Used Car Preparation
Discussion
Bit of a moan here.
Over the past few months we have been looking for a new car for my wife.
Last week we seen what could have potentially been an ideal car advertised at a MINI main dealer as 'Approved Used'. It was stating it has just arrived so limited pictures and information.
A few emails back and forth with the dealership asking about the history and condition and all seemed positive. It was a '14' plate with 50k miles so I expected a few wear and tear items.
I specifically asked about the condition of the interior and asked if it was smoke free. The sales person stated that it was in their preparation center but they would have the car brought to the dealership for me to view.
A viewing was arranged so I travelled from Glasgow to Aberdeen. At the dealership they advised that the car had been valeted but still had a few bodywork issues to be sorted out.
Upon opening the door I could tell straight away that the car was owned by a previous smoker. To add to this, there was dust, dirt and cigarette ash around all the switch gear. Also the interior trim dressing was running down every panel.
I spent no more than 10 minutes at the dealership before travelling home.
I followed up with an email advising on my disappointment with the overall cleanliness and condition of the car. The reply I got was that they never fully prepare their cars until they are sold and ready for collection.
In my opinion, what it's the point of putting a car up for sale until it is in its best condition? For me it was a 5 hour wasted round trip. Are my expectation too high?
I know dealerships and looking for quick turnarounds on cars but I was honestly shocked at the state of it.
Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
Over the past few months we have been looking for a new car for my wife.
Last week we seen what could have potentially been an ideal car advertised at a MINI main dealer as 'Approved Used'. It was stating it has just arrived so limited pictures and information.
A few emails back and forth with the dealership asking about the history and condition and all seemed positive. It was a '14' plate with 50k miles so I expected a few wear and tear items.
I specifically asked about the condition of the interior and asked if it was smoke free. The sales person stated that it was in their preparation center but they would have the car brought to the dealership for me to view.
A viewing was arranged so I travelled from Glasgow to Aberdeen. At the dealership they advised that the car had been valeted but still had a few bodywork issues to be sorted out.
Upon opening the door I could tell straight away that the car was owned by a previous smoker. To add to this, there was dust, dirt and cigarette ash around all the switch gear. Also the interior trim dressing was running down every panel.
I spent no more than 10 minutes at the dealership before travelling home.
I followed up with an email advising on my disappointment with the overall cleanliness and condition of the car. The reply I got was that they never fully prepare their cars until they are sold and ready for collection.
In my opinion, what it's the point of putting a car up for sale until it is in its best condition? For me it was a 5 hour wasted round trip. Are my expectation too high?
I know dealerships and looking for quick turnarounds on cars but I was honestly shocked at the state of it.
Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
We went to look at a 3 year old Qashqai at a local car supermarket some years ago.
It was raining heavily so I was unable to make a decision there and then as I wanted to see it dry and clean, we agreed a small refundable deposit subject to this.
A week later we return and had to wait 45 mins as it was still being prepped, when it rolls out for inspection I can see a lot of wet touch up paint on various stone chips etc which when wiped come off on my hand!
Very amusing but also a complete waste of time.
It was raining heavily so I was unable to make a decision there and then as I wanted to see it dry and clean, we agreed a small refundable deposit subject to this.
A week later we return and had to wait 45 mins as it was still being prepped, when it rolls out for inspection I can see a lot of wet touch up paint on various stone chips etc which when wiped come off on my hand!
Very amusing but also a complete waste of time.
s-x-i said:
I know dealerships and looking for quick turnarounds on cars but I was honestly shocked at the state of it.
Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
Given the market at the moment they are probably flying out the door anyway. Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
But I'm with you, you prep the car to it's best possible condition in order to sell it, not deliver it.
It's equivalent to showing someone round your house and not cleaning it, but saying 'don't worry, i'll clean it once you buy it'. Although the lady we bought our house from decided she was in too much of a rush to clean it before handing over the keys. We left our house immaculate for the next owners.
I agree it’s very disappointing. As I understand it, dealers are reluctant to prep and clean every car on the forecourt because it’s tying up more time and money in stock. Those which end up going to auction because they don’t sell or whatever are money wasted.
It seems a no brainer to me, to sell cars more quickly for more money, but what do I know, I’m not a car dealer!
I know how it feels as a customer though, when you visit somewhere where everything clearly is prepped and more or less ready to go.
It seems a no brainer to me, to sell cars more quickly for more money, but what do I know, I’m not a car dealer!
I know how it feels as a customer though, when you visit somewhere where everything clearly is prepped and more or less ready to go.
