Main dealers, why?

[macdeb]

I keep my eye on Astons in case I may return at some point. But, WHY do some main dealers still advertise cars with obvious faults? There is a nice looking skyfall silver V12S advert from a main dealer on PH and it's so bleedin' obvious there is substantial condensation in rear lenses. Seems they still rely on the 'timeless' warranty picking up the tab at the expense of the buyers wasted time. Leads me to wonder what else they are hiding? (mine from a main dealer for those that don't know was delivered with big ends knocking) In my eyes there is no excuse for this to happen and I still say that the selling dealer should NOT be doing their own inspection on cars for sale and I'd wager they chipped the seller because of the lenses.

[Jon39]

That all sounds perfectly conventional practice in this line of business.
There is a training course that must be attended by all dealer employees, to ensure that they adhere to the required standards.
You might recognise a couple of the course tutors.








You mentioned big ends knocking. That would probably be one of Swiss Toni's specialities. -

[Simpo Two]

macdeb said:

I keep my eye on Astons in case I may return at some point. But, WHY do some main dealers still advertise cars with obvious faults? There is a nice looking skyfall silver V12S advert from a main dealer on PH and it's so bleedin' obvious there is substantial condensation in rear lenses. Seems they still rely on the 'timeless' warranty picking up the tab at the expense of the buyers wasted time. Leads me to wonder what else they are hiding? (mine from a main dealer for those that don't know was delivered with big ends knocking) In my eyes there is no excuse for this to happen and I still say that the selling dealer should NOT be doing their own inspection on cars for sale and I'd wager they chipped the seller because of the lenses.

'We just washed it' is the usual get-out.

Of the various cars I've bought over the years, the ones from private sellers have been better than ones from dealers. Dealer cars invariably had a problem that appeared shortly after purchase. My theory is that when owners become aware their car has an expensive issue, rather than risk a private buyer discovering it on a test drive, they simply p/ex it. So the dealer gets the problem, and in the case of Aston rear lights he can either pay £2K for new ones - but dealers hate spending money, so they send the units to monkeyman in Guildford for a bodge that will last long enough to get it sold.

[turboman786]

Its a fair point...cars should not have any "obvious" fault or any fault really if "approved"

However Im sure if you pointed out sonething as obvious as condensation in lights itd be replaced without much quibble. But I take your point ......why should you have to spot a fault/ a fault be present !

[macdeb]

Jon39 said:

That all sounds perfectly conventional practice in this line of business.
There is a training course that must be attended by all dealer employees, to ensure that they adhere to the required standards.
You might recognise a couple of the course tutors.








You mentioned big ends knocking. That would probably be one of Swiss Toni's specialities. -

[AdamV12V]

Pretty obvious really - Why would a business to pay out of their own profits to fix a problem that can be fixed later out of a another businesses profits (ie. the warranty company). Indeed they can more than likely do the work themselves then and charge the warranty company for the labour.

Been posted before but it does not pay the business who sells a warranty with a car to be diligent in the pre-warranty checks as anything picked up then needs to be fixed at their cost.

[macdeb]

AdamV12V said:

Pretty obvious really - Why would a business to pay out of their own profits to fix a problem that can be fixed later out of a another businesses profits (ie. the warranty company). Indeed they can more than likely do the work themselves then and charge the warranty company for the labour.

Been posted before but it does not pay the business who sells a warranty with a car to be diligent in the pre-warranty checks as anything picked up then needs to be fixed at their cost.

Makes the MD inspection of no value then and buyer be even more aware. The cars are sold as being inspected and a 140 point check that nothing is wrong when clearly they sell cars with no such inspection therefore they are lying from the start. Just because the 'timeless' warranty may pay for repairs if I were the company supplying the warranty I would want to know why so many critical and expensive repairs are needed shortly after sale. I know from experience and it wasn't a good one but fortunately for me AML Gaydon went above and beyond to help me.
It's not right and I would no longer buy from an Aston main dealer preferring private or specialist but with a 'proper' inspection being carried out.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 09:14

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 11:27

[M1AGM]

Perhaps Aston Martin need to change their marketing for the timeless product:

“When you purchase a Timeless car, it naturally comes with the unmatched confidence that your Aston Martin has been carefully curated to look and perform to showroom standard by highly skilled Aston Martin technicians”

https://preowned.astonmartin.com/en_us/about-timel...

Although to be fair, ‘showroom standard’ is open to very wide interpretation as I discovered when I bought the DB11 in October. Showroom standard seems to mean washed and valeted.

[SHIFTY]

When I purchased my Vanquish from a main AM dealer I had an independent inspection which resulted in 4 new dampers as they were leaking and a timing cover oil leak.

Obviously all sorted under Timeless Warranty at a cost of £8K.

