Buying a car in lockdown
Discussion
Anyone had any experience buying a car in lockdown yet? I’m particularly curious if anyone has done a part-ex and the challenges posed by doing the transaction remotely without you physically seeing the car or the dealer physically seeing your car? Can transactions even happen that have a part-ex?
Happy new year
Drl22 said:
Why don’t you ring the dealer with the car you are interested in a see how they propose doing it?
Most dealers are working from home and are contactable either by phone or E-Mail,Seem to be relying on detailed video's ,not sure were it goes from there, I suppose a deposit subject to viewing when ever
that will be permitted, If brave and the dealer in question is reputable and the car is late and low mileage you could pay in full but
then how would you arrange collection,
Most workshops are open as per normal as deemed essential so maybe something could be arranged via them..
When buying a car as a private buyer without physically attending the dealer premises, the dealer is then tied to distance selling regulations which provide far more cover than usual.
Fundamentally 14 days no quibble full money back return.
https://www.themotorombudsman.org/distance-sales-f...
Fundamentally 14 days no quibble full money back return.
https://www.themotorombudsman.org/distance-sales-f...
I purchased a car back in November, travelling restrictions were a bit more relaxed than now & the sale included a PX.
The dealer sent me a video of their car & I placed a holding deposit. The dealer offered a PX price on my car.
I travelled to the dealer, inspected the new car and they looked over mine, all was fine and deal was finalised a week later. The new car was delivered by a transporter and the old car was taken the other way.
I must admit, it could’ve been a better buying experience, but I knew it was the right car for me and that’s all that matters.
The dealer sent me a video of their car & I placed a holding deposit. The dealer offered a PX price on my car.
I travelled to the dealer, inspected the new car and they looked over mine, all was fine and deal was finalised a week later. The new car was delivered by a transporter and the old car was taken the other way.
I must admit, it could’ve been a better buying experience, but I knew it was the right car for me and that’s all that matters.
Not done it in lock down but buying over the Internet is easy.
Bought a few cars and 1 motorbike this way when the best deal has been several hundred miles away.
Some decent quality photos of your vehicle and highlight any obvious issues like scrapes or alloy wheel rash. Tell them all the basics service history and so on and agree the deal.
Tbh none of the dealers even bothered to spend more than 30 seconds checking out my part ex. Their attitude was yup its pretty much what you said so here is your new shiny car sir, just a few bits of paper to sign first.
The motorbike, they delivered the new one to my home (260 miles) in a van and picked up the part ex at the same time again he didn't check it other than making sure it started as he didn't want to push it up the ramp into the van....too much hard work!
Just contact the dealer tell him what your thinking and away you go. My only caveat being that all 3 of my purchases were for new vehicles so not quite the same as buying a used vehicle . If buying used I would HAVE TO INSPECT it myself first.
Bought a few cars and 1 motorbike this way when the best deal has been several hundred miles away.
Some decent quality photos of your vehicle and highlight any obvious issues like scrapes or alloy wheel rash. Tell them all the basics service history and so on and agree the deal.
Tbh none of the dealers even bothered to spend more than 30 seconds checking out my part ex. Their attitude was yup its pretty much what you said so here is your new shiny car sir, just a few bits of paper to sign first.
The motorbike, they delivered the new one to my home (260 miles) in a van and picked up the part ex at the same time again he didn't check it other than making sure it started as he didn't want to push it up the ramp into the van....too much hard work!
Just contact the dealer tell him what your thinking and away you go. My only caveat being that all 3 of my purchases were for new vehicles so not quite the same as buying a used vehicle . If buying used I would HAVE TO INSPECT it myself first.
JayP1 said:
Anyone had any experience buying a car in lockdown yet? I’m particularly curious if anyone has done a part-ex and the challenges posed by doing the transaction remotely without you physically seeing the car or the dealer physically seeing your car? Can transactions even happen that have a part-ex?
Happy new year
Not quite a supercar but I bought an SL a couple of weeks back, all remotely done as you couldn’t view. Video looked great.Happy new year
Got to main dealer(bmw) selling it, car was a dog, different colours of white either side, fuel filler misshaped, paint on seals, wing bolts missing.