One thing I've found is that cars sold under various "used approved" schemes at franchised main dealers are not necessarily well prepared. Conversely, I've bought once or twice from independent traders and the cars have been immaculate.
In other words, it's pot luck really. Added to that, the sales people often either don't know or just wing it; number of previous owners is a good example:
Me: "How many owners has it had?"
Sales person: "Oh, I think it says that in the advert, doesn't it?"
Me: "It does, but it's unclear if that's total or previous owners, and I wanted to double check anyway, if you don't mind."
SP: "Um, three, I think. Or maybe four if you include previous owners. Yeah, no, three. Have you seen our special offer on finance? We do great deals on gap insurance too, and................"
In other words, it's pot luck really. Added to that, the sales people often either don't know or just wing it; number of previous owners is a good example:
Me: "How many owners has it had?"
Sales person: "Oh, I think it says that in the advert, doesn't it?"
Me: "It does, but it's unclear if that's total or previous owners, and I wanted to double check anyway, if you don't mind."
SP: "Um, three, I think. Or maybe four if you include previous owners. Yeah, no, three. Have you seen our special offer on finance? We do great deals on gap insurance too, and................"
It's common practice amongst main dealers to not fully prep the car until it's sold, it does come across as counter intuitive & personally if a caes ready to go out of the door at anytime it's more cost effective but they say if it doesn't sell & they punt it out to auction then the prep money has been wasted.
A few years ago I made an appointment to view a one month old pre-reg car which had 5 miles on the clock. The salesman phoned me the day before to confirm that I was still attending. On arriving the car was in the middle of all the cars on the forecourt, was filthy and had leaves everywhere inside where it had been displayed with the tailgate open. The front bumper had a big scrape on one of the corners, there's was a large chip out of the paint on the edge of the driver's door where it had been opened onto a wall or something, plus there was a long scratch on the top of the door sill in the door shut which was down to the metal. I pointed these out to the salesman who's response was "yeh, not what you expect on a car of that age is it". I was expecting him to say say "don't worry, we will put them right" but nothing ! Also the car did not have cruise control, rear parking sensors or climate control which it was advertised with. I declined his offer to have the car moved out so that I could test drive it ! This was at a manufacturer owned main dealership for the make of car I was looking at.
The last 4 cars I've bought for myself, & last two for the wife, have all been well prepared.
A few months ago I went with a friend, whose cart had been written off & desperate to buy a replacement, to view a BMW 3-series at a BMW dealer. It was filthy inside & out, rear seat covered in dog hair & smelt of dog. He declined to test drive until it had been cleaned & was told it wouldn't be ready for at least 5 days. He bought a well prepared Audi 2 hours later & drove away in it.
A few months ago I went with a friend, whose cart had been written off & desperate to buy a replacement, to view a BMW 3-series at a BMW dealer. It was filthy inside & out, rear seat covered in dog hair & smelt of dog. He declined to test drive until it had been cleaned & was told it wouldn't be ready for at least 5 days. He bought a well prepared Audi 2 hours later & drove away in it.
s-x-i said:
Bit of a moan here.
Over the past few months we have been looking for a new car for my wife.
Last week we seen what could have potentially been an ideal car advertised at a MINI main dealer as 'Approved Used'. It was stating it has just arrived so limited pictures and information.
A few emails back and forth with the dealership asking about the history and condition and all seemed positive. It was a '14' plate with 50k miles so I expected a few wear and tear items.
I specifically asked about the condition of the interior and asked if it was smoke free. The sales person stated that it was in their preparation center but they would have the car brought to the dealership for me to view.
A viewing was arranged so I travelled from Glasgow to Aberdeen. At the dealership they advised that the car had been valeted but still had a few bodywork issues to be sorted out.
Upon opening the door I could tell straight away that the car was owned by a previous smoker. To add to this, there was dust, dirt and cigarette ash around all the switch gear. Also the interior trim dressing was running down every panel.
I spent no more than 10 minutes at the dealership before travelling home.
I followed up with an email advising on my disappointment with the overall cleanliness and condition of the car. The reply I got was that they never fully prepare their cars until they are sold and ready for collection.
In my opinion, what it's the point of putting a car up for sale until it is in its best condition? For me it was a 5 hour wasted round trip. Are my expectation too high?
I know dealerships and looking for quick turnarounds on cars but I was honestly shocked at the state of it.
Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
So did the sales person definitely tell you the car was smoke free when you called them? From what you have written here, it seems they didn't, just that it was at their preparation centre, which you seem to have taken as it being smoke free. If they specifically stated that it was smoke free, then that is lousy on their part. Over the past few months we have been looking for a new car for my wife.
