Car buying red flags
Discussion
So I am realising that I haven't bought a car for about 6 years, and haven't bought a car that wasn't from a main dealer for close to 15 years. In my defence I have only bought 2 cars in that time!
I went to look at a car today and a couple of things are niggling me. Part of me wants to think they are non-issues and I am just seeing problems where they don't exist. The other part of me doesn't want any hassle if there is an issue down the line. Would you see either of these as red flag... for whats its worth the chap I spoke to was nothing but nice, professional and seemed genuine.
- The dealer sells a range of cars, including some really quite high end stuff. But operates out of his home.
- The dealer will not accept a credit card payment for a deposit (debit card ony) as previous customers have tried some "funny things"
- He did not let me take the car for a test drive (this was not a super high end car)
Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
I went to look at a car today and a couple of things are niggling me. Part of me wants to think they are non-issues and I am just seeing problems where they don't exist. The other part of me doesn't want any hassle if there is an issue down the line. Would you see either of these as red flag... for whats its worth the chap I spoke to was nothing but nice, professional and seemed genuine.
- The dealer sells a range of cars, including some really quite high end stuff. But operates out of his home.
- The dealer will not accept a credit card payment for a deposit (debit card ony) as previous customers have tried some "funny things"
- He did not let me take the car for a test drive (this was not a super high end car)
Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
Regarding the test drive - he said he would do a test drive once the deal had been agreed, so it wasn't an outright no - I get the impression he wanted to be sure he had a sale. I've never driven any example of the car in question, so didn't want to feel I had to agree to buy the car in order to test it.
I'd understand that from a private seller, but less so for a dealer i guess.
I'd understand that from a private seller, but less so for a dealer i guess.
jimmy156 said:
So I am realising that I haven't bought a car for about 6 years, and haven't bought a car that wasn't from a main dealer for close to 15 years. In my defence I have only bought 2 cars in that time!
I went to look at a car today and a couple of things are niggling me. Part of me wants to think they are non-issues and I am just seeing problems where they don't exist. The other part of me doesn't want any hassle if there is an issue down the line. Would you see either of these as red flag... for whats its worth the chap I spoke to was nothing but nice, professional and seemed genuine.
- The dealer sells a range of cars, including some really quite high end stuff. But operates out of his home.
- The dealer will not accept a credit card payment for a deposit (debit card ony) as previous customers have tried some "funny things"
- He did not let me take the car for a test drive (this was not a super high end car)
Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
1. he's buying knackered stock from BCA to sell from his driveway to avoid CRA obligations. Or buying undeclared crash repairs.I went to look at a car today and a couple of things are niggling me. Part of me wants to think they are non-issues and I am just seeing problems where they don't exist. The other part of me doesn't want any hassle if there is an issue down the line. Would you see either of these as red flag... for whats its worth the chap I spoke to was nothing but nice, professional and seemed genuine.
- The dealer sells a range of cars, including some really quite high end stuff. But operates out of his home.
- The dealer will not accept a credit card payment for a deposit (debit card ony) as previous customers have tried some "funny things"
- He did not let me take the car for a test drive (this was not a super high end car)
Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
2. because they are knackered and the EML will come on when you're halfway back home on the M1 and he won't be fixing them now he's got your money, so no opportunity to do a charge-back.
3. because it's knackered and will drive itself round in circles when you let go of the wheel.
jimmy156 said:
- The dealer will not accept a credit card payment for a deposit (debit card ony) as previous customers have tried some "funny things"
Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
Huge red flag, don't entertain this dealer.Genuine red flags, or am I just seeing problems that aren't problems?
Previous customers tried some funny things?? More like they had issues with a car that the dealer refused to sort, and they got onto their credit card who stepped in to help.
jimmy156 said:
Regarding the test drive - he said he would do a test drive once the deal had been agreed, so it wasn't an outright no - I get the impression he wanted to be sure he had a sale. I've never driven any example of the car in question, so didn't want to feel I had to agree to buy the car in order to test it.
I'd understand that from a private seller, but less so for a dealer i guess.
I kind of understand that position from a smaller dealer, If you want to see whether you like that make and model, it's probably better to inconvenience a larger dealer.I'd understand that from a private seller, but less so for a dealer i guess.
Not taking credit cards is becoming more common for dealers as chargebacks become the same.
If you’re a one man band dealer, people test driving cars is a pain when they’re not ready to buy as it costs you fuel, the car gets dirty and you have to fanny around recleaning it for the next person which obviously takes valuable time.
Hopefully the money he saves working from home he puts towards ensuring the cars he sells are of a good standard but who knows, you have to trust your gut. Obviously if a test drive is still not possible when you’re ready to buy it’s a hard no.