You can reject any purchase within 28 days under the consumer rights law, I would recommend anyone purchasing a second hand AM car to get a independent inspection within this time period.

To add my Timeless inspection also failed to notice that the car was a soft top and not a coupe as indicated on the Timeless report, makes you wonder if they even check the car out.

[Simpo Two]

AdamV12V said:

Pretty obvious really - Why would a business to pay out of their own profits to fix a problem that can be fixed later out of a another businesses profits (ie. the warranty company). Indeed they can more than likely do the work themselves then and charge the warranty company for the labour

I only discovered only last week that the dealer who had my alloys refurbed before sale only got the outsides done - the insides are in an awful state. Penny pinching to say the least.

[Jon39]

M1AGM said:

Perhaps Aston Martin need to change their marketing for the timeless product:

Before using the name 'Timeless' for selling second hand cars, Aston Martin had 'Certified Pre-owned'.
Than name had humorous connotations, because it contained ambiguity.

One of several possible meanings being;

Certified Pre-owned; definition 1 - we can prove this is a used car.
Quite an obvious pointless remark, when attempting to sell a second hand car.

What impression are they trying to convey, by now using the word Timeless?
Might it refer to the design of the particular car for sale?
It cannot refer to the duration of the used car warranty, because that is clearly not timeless.

[AdamV12V]

macdeb said:

AdamV12V said:

Pretty obvious really - Why would a business to pay out of their own profits to fix a problem that can be fixed later out of a another businesses profits (ie. the warranty company). Indeed they can more than likely do the work themselves then and charge the warranty company for the labour.

Been posted before but it does not pay the business who sells a warranty with a car to be diligent in the pre-warranty checks as anything picked up then needs to be fixed at their cost.

Makes the MD inspection of no value then and buyer be even more aware. The cars are sold as being inspected and a 140 point check that nothing is wrong when clearly they sell cars with no such inspection therefore they are lying from the start. Just because the 'timeless' warranty may pay for repairs if I were the company supplying the warranty I would want to know why so many critical and expensive repairs are needed shortly after sale. I know from experience and it wasn't a good one but fortunately for me AML Gaydon went above and beyond to help me.
It's not right and I would no longer buy from an Aston main dealer preferring private or specialist but with a 'proper' inspection being carried out.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 09:14

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 11:27

It no different to any other brand on used cars, extended warranties are always 3rd party companies these days, not the factory. Same for independents too so not sure why you are singling out MD's. Plenty of Indi's selling sub-standard cars too. Just a sign of the times, that everyone wants everything for the minimum cost possible.

[macdeb]

AdamV12V said:

macdeb said:

AdamV12V said:

Pretty obvious really - Why would a business to pay out of their own profits to fix a problem that can be fixed later out of a another businesses profits (ie. the warranty company). Indeed they can more than likely do the work themselves then and charge the warranty company for the labour.

Been posted before but it does not pay the business who sells a warranty with a car to be diligent in the pre-warranty checks as anything picked up then needs to be fixed at their cost.

Makes the MD inspection of no value then and buyer be even more aware. The cars are sold as being inspected and a 140 point check that nothing is wrong when clearly they sell cars with no such inspection therefore they are lying from the start. Just because the 'timeless' warranty may pay for repairs if I were the company supplying the warranty I would want to know why so many critical and expensive repairs are needed shortly after sale. I know from experience and it wasn't a good one but fortunately for me AML Gaydon went above and beyond to help me.
It's not right and I would no longer buy from an Aston main dealer preferring private or specialist but with a 'proper' inspection being carried out.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 09:14

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 11:27

It no different to any other brand on used cars, extended warranties are always 3rd party companies these days, not the factory. Same for independents too so not sure why you are singling out MD's. Plenty of Indi's selling sub-standard cars too. Just a sign of the times, that everyone wants everything for the minimum cost possible.

Just because they are all doing it as a sign of the times, does not make it right. The Main Dealers boast of a 140 point inspection cleared prior to sale when they are not, we are being conned and should expect more from Main Dealers than some forecourt at the end of the road as they are representing Aston Martin the brand and not in a good way.
ETA; I pushed my budget at the time for the best I could afford thinking a main dealer was best, how wrong I was. Many others may do the same.

Edited by macdeb on Tuesday 2nd April 18:50

[AstonKeeper]

But hey if it keeps us Indies in business doing pre purchase inspections, then great... 🙈

[MMarkM]

I've bought 4 pre-owned from main dealers, never had a single issue. Always sent the cars to Trinity for a check over, and anyone who has taken a car there will know their attention for detail. Only 2 had minor issues. MD sorted quickly with no issues. I wouldn't expect any AML dealer or indy to carry out an inspection to the level that trinity do.

The above being said, if I'd an issue like the OP it probably would put me off.