Last week we seen what could have potentially been an ideal car advertised at a MINI main dealer as 'Approved Used'. It was stating it has just arrived so limited pictures and information.
A few emails back and forth with the dealership asking about the history and condition and all seemed positive. It was a '14' plate with 50k miles so I expected a few wear and tear items.
I specifically asked about the condition of the interior and asked if it was smoke free. The sales person stated that it was in their preparation center but they would have the car brought to the dealership for me to view.
A viewing was arranged so I travelled from Glasgow to Aberdeen. At the dealership they advised that the car had been valeted but still had a few bodywork issues to be sorted out.
Upon opening the door I could tell straight away that the car was owned by a previous smoker. To add to this, there was dust, dirt and cigarette ash around all the switch gear. Also the interior trim dressing was running down every panel.
I spent no more than 10 minutes at the dealership before travelling home.
I followed up with an email advising on my disappointment with the overall cleanliness and condition of the car. The reply I got was that they never fully prepare their cars until they are sold and ready for collection.
In my opinion, what it's the point of putting a car up for sale until it is in its best condition? For me it was a 5 hour wasted round trip. Are my expectation too high?
I know dealerships and looking for quick turnarounds on cars but I was honestly shocked at the state of it.
Anyway, rant over. The search continues.
I actually don't mind them not preparing the car until it has been sold, because it gives you a good idea of how well the previous owner has looked after the car, which will also tell you a lot more about the condition of the car in general.
Also, it's a sellers market at the moment, which explains why dealers can be a bit lax in this way (not that they should be of course).
It is a constant battle. I normally have around 20-30% of my stock in ‘awaiting prep’ status, I.E waiting for paintwork, wheel refurbish’ent, valeting etc.
I then have probably another 10-15% awaiting a slot in the workshop.
It’s easy to say ‘don’t advertise until they’re ready’ but one reality it just doesn’t and can’t work that way. Also, the vast majority of people are not PH’ers and as long as you state ‘this is an awaiting prep car’ and outline what work will/won’t be done to it then most are happy to buy as is, the car can then jump the queue to get ready to sell.
The marketplace is also very odd at the moment with values changing daily. Lots of dealers seem happy to hold cars without doing any prep work until they are sold just in case they decide to trade them instead. Certainly a couple of cars I’ve bought from other dealers recently have shocked me that they’ve been ‘prepared’ for sale, only for me to then spend another £1000 cosmetically to get them right.
I then have probably another 10-15% awaiting a slot in the workshop.
It’s easy to say ‘don’t advertise until they’re ready’ but one reality it just doesn’t and can’t work that way. Also, the vast majority of people are not PH’ers and as long as you state ‘this is an awaiting prep car’ and outline what work will/won’t be done to it then most are happy to buy as is, the car can then jump the queue to get ready to sell.
The marketplace is also very odd at the moment with values changing daily. Lots of dealers seem happy to hold cars without doing any prep work until they are sold just in case they decide to trade them instead. Certainly a couple of cars I’ve bought from other dealers recently have shocked me that they’ve been ‘prepared’ for sale, only for me to then spend another £1000 cosmetically to get them right.
The Rotrex Kid said:
It is a constant battle. I normally have around 20-30% of my stock in ‘awaiting prep’ status, I.E waiting for paintwork, wheel refurbish’ent, valeting etc.
I then have probably another 10-15% awaiting a slot in the workshop.
It’s easy to say ‘don’t advertise until they’re ready’ but one reality it just doesn’t and can’t work that way. Also, the vast majority of people are not PH’ers and as long as you state ‘this is an awaiting prep car’ and outline what work will/won’t be done to it then most are happy to buy as is, the car can then jump the queue to get ready to sell.
The marketplace is also very odd at the moment with values changing daily. Lots of dealers seem happy to hold cars without doing any prep work until they are sold just in case they decide to trade them instead. Certainly a couple of cars I’ve bought from other dealers recently have shocked me that they’ve been ‘prepared’ for sale, only for me to then spend another £1000 cosmetically to get them right.
A local under the arches trader I used to deal with did very well indeed. 20 car monthly stock turn.I then have probably another 10-15% awaiting a slot in the workshop.
It’s easy to say ‘don’t advertise until they’re ready’ but one reality it just doesn’t and can’t work that way. Also, the vast majority of people are not PH’ers and as long as you state ‘this is an awaiting prep car’ and outline what work will/won’t be done to it then most are happy to buy as is, the car can then jump the queue to get ready to sell.