If you’re a one man band dealer, people test driving cars is a pain when they’re not ready to buy as it costs you fuel, the car gets dirty and you have to fanny around recleaning it for the next person which obviously takes valuable time.
Hopefully the money he saves working from home he puts towards ensuring the cars he sells are of a good standard but who knows, you have to trust your gut. Obviously if a test drive is still not possible when you’re ready to buy it’s a hard no.
I nearly bought a car from a similar dealer (operating out of his house). I didn't have a problem with that, he had a company registered with no problems and good reviews.
Refusal to accept credit cards I understand: main dealers refuse to accept because of the chargeback/dispute process and whilst car dealers can be bad so can the public. If you are small dealer with a lot of cash tied up in stock one unfair chargeback could be financially crippling.
No test drive however, I wouldn't accept. But he might have not felt you serious enough to try to conclude the sale. Depending on the model there's probably enough buyers so he can use his judgement to pre-qualify.
As for comments on cars being accident damaged or BCA auction etc. The simple solution to this is to get a proper history report and have the car independently inspected prior to purchase. People don't do this and then complain that the car is no good.
However, if you are expecting a warranty or any after sales support then I wouldn't proceed. Although you can always organize your own warranty.
Refusal to accept credit cards I understand: main dealers refuse to accept because of the chargeback/dispute process and whilst car dealers can be bad so can the public. If you are small dealer with a lot of cash tied up in stock one unfair chargeback could be financially crippling.
No test drive however, I wouldn't accept. But he might have not felt you serious enough to try to conclude the sale. Depending on the model there's probably enough buyers so he can use his judgement to pre-qualify.
As for comments on cars being accident damaged or BCA auction etc. The simple solution to this is to get a proper history report and have the car independently inspected prior to purchase. People don't do this and then complain that the car is no good.
However, if you are expecting a warranty or any after sales support then I wouldn't proceed. Although you can always organize your own warranty.
sneezer212 said:
As for comments on cars being accident damaged or BCA auction etc. The simple solution to this is to get a proper history report and have the car independently inspected prior to purchase. People don't do this and then complain that the car is no good.
An undeclared crash repair is not going to be listed in any "proper history report" and indepedent inspections are not worth the paper they're written on once you peruse the fine print where you will find every inspection point has a lengthy exception clause absolving them of any liability. ie. it's about as useful as sending your car under the car to give you a list of things needing attention.I ask this as a genuine question and not aimed at insinuating anything about you...
Where you a serious buyer? ie was it a confirmed appointment and you asking the 'right' questions to a dealer that would suggest you were?
Some small dealer (for the reasons above) clam up when they think someone is just mildly interested or 'just looking'
You may have been labelled in their mind as a messer or someone not ready to buy. Thats the thing with smaller dealers who do everything.
Larger places with salespeople aren't too arsed as they'll have a team to prep, take payement etc with losses/costs covered in their pricing.
On another point from above re crashes....
A friend and customer of mine was looking to buy a LR Discovery 130. 72 plate, one owner at main dealer. He'd left a deposit and paid me to inspect it just to be sure
The bonnet had been painted, the OSF front wing too along with a replaced door skin on OSF door, poorly blended into rear door.
All four wheels had a poorly done 'refurb' of their machine cut finish and a s
t smart repair on NSR quarter. £70k
No matter who's selling, if buying/inspecting isn't your strong point then have someone check it for you
Where you a serious buyer? ie was it a confirmed appointment and you asking the 'right' questions to a dealer that would suggest you were?
Some small dealer (for the reasons above) clam up when they think someone is just mildly interested or 'just looking'
You may have been labelled in their mind as a messer or someone not ready to buy. Thats the thing with smaller dealers who do everything.
Larger places with salespeople aren't too arsed as they'll have a team to prep, take payement etc with losses/costs covered in their pricing.
On another point from above re crashes....
A friend and customer of mine was looking to buy a LR Discovery 130. 72 plate, one owner at main dealer. He'd left a deposit and paid me to inspect it just to be sure
The bonnet had been painted, the OSF front wing too along with a replaced door skin on OSF door, poorly blended into rear door.
All four wheels had a poorly done 'refurb' of their machine cut finish and a s
t smart repair on NSR quarter. £70kNo matter who's selling, if buying/inspecting isn't your strong point then have someone check it for you
Edited by Dog Biscuit on Thursday 9th July 06:48
I have to admit when I saw the thread title I thought this was going to be about subtle things like no name tyres or kwikfit service history. I’d run a mile from this.
It’s funny about the test drive thing. It would be an absolute show stopper for me but it seems most people aren’t actually all bothered about a test drive, even some car people. Hard for me to understand.
It’s funny about the test drive thing. It would be an absolute show stopper for me but it seems most people aren’t actually all bothered about a test drive, even some car people. Hard for me to understand.
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