Buying “unseen” retail car
Discussion
I am currently considering buying a car “unseen” from an independent dealership
Am i “better protected” this way than actually kicking the tyres in person?
(I do know my way around a car)
I can get a good specialist to look it over on their premises, after purchasing rather than the AA or equivalent at the dealers.
I’m assuming I could then send it back or reject it found to be a dog/accident damaged etc within 30 days ?
Looking at paying cash as no visible pcp inducement’s and rather a personal loan at 6% rather than dealers 12%, so no help from a finance company if things go bad.
Budget 25-28k, looking at less than 3 years old so also balance of manufactures warranty.
Am i “better protected” this way than actually kicking the tyres in person?
(I do know my way around a car)
I can get a good specialist to look it over on their premises, after purchasing rather than the AA or equivalent at the dealers.
I’m assuming I could then send it back or reject it found to be a dog/accident damaged etc within 30 days ?
Looking at paying cash as no visible pcp inducement’s and rather a personal loan at 6% rather than dealers 12%, so no help from a finance company if things go bad.
Budget 25-28k, looking at less than 3 years old so also balance of manufactures warranty.
We did this last year, and had some peace of mind from a friendly local PHer who went to view the car for us (just to check it wasn’t aesthetically disastrous etc). Car was 300 miles away or something, so couldn’t do it ourselves…
Car was bought, we paid for delivery and (touch wood) it’s been fine so far.
Car was bought, we paid for delivery and (touch wood) it’s been fine so far.
blue al said:
I’m assuming I could then send it back or reject it found to be a dog/accident damaged etc within 30 days ?
.
You could, but this is not a process without stress, no matter what anyone tells you. .
Also, if it’s an independent, actually getting your money (even if you’re entitled to it) may be troublesome.
Personally, I have and would again buy a manufacturer AUC without seeing it in the metal. Independent? Unless high end specialist with a good reputation, I’d need to go and see it/them.
I don't know if it's a smart idea, but I just helped my daughter buy a Volvo unseen from a garage 250 miles away. She paid a little extra though to buy a "Volvo Selekt" car from a main dealer. Hopefully the extra protection that gives will be enough and the ability to take it to a more local main dealer if something goes wrong. I don't think I'd risk it with a stand alone independent.
Did this 2 years ago.
30k car, unseen but was the only one of the type i wanted. Had not even had a test drive in anything similar.
Garage dropped it off. Fixed a weird electrical issue thay appeared 2 weeks after delivery (sat nav thought i was 50.miles west than my location) ans had a 30 day no question asked return policy.
They sent me full video of the car and changed the tyres when requested.
Still.have the car and would do it again.
30k car, unseen but was the only one of the type i wanted. Had not even had a test drive in anything similar.
Garage dropped it off. Fixed a weird electrical issue thay appeared 2 weeks after delivery (sat nav thought i was 50.miles west than my location) ans had a 30 day no question asked return policy.
They sent me full video of the car and changed the tyres when requested.
Still.have the car and would do it again.
have purchased 2 minis unseen before but both via mini dealers one ex demo F56 SD,
6 months old 1k miles, all good
One less than 3k, but 6 years old ( r59 Jcw long story) cheap but not as smooth experience…..
Both came with a years “warranty “ no real issues with either.
My current concern is it’s for the wife, who will be over the moon until it’s broken then it will be my fault for not checking the car
6 months old 1k miles, all good
One less than 3k, but 6 years old ( r59 Jcw long story) cheap but not as smooth experience…..
Both came with a years “warranty “ no real issues with either.
My current concern is it’s for the wife, who will be over the moon until it’s broken then it will be my fault for not checking the car
AHarrison said:
loskie said:
and if you get someone to look at it on your behalf at the garage you will not be covered under distance selling regs
However, there's no reason the garage need know the 'examiner' is working on the OP's behalf;)And if as you say is that entirely honest? When you would expect the garage to treat you honestly. It should work both ways.
fflump said:
Re distance selling I think you are getting confused between your rights if the item is faulty and your right to change your mind regardless of whether the item is faulty. It is the latter that applies to distance selling in addition to your other statutory rights
No I’m not confused at all, I see many posts here where you have to give the retailer a opportunity or 2 or 3 to rectify any issue, Normally this seems to end badly for the consumer.I’m far happier to be able to walk away from a deal if it transpires its is not all that it seems….even if it is using the cloak of distance selling, rather than asking them or the warranty’ company to rectify an issue.
This may seem disingenuous to the trade, but I’m not looking for a 2 week rental, but a car for her indoors for 5 years plus.
I've bought a number of cars from dealers hundreds of miles away. I ask the dealer a lot of questions and hope the car is as described. I've still turned up to find cars in poor condition and with obvious mechanical faults. It is frustrating they know how far I'm travelling and still don't make sure the car is as described and inspected for faults.
