anyone been lied to by a used car dealer?
Discussion
tdm34 said:
Had a lovely lady in today looking at a 63 plate Astra that we've got it on sale for £9999, her swapper was a 58 plate Golf Match TDi with 81k on it, and whilst talking to her before the appraisal she mentioned that the MOT was renewed last week, it according to her had flown through with no advisories!...
So a thorough walk round then an interior check and a little blat up the road just to check it out, during the test drive I do my usual test of letting the car slow down in gear with the clutch up then give it a boot full, the smoke out of the back resembled a low pass by the Red Arrows!!, and the turbo was whistling like a canary on speed!
IN we come and we get ready to test drive the Astra, but I have a niggle at the back of my mind about the MOT so as we have the V5 I asked out MOT tech to check it out (she had conveniently left it at home) after the Astra test drive I take the trade plates back to the key room, and pop into the MOT bay that's next to it, my tech hands me a copy of the MOT yes it'd passed, but with a long list of advisories, including corroded brake pipes and worn suspension components to name but a few.
So back to the customer we sit down to the deal, gets all the way through to the P/X price and she most miffed to see us offering her only £4300 for her Golf (which it turns out was only £300 less than our local Ford Garage) so we explain it's because of the corroded brake pipes and worn suspension that she forgot to tell us about, but she say's "her car has just passed an MOT so it can't possibly have those issues" so sensing all was lost anyway I flourished a freshly printed copy of her forgotten MOT in front of her, It was hard to remain calm at this point but I managed it, her face went a bit red, she shrugged her shoulders and said quite brazenly "well it was worth a try my mechanic has said that it'd be best to get shot of the Golf as the next MOT was going to be expensive" to which I added that the Turbo was on the way out as well, to which she said "Yeah! that's what he said as well!" we were still prepared to stand on our price of £4300 for her Golf, but she was having none of it, and swept out of the place....
So as you can see we get lied to regularly, and when you sell as many cars a month as we do (nearly 500) it happens most days, someone tries to get one over you, it pays to be vigilent......
You have to do it these days....unless your garage is fortunate enough to have a prime slot in a big auction to get rid of p/exs, check and double check particularly with diesels.So a thorough walk round then an interior check and a little blat up the road just to check it out, during the test drive I do my usual test of letting the car slow down in gear with the clutch up then give it a boot full, the smoke out of the back resembled a low pass by the Red Arrows!!, and the turbo was whistling like a canary on speed!
IN we come and we get ready to test drive the Astra, but I have a niggle at the back of my mind about the MOT so as we have the V5 I asked out MOT tech to check it out (she had conveniently left it at home) after the Astra test drive I take the trade plates back to the key room, and pop into the MOT bay that's next to it, my tech hands me a copy of the MOT yes it'd passed, but with a long list of advisories, including corroded brake pipes and worn suspension components to name but a few.
So back to the customer we sit down to the deal, gets all the way through to the P/X price and she most miffed to see us offering her only £4300 for her Golf (which it turns out was only £300 less than our local Ford Garage) so we explain it's because of the corroded brake pipes and worn suspension that she forgot to tell us about, but she say's "her car has just passed an MOT so it can't possibly have those issues" so sensing all was lost anyway I flourished a freshly printed copy of her forgotten MOT in front of her, It was hard to remain calm at this point but I managed it, her face went a bit red, she shrugged her shoulders and said quite brazenly "well it was worth a try my mechanic has said that it'd be best to get shot of the Golf as the next MOT was going to be expensive" to which I added that the Turbo was on the way out as well, to which she said "Yeah! that's what he said as well!" we were still prepared to stand on our price of £4300 for her Golf, but she was having none of it, and swept out of the place....
So as you can see we get lied to regularly, and when you sell as many cars a month as we do (nearly 500) it happens most days, someone tries to get one over you, it pays to be vigilent......
Let them take them to the holy grail that is WBAC !
tdm34 said:
Believe it or not most people don't expect that you will actually drive their car as part of the appraisal
Last 3 cars we've p/x'd (including one in progress at the moment, where they used WBAC as a reference to its value) they've done little more than glance out of the showroom window. Seems most franchised dealers just send non-franchise p/x's off to auction now, so if you fancy a change of make each time then that's always going to happen.tdm34 said:
Had a lovely lady in today looking at a 63 plate Astra that we've got it on sale for £9999, her swapper was a 58 plate Golf Match TDi with 81k on it, and whilst talking to her before the appraisal she mentioned that the MOT was renewed last week, it according to her had flown through with no advisories!...
So a thorough walk round then an interior check and a little blat up the road just to check it out, during the test drive I do my usual test of letting the car slow down in gear with the clutch up then give it a boot full, the smoke out of the back resembled a low pass by the Red Arrows!!, and the turbo was whistling like a canary on speed!
