Buying a used car from non-main dealer
Discussion
I see a large number of used luxury and exec cars that are relatively new (less than 3 years old) being sold by used car dealerships that are not main dealers.
Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Buying from a non-main dealer doesn't give you this protection. What are the other risks associated with buying higher-end cars from such dealerships?
Until today I've only been looking at adverts on AutoTrader of cars that are 'Manufacturer Approved'. For some reason unbeknown to me, I've just assumed that buying these cars from any other source is going to be dodgy! On the plus side, in many cases the prices are a few £K lower than similar cars from main dealers.
Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Buying from a non-main dealer doesn't give you this protection. What are the other risks associated with buying higher-end cars from such dealerships?
Until today I've only been looking at adverts on AutoTrader of cars that are 'Manufacturer Approved'. For some reason unbeknown to me, I've just assumed that buying these cars from any other source is going to be dodgy! On the plus side, in many cases the prices are a few £K lower than similar cars from main dealers.
TazLondon said:
I see a large number of used luxury and exec cars that are relatively new (less than 3 years old) being sold by used car dealerships that are not main dealers.
Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Buying from a non-main dealer doesn't give you this protection. What are the other risks associated with buying higher-end cars from such dealerships?
Until today I've only been looking at adverts on AutoTrader of cars that are 'Manufacturer Approved'. For some reason unbeknown to me, I've just assumed that buying these cars from any other source is going to be dodgy! On the plus side, in many cases the prices are a few £K lower than similar cars from main dealers.
Main worry for me would be the potential loss of any 'goodwill' gestures from the manufacturer in the event of any problems once the car is out of the three year warranty period. I think you would be less likely to get any help if the car had been out of the main dealer network. Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Buying from a non-main dealer doesn't give you this protection. What are the other risks associated with buying higher-end cars from such dealerships?
Until today I've only been looking at adverts on AutoTrader of cars that are 'Manufacturer Approved'. For some reason unbeknown to me, I've just assumed that buying these cars from any other source is going to be dodgy! On the plus side, in many cases the prices are a few £K lower than similar cars from main dealers.
TazLondon said:
Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Is this the case? I thought that if it was outwith the manufacturers warranty period that was it - if you wanted extended warranty you had to purchase it as an extra.Could be wrong though.
No, the cars I've looked at all have an 'Approved Used' warranty from the manufacturer if they're sold by a main dealer. This is at least a year's warranty and, in the case of Jaguar, a 2-year warranty. It's not a new car warranty but an approved used warranty. Some even have MOT insurance where they'll pay for up to £750 of repairs if the car fails an MOT during the warranty period.
I guess it's these kinds of things that cost the extra few £K when buying a used car from a main dealer.
I guess it's these kinds of things that cost the extra few £K when buying a used car from a main dealer.
TazLondon said:
No, the cars I've looked at all have an 'Approved Used' warranty from the manufacturer if they're sold by a main dealer. This is at least a year's warranty and, in the case of Jaguar, a 2-year warranty. It's not a new car warranty but an approved used warranty. Some even have MOT insurance where they'll pay for up to £750 of repairs if the car fails an MOT during the warranty period.
I guess it's these kinds of things that cost the extra few £K when buying a used car from a main dealer.
Yep, best find a good non main dealer, or private sale example and self insure by sticking the difference in a "car repair" account, if it doesn't break then you can take the other half on a nice holiday somwhere when you sell it, or use the amount towards a newer one.I guess it's these kinds of things that cost the extra few £K when buying a used car from a main dealer.
I've often wondered this. The sort of places selling nearly new Bentley, Aston, Range Rovers. I visited one once through work. They had celebrity and titled clients. I'm sure that was the case, but I can't understand why.
If you're going to part with 100k or more surely you're wiser to do this at a main dealer than some non-franchise place.
I'm only in the 40k bracket for my cars and threres no way I'd spend my money on a nearly new car that wasn't approved used. Should the car have problems, you have some sort of redress. I'm sure Jaguar Mercedes or whoever would be quite concerned it it turned out they were selling an approved used car that had been clocked for the example.
Many years ago I bought an approved used Volvo. It transpired that it had been involved in a fatal accident. (The driver of the other car) Somehow it got into the approved used system with the damage repaired and not recorded. I found out about it by chance, told the dealer who without quibbling took it back and put me in a different car. I doubt a non-franchise place would have been so accommodating.
If you're going to part with 100k or more surely you're wiser to do this at a main dealer than some non-franchise place.
I'm only in the 40k bracket for my cars and threres no way I'd spend my money on a nearly new car that wasn't approved used. Should the car have problems, you have some sort of redress. I'm sure Jaguar Mercedes or whoever would be quite concerned it it turned out they were selling an approved used car that had been clocked for the example.