Refund back in bank. If you can then I’d wait as prices will soften.
bennno said:
Not quite a supercar but I bought an SL a couple of weeks back, all remotely done as you couldn’t view. Video looked great.
Got to main dealer(bmw) selling it, car was a dog, different colours of white either side, fuel filler misshaped, paint on seals, wing bolts missing.
Refund back in bank. If you can then I’d wait as prices will soften.
That would be my dread - thankfully you got your refund. Got to main dealer(bmw) selling it, car was a dog, different colours of white either side, fuel filler misshaped, paint on seals, wing bolts missing.
Refund back in bank. If you can then I’d wait as prices will soften.
In my mind I was thinking buy over internet and agree value for part-ex and then have car delivered and send part-ex back, but it sounds like it might be a leap of faith with potential to go wrong
JayP1 said:
That would be my dread - thankfully you got your refund.
In my mind I was thinking buy over internet and agree value for part-ex and then have car delivered and send part-ex back, but it sounds like it might be a leap of faith with potential to go wrong
It’s much more hit and miss than taking a look, by comparison I agreed a price on a newer SL privately, we got there a it was perfect, so paid.In my mind I was thinking buy over internet and agree value for part-ex and then have car delivered and send part-ex back, but it sounds like it might be a leap of faith with potential to go wrong
We did the same on a Volvo estate from a main dealer and again it was perfect.
Prices all over place at moment, real scarcity of supply and buyers making for odd dynamic.
I bought a car from an OPC in the November lockdown, albeit not a Porsche (BMW M2) and without a p/x as I sold my car privately. The experience was absolutely fine, they sent me a walk around video that focused on a number of aspects I enquired upon (e.g. tyre wear, paintwork), and they also highlighted a few things they weren't happy with.
They agreed to rectify all of the issues (along with a minor imperfection I spotted from the video) and so I paid a deposit. They wouldn't budge on price but it was very competitively priced anyway, as it wasn't a Porsche and they were obviously keen to move it on.
I then had to pay the balance in advance of collection, all having never seen or driven the car as it was a fair schlep away from me. But their proactive approach to rectifying issues meant I felt relatively comfortable and the car is still under warranty.
The handover process was relatively swift and painless. Agreed a time, inspected the car, filled out some forms, was given a brief walk-through of the car outside, and then I was away. I then found the reverse camera was missing when I got home(!) but they got that sorted for me quickly by a BMW dealer in their network.
So in my experience, it was relatively straightforward and painless, and worked out absolutely fine. But it won't be for everyone. I think if you're buying something fairly new-ish, and from a reputable dealer, and your expectations aren't unreasonable, there's not too much that can go wrong. In some respects, it was preferable to have minimal time dealing with a salesperson!
They agreed to rectify all of the issues (along with a minor imperfection I spotted from the video) and so I paid a deposit. They wouldn't budge on price but it was very competitively priced anyway, as it wasn't a Porsche and they were obviously keen to move it on.
I then had to pay the balance in advance of collection, all having never seen or driven the car as it was a fair schlep away from me. But their proactive approach to rectifying issues meant I felt relatively comfortable and the car is still under warranty.
The handover process was relatively swift and painless. Agreed a time, inspected the car, filled out some forms, was given a brief walk-through of the car outside, and then I was away. I then found the reverse camera was missing when I got home(!) but they got that sorted for me quickly by a BMW dealer in their network.
So in my experience, it was relatively straightforward and painless, and worked out absolutely fine. But it won't be for everyone. I think if you're buying something fairly new-ish, and from a reputable dealer, and your expectations aren't unreasonable, there's not too much that can go wrong. In some respects, it was preferable to have minimal time dealing with a salesperson!
Some decent deals to be done remotely if you can take that 'leap of faith'
I think the bottom line is if it's a new or very nearly car then it's not really an issue to buy during lockdown even with a part ex.
If your looking at something that is a used car then you really need to view it in person though that doesn't stop you sorting out a deal first Inc the part ex figures all subject to you being happy with the purchase on inspection.
I think the bottom line is if it's a new or very nearly car then it's not really an issue to buy during lockdown even with a part ex.
If your looking at something that is a used car then you really need to view it in person though that doesn't stop you sorting out a deal first Inc the part ex figures all subject to you being happy with the purchase on inspection.
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