The marketplace is also very odd at the moment with values changing daily. Lots of dealers seem happy to hold cars without doing any prep work until they are sold just in case they decide to trade them instead. Certainly a couple of cars I’ve bought from other dealers recently have shocked me that they’ve been ‘prepared’ for sale, only for me to then spend another £1000 cosmetically to get them right.
His secret? Fantastic cosmetic prep. He aimed to have every car prepped, (much in-house) advertised and on the pitch within a couple of days.
Mechanical prep, may or may not have involved a filter/oil/stamp but little more.
We looked at a 2018 Mini at our local main dealer a few months back. The windscreen was pebble dashed with chips (no sir we won't replace that ) as was the bonnet (we will replace the stripes for you but that's all)...the idrive was showing front brake pads due for replacement (we need to check that) and discs front and back were badly lipped - new discs and pads all round please - guffaw I'm pretty sure was the answer.
No history on the idrive.
Someone bought it.
My favourite was a Lexus where despite advance notification on arrival the Lexus 2.9% finance stickers had obviously been hastily removed but the rest looked like every man and his dog had sat in it.
Lexus were / are notorious for non prep, BMW weren't too bad back in the day but all seem to be slipping into the same pattern.
No history on the idrive.
Someone bought it.
My favourite was a Lexus where despite advance notification on arrival the Lexus 2.9% finance stickers had obviously been hastily removed but the rest looked like every man and his dog had sat in it.
Lexus were / are notorious for non prep, BMW weren't too bad back in the day but all seem to be slipping into the same pattern.
I was looking on Autotrader earlier and saw a used car where they clearly hadn't even given it a wash. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't in a complete state, but it was in the sort of condition where you would announce "Oh, I've not hoovered it for a while so it's a bit messy" if you were about to give someone a lift.
For me it's not a deal-breaker because I understand that being anal about people eating in your car or having mud on their shoes is totally different to mechanical sympathy and proper servicing, but if I had a choice of two otherwise identical cars and one will need me to spend a weekend valeting it before it feels like I haven't borrowed someone else's dirty car, then mentally I'm going to find it harder to part with the same amount of money for it.
(I've looked at a lot of cars today so I can't remember which, but I think it was either a BMW 550, 750 or 760 if anyone else finds it!)
For me it's not a deal-breaker because I understand that being anal about people eating in your car or having mud on their shoes is totally different to mechanical sympathy and proper servicing, but if I had a choice of two otherwise identical cars and one will need me to spend a weekend valeting it before it feels like I haven't borrowed someone else's dirty car, then mentally I'm going to find it harder to part with the same amount of money for it.
(I've looked at a lot of cars today so I can't remember which, but I think it was either a BMW 550, 750 or 760 if anyone else finds it!)
With the state of the market, i got the impression from some dealers that anything will sell. Good excuse to cut some corners maybe?
When my Mrs was after her car, one salesman got the hump when she she said "Its disgusting in here". She said that because it was, the interior was scratched, the seats worn to buggery and it stank of wet dog.
His reply, "What do you expect, it's a used car".
£35k on a car, she expected a f
k load more than that.
When my Mrs was after her car, one salesman got the hump when she she said "Its disgusting in here". She said that because it was, the interior was scratched, the seats worn to buggery and it stank of wet dog.
His reply, "What do you expect, it's a used car".
£35k on a car, she expected a f
k load more than that.I feel your pain but not to the same level of disgust. We bought an 18 plate mini last month, traveled from Aberdeen to Dundee and when we got there it was dirty, not to the same level as yours but it was on the forecourt so I expected it to be in the best possible, sellable condition. Just before we left, I was looking at the exterior and noted a fair panel gap around one headlight but not the other, noted it to the salesman and he said that when the car is sold and prepped, it would then be paid attention. So mini are saying the same thing that only once sold Will the car be prepped whereas I would have thought they’d want it to be the best possible condition when it’s sat on the forecourt.
mazdajason said:
I feel your pain but not to the same level of disgust. We bought an 18 plate mini last month, traveled from Aberdeen to Dundee and when we got there it was dirty, not to the same level as yours but it was on the forecourt so I expected it to be in the best possible, sellable condition. Just before we left, I was looking at the exterior and noted a fair panel gap around one headlight but not the other, noted it to the salesman and he said that when the car is sold and prepped, it would then be paid attention. So mini are saying the same thing that only once sold Will the car be prepped whereas I would have thought they’d want it to be the best possible condition when it’s sat on the forecourt.
It means that if you don't notice "it", they don't have to repair "it", whatever "it" is.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff