Mis-described approved used car
Discussion
We are looking to buy a second hand car, it is quite unusual and there are only a few for sale in the country. I found an approved used one for sale on Autotrader, it was about 3.5hrs away but they all seem to be miles away! I rang the dealers and spoke, by chance, to the company director who told me the car is immaculate and that I "wouldn't be disappointed". I then spoke to a sales person who reiterated how nice the car was. I paid a deposit to secure the car a week or so ago. I, rather foolishly it turns out, thought that being an approved used car from a main dealer and based on the directors assurances, that the car would be as descibed.
Today I have travelled by train to pick the car up, arranging the insurance last night.
On arrival the car was presented wet, just hosed off apparently, but I could still that the paint was quite badly scratched and there were parts where bird lime has eaten through the lacquer, both front wheels were kerbed and bits of silver coloured trim were badly discoloured. The salesman got the car machine polished while I waited, it was then presented wet, again. I asked for it to be dried, which revealed the whole bonnet and roof was covered in spotting, some sort of fall out, presumably this would not come off with machine polishing as that had just been done. I was also told there was a stamp missing from the "full service history" and the MOT had not been done so it only had about 2 months until it was due.
Needless to say I was no longer happy to buy to car. This meant I had spent £80 each way on the train, £15 in a taxi and £60 on insurance (which I can't cancel as it is a temp add on). Not to mention the waste of an entire day. The dealer have offered to refund the train fare one way.
Any idea what I should do next? Is that a reasonable outcome?
The car is a 2021 with about 30000 on it, price is around £24k, they did offer to knock £500 off....
Today I have travelled by train to pick the car up, arranging the insurance last night.
On arrival the car was presented wet, just hosed off apparently, but I could still that the paint was quite badly scratched and there were parts where bird lime has eaten through the lacquer, both front wheels were kerbed and bits of silver coloured trim were badly discoloured. The salesman got the car machine polished while I waited, it was then presented wet, again. I asked for it to be dried, which revealed the whole bonnet and roof was covered in spotting, some sort of fall out, presumably this would not come off with machine polishing as that had just been done. I was also told there was a stamp missing from the "full service history" and the MOT had not been done so it only had about 2 months until it was due.
Needless to say I was no longer happy to buy to car. This meant I had spent £80 each way on the train, £15 in a taxi and £60 on insurance (which I can't cancel as it is a temp add on). Not to mention the waste of an entire day. The dealer have offered to refund the train fare one way.
Any idea what I should do next? Is that a reasonable outcome?
The car is a 2021 with about 30000 on it, price is around £24k, they did offer to knock £500 off....
edthedead said:
who told me the car is immaculate and that I "wouldn't be disappointed". I then spoke to a sales person who reiterated how nice the car was.
The trouble is, that's all just subjective fluff from people trying to sell you the car. 'Immaculate' could mean no nasty dents, major scrapes or rust.I'd just move on and look for a better car.
To be honest I'm amazed they offered anything, A few months ago the GM of a franchise dealer I called happened to pick up the phone and said he "guaranteed I wouldn't be disappointed" if I travelled to them to buy a new car they had on Autotrader as being immedialtely available. I made it clear we needed the car that week and he said he would supply a loan car pending its delivery.
Kept us hanging around for ages as the GM "was in a meeting". Turned out they had no clear idea of when the car would arrive and a loan car wouldn't be available until a couple of weeks away.
I left wishing I could call up a missile strike to wipe the dealership off the face of the earth.
Kept us hanging around for ages as the GM "was in a meeting". Turned out they had no clear idea of when the car would arrive and a loan car wouldn't be available until a couple of weeks away.
I left wishing I could call up a missile strike to wipe the dealership off the face of the earth.
tty review on google and move on.I have sent an email to the dealer and also to the brand expressing my dissatisfaction, so will see what comes of that... probably nothing.
It has really put me off trying to find another one, as they all seem to be so far away that buying "over the phone" is the only practical option. I guess I will have to find a different brand!
It has really put me off trying to find another one, as they all seem to be so far away that buying "over the phone" is the only practical option. I guess I will have to find a different brand!
So you didn't intend to drive the car away on the day as you bought a return rail ticket.
Although you organised insurance.
You didn't need to set up insurance beforehand that could have been done once you decided you were having it.
I've bought a few cars from a distance away. Always arranged a small returnable holding deposit.
One way rail ticket or lift from friend.
If car not suitable deposit back and I stand the cost of transport.
It's my choice to buy cars at a distance.
Only believe half of what you see and nothing that you here.
The sellers are hardly likely to tell you its got defects.
After 4+ years plus 30000 miles it's hardly likely to be pristine.
At least it didn't have bodged tarted up repairs.
If the price was right might be worth buying and dealing with the defects.
Otherwise move on. Life too short etc.
Although you organised insurance.
You didn't need to set up insurance beforehand that could have been done once you decided you were having it.
I've bought a few cars from a distance away. Always arranged a small returnable holding deposit.
One way rail ticket or lift from friend.
If car not suitable deposit back and I stand the cost of transport.
It's my choice to buy cars at a distance.
Only believe half of what you see and nothing that you here.
The sellers are hardly likely to tell you its got defects.
After 4+ years plus 30000 miles it's hardly likely to be pristine.
At least it didn't have bodged tarted up repairs.
If the price was right might be worth buying and dealing with the defects.
Otherwise move on. Life too short etc.
edthedead said:
miniman said:
Do you still have access to the photos from the advert?
No, they have disappeared off Autotrader. I am sure the paintwork damage did not show up on the photos though.Definitely dodged a bullet OP. I bought a car and when I got it home, discovered a few issues with it. Took it back straight away and salesman said he would get everything sorted, but it would take a couple of days. A week later and he stopped answering my calls. I went to the showroom to find it empty and my car parked on the street. A guy in an adjacent unit saw us looking around the car and came out to tell us that the showroom had closed, at least five other customers had been chasing the dealer and that the guy had told him that I would be coming and to give me the keys.
It cost me £200 to fix all the issues and I learned a lesson. Fortunately, the car increased in value quite a bit over the next five years or so, but I still felt like I had been ripped off.
It cost me £200 to fix all the issues and I learned a lesson. Fortunately, the car increased in value quite a bit over the next five years or so, but I still felt like I had been ripped off.
Volvo1956 said:
So you didn't intend to drive the car away on the day as you bought a return rail ticket.
.
He didn't say he bought a return ticket..
I read it as - he bought an £80 ticket to get there. When he didn't buy the car he had to buy another £80 ticket to get back home, which the dealer 'kindly' refunded.
I had this with a Seat Leon, Seat main dealer. Car was so poorly prepped when I arrived I got my deposit back and the dealer couldn't care less. Fortunately it was local.
Some years later I incidentally bought another Leon quite some distance away and seemed to completely forget my prior experience until id committed to it. 3a three hour journey to collect and I was so pleased it was generally decent - except for a worn bolster which I'd specifically asked about, and the dealer was decent enough to reimburse for a specialist to repair it locally to me.
It did remind me never to trust a dealer, whether 'official' or otherwise and ask for VERY detailed photos and description of any flaws (by email) before committing!
Some years later I incidentally bought another Leon quite some distance away and seemed to completely forget my prior experience until id committed to it. 3a three hour journey to collect and I was so pleased it was generally decent - except for a worn bolster which I'd specifically asked about, and the dealer was decent enough to reimburse for a specialist to repair it locally to me.
It did remind me never to trust a dealer, whether 'official' or otherwise and ask for VERY detailed photos and description of any flaws (by email) before committing!
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