I always pay a deposit on my credit card to give me some protection.
If you do uncover repairs from previous accident damage that won't be enough to reject the car. Dealers are very unlikely to say the car has never had a repair.
I always pay a deposit on my credit card to give me some protection.
If you do uncover repairs from previous accident damage that won't be enough to reject the car. Dealers are very unlikely to say the car has never had a repair.
In short, if it’s a distance sale you have the right to return within 14 days for any reason you like. It may be the biggest pile of turd ever or maybe your dog does not like the colour of the seats. Either way you can return it as it’s a distance sale.
In this case most dealers will refund you, maybe take a reduction for any mileage you have done and maybe charge you the delivery and collection costs but ultimately you can return it and get a full refund.
What you are asking to do is inspect the car at your local garage. This is fine but you are liable for this cost and I would not expect the seller to cover any repairs unless they were genuine faults, not something like 50% worn brakes etc.
Depending on the seller maybe tell them your intention is an inspection before payment and they will hold off taxing and transferring ownership. We have delivered cars on the understanding the customers local garage wants to inspect them prior to payment and have never had a problem.
In this case most dealers will refund you, maybe take a reduction for any mileage you have done and maybe charge you the delivery and collection costs but ultimately you can return it and get a full refund.
What you are asking to do is inspect the car at your local garage. This is fine but you are liable for this cost and I would not expect the seller to cover any repairs unless they were genuine faults, not something like 50% worn brakes etc.
Depending on the seller maybe tell them your intention is an inspection before payment and they will hold off taxing and transferring ownership. We have delivered cars on the understanding the customers local garage wants to inspect them prior to payment and have never had a problem.
I recently bought a 2019 Fiesta ST unseen from a Vauxhall main dealer 150 miles away under their Approved Used scheme, it was the spec I wanted and a good price, they delivered it for free.
The salesman walked me round it via video and noticed a few stone chips and a bit of kerbing on a front alloy, it was actually a bit worse than I was expecting but overall very happy with the car and the price I paid so no reason to complain.
It's had an airbag light come on which seems to be covered by the RAC Warranty it came with and the salesman has been helpful finding a local to me RAC Approved garage to save me taking it back to them.
I would do the same again for an ordinary car from a main dealer, wouldn't for something more specialist from an independent.
The salesman walked me round it via video and noticed a few stone chips and a bit of kerbing on a front alloy, it was actually a bit worse than I was expecting but overall very happy with the car and the price I paid so no reason to complain.
It's had an airbag light come on which seems to be covered by the RAC Warranty it came with and the salesman has been helpful finding a local to me RAC Approved garage to save me taking it back to them.
I would do the same again for an ordinary car from a main dealer, wouldn't for something more specialist from an independent.
blue al said:
fflump said:
Re distance selling I think you are getting confused between your rights if the item is faulty and your right to change your mind regardless of whether the item is faulty. It is the latter that applies to distance selling in addition to your other statutory rights
No I’m not confused at all, I see many posts here where you have to give the retailer a opportunity or 2 or 3 to rectify any issue, Normally this seems to end badly for the consumer.I’m far happier to be able to walk away from a deal if it transpires its is not all that it seems….even if it is using the cloak of distance selling, rather than asking them or the warranty’ company to rectify an issue.
This may seem disingenuous to the trade, but I’m not looking for a 2 week rental, but a car for her indoors for 5 years plus.
andburg said:
If I were spending £25k I’d not be chancing a car I’ve never seen at distance unless it was really unusual.
Face it, if there was a fault the dealer would be within their rights to have you bring it back to them for repair.
Would depend on the dealer for me but even then its a risk.Face it, if there was a fault the dealer would be within their rights to have you bring it back to them for repair.
Once they've got your cash they're going to behave differently towards you no matter how conscientious they are.
It's a question of how far away is the car vs. your time vs. potential problems. My caveat would be that if the car is that far away, how are you going to get the dealer to rectify any issues? Technically you need to give them the chance to resolve matters and that involves you getting it to them, and not them picking it up.
Location is 1.5 hours away around 90 miles, so not exactly local
Any issues with body work wheels etc we would see on collection day.
It’s more a case of needing a 4post lift and checking the tracking etc which I could not do on a previous visit/check
Only 10 cars available this year/spec so not a case like a Yaris gr with 100 to choose from at any time on sale
Any issues with body work wheels etc we would see on collection day.
It’s more a case of needing a 4post lift and checking the tracking etc which I could not do on a previous visit/check
Only 10 cars available this year/spec so not a case like a Yaris gr with 100 to choose from at any time on sale
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