Many years ago I bought an approved used Volvo. It transpired that it had been involved in a fatal accident. (The driver of the other car) Somehow it got into the approved used system with the damage repaired and not recorded. I found out about it by chance, told the dealer who without quibbling took it back and put me in a different car. I doubt a non-franchise place would have been so accommodating.
jhonn said:
TazLondon said:
Obviously buying such cars through a main dealer gives you at least one year of 'proper' warranty.
Is this the case? I thought that if it was outwith the manufacturers warranty period that was it - if you wanted extended warranty you had to purchase it as an extra. Could be wrong though.- IF the car is still under manufacturer warranty that will still apply wherever you buy the car.
- There is in itself no magic about buying used cars from the main dealer. However, many marques operate an official "Approved Used" program and if that applies there may be additional protection - but read it carefully because it's not like warranty on a new car.
- All used cars bought from the trade have the same Sale of Goods Act basic protections of "satisfactory condition" and "fitness for purpose". But they are very basic. Basically it's a warranty that it's a car which works when you bought it.
- Any other warranty (including main dealer Approved Used) will depend upon (1) what's written in the purchase contract, and (2) what's written in any additional warranty policy which the buyer might purchase.
What I find intriguing is how these used car places (non-main dealer) acquire high net worth cars to sell in the first place. Where do they get them from?
If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
Ozzie Osmond said:
- IF the car is still under manufacturer warranty that will still apply wherever you buy the car.
There's a thread on one of the MB forums where a guy bought a 2yr old E Class and the engine threw a rod. Turned out it had never been serviced and MB told him that's why it hadn't been sold in their network.
TazLondon. I've noticed your other question regarding dealing with a main dealer who treats customers like a bad smell, wanting £1000 before you can test drive a car. Why, oh why, oh why are you falling into the trap of thinking that main stealers are the ONLY place that you can buy the car of your choice.
Doing your research INCLUDING considering buying privately and dealing with the many honest used car dealers that ARE out there is THE secret. Assuming that the only way to buy a car with a comprehensive warranty is from a main dealer is totally misguided. You are walking around with your eyes shut.
You, and people just like you, are a main dealers dream. Narrow visioned and, relatively easily parted from their money.
Doing your research INCLUDING considering buying privately and dealing with the many honest used car dealers that ARE out there is THE secret. Assuming that the only way to buy a car with a comprehensive warranty is from a main dealer is totally misguided. You are walking around with your eyes shut.
You, and people just like you, are a main dealers dream. Narrow visioned and, relatively easily parted from their money.
Magic919 said:
TazLondon said:
And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
Other buckets and sponges are available. Other jobs, brakes, tyres, wheel refubs, paint, etc would be done in our own workshops.
TazLondon said:
What I find intriguing is how these used car places (non-main dealer) acquire high net worth cars to sell in the first place. Where do they get them from?
If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
I think some of these people are dealer/brokers with much smaller overheads with decent HNW networks. There are a couple in my vicinity that operate from smart houses with big attractive compounds where they can store and display cars (viewing by appointment). My neighbour runs his own business and uses a "broker/dealer" for his company fleet, about 10 cars, and private vehicles. If he needs and extra vehicle for a new employee he just rings this guy up and it's delivered. If he wants to get rid of his wife's high-end SUV then it's off his drive within days. This method is least hassle for my neighbour. If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
ChasW said:
TazLondon said:
What I find intriguing is how these used car places (non-main dealer) acquire high net worth cars to sell in the first place. Where do they get them from?
If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
I think some of these people are dealer/brokers with much smaller overheads with decent HNW networks. There are a couple in my vicinity that operate from smart houses with big attractive compounds where they can store and display cars (viewing by appointment). My neighbour runs his own business and uses a "broker/dealer" for his company fleet, about 10 cars, and private vehicles. If he needs and extra vehicle for a new employee he just rings this guy up and it's delivered. If he wants to get rid of his wife's high-end SUV then it's off his drive within days. This method is least hassle for my neighbour. If you've got a top-end Merc, Jag etc., would you sell it to Fred Bloggs and Son after a couple of years?
Do they buy them at auction? And how can they prep a car without the specialist equipment that a main dealer would have?
e.g. Buying Range Rover trade-ins from Audi/Merc, and visa-versa.
Buying from a main dealer or not, used cars must be purchased carefully. When we buy from the dealers we will have a guarantee that the vehicle is serviced and repaired. Follow this checklist . https://www.aspirefcu.org/resources/vehicle-checkl... . Even then, sometimes we may miss out minor defects which would come out only after the purchase.
Which Car are you going to buy? Even if it is a high-end car, follow the vehicle checklist. Wish you good luck!
Which Car are you going to buy? Even if it is a high-end car, follow the vehicle checklist. Wish you good luck!
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