to go for the easiest option

[Sundayjumper]

Depends if the car is parked outside, or if the photos were taken on the driveway.

If you Google my postcode it's extremely obvious which house is mine

[jamcg]

Yes, but are they going to break into 7 houses looking for the key to your car? Like I said, it just makes it more effort for them and they tend to go for the easiest option

Depends on the car. 1l fiesta, no. Porsche 911 turbo s getting stolen to order- possibly.

Or if it’s a Range Rover just walk around with the fob extender thingy until something flashes