IN we come and we get ready to test drive the Astra, but I have a niggle at the back of my mind about the MOT so as we have the V5 I asked out MOT tech to check it out (she had conveniently left it at home) after the Astra test drive I take the trade plates back to the key room, and pop into the MOT bay that's next to it, my tech hands me a copy of the MOT yes it'd passed, but with a long list of advisories, including corroded brake pipes and worn suspension components to name but a few.
So back to the customer we sit down to the deal, gets all the way through to the P/X price and she most miffed to see us offering her only £4300 for her Golf (which it turns out was only £300 less than our local Ford Garage) so we explain it's because of the corroded brake pipes and worn suspension that she forgot to tell us about, but she say's "her car has just passed an MOT so it can't possibly have those issues" so sensing all was lost anyway I flourished a freshly printed copy of her forgotten MOT in front of her, It was hard to remain calm at this point but I managed it, her face went a bit red, she shrugged her shoulders and said quite brazenly "well it was worth a try my mechanic has said that it'd be best to get shot of the Golf as the next MOT was going to be expensive" to which I added that the Turbo was on the way out as well, to which she said "Yeah! that's what he said as well!" we were still prepared to stand on our price of £4300 for her Golf, but she was having none of it, and swept out of the place....
So as you can see we get lied to regularly, and when you sell as many cars a month as we do (nearly 500) it happens most days, someone tries to get one over you, it pays to be vigilent......
So a thorough walk round then an interior check and a little blat up the road just to check it out, during the test drive I do my usual test of letting the car slow down in gear with the clutch up then give it a boot full, the smoke out of the back resembled a low pass by the Red Arrows!!, and the turbo was whistling like a canary on speed!
IN we come and we get ready to test drive the Astra, but I have a niggle at the back of my mind about the MOT so as we have the V5 I asked out MOT tech to check it out (she had conveniently left it at home) after the Astra test drive I take the trade plates back to the key room, and pop into the MOT bay that's next to it, my tech hands me a copy of the MOT yes it'd passed, but with a long list of advisories, including corroded brake pipes and worn suspension components to name but a few.
So back to the customer we sit down to the deal, gets all the way through to the P/X price and she most miffed to see us offering her only £4300 for her Golf (which it turns out was only £300 less than our local Ford Garage) so we explain it's because of the corroded brake pipes and worn suspension that she forgot to tell us about, but she say's "her car has just passed an MOT so it can't possibly have those issues" so sensing all was lost anyway I flourished a freshly printed copy of her forgotten MOT in front of her, It was hard to remain calm at this point but I managed it, her face went a bit red, she shrugged her shoulders and said quite brazenly "well it was worth a try my mechanic has said that it'd be best to get shot of the Golf as the next MOT was going to be expensive" to which I added that the Turbo was on the way out as well, to which she said "Yeah! that's what he said as well!" we were still prepared to stand on our price of £4300 for her Golf, but she was having none of it, and swept out of the place....
So as you can see we get lied to regularly, and when you sell as many cars a month as we do (nearly 500) it happens most days, someone tries to get one over you, it pays to be vigilent......
Yes, I brought a 530D Touring from an East Midlands dealer, they assured me was all fine.
I was too naive to check or realise the car had been written off previously due to flood damage.
I only found this out when my local BMW dealer tried to fix some issues a week later (sigh, yes, electrical).
Sold the car to an offshore oilrig worker who was going to run it into the ground and didn't give a sh$t about flood damage as long as it ran ok.
Oh well...
I was too naive to check or realise the car had been written off previously due to flood damage.
I only found this out when my local BMW dealer tried to fix some issues a week later (sigh, yes, electrical).
Sold the car to an offshore oilrig worker who was going to run it into the ground and didn't give a sh$t about flood damage as long as it ran ok.
Oh well...
I was lied to by a main dealer(it's not just the 2nd hand people my girlfriend went to purchase a 5 series diesel she ended up with a 525d as it was more economical (according to the salesman) than the 530d she went there for(which was the one I'd told her to get) when I got back from being away she told what she'd brought & why I went straight up there to get her order cancelled as according to BMW's own figures the 525d is worse than the 530d he still wasn't having it spoke to the manager & finally got the order cancelled & a refund. We ended up buying a new E class.
It doesn't matter what or who you're buying from judge a car on what you're looking at make sure you go for a long test drive hpi checks & buy on condition.
If they say they'll change parts make sure they leave the old ones so you can be assured the works been carried out.
It doesn't matter what or who you're buying from judge a car on what you're looking at make sure you go for a long test drive hpi checks & buy on condition.
If they say they'll change parts make sure they leave the old ones so you can be assured the works been carried out.
When I have had a bad experience (which is a rarity), it is more often than not down to incompetence from the sales person (not knowing their product), or the inablity to stop talking, or say that they need to check on the details before making a statement of fact. I don' change my cars often, but when I do, I make sure I am prepared and in a healthy state of paranoia.
I recently bought an Audi Q7 and the garage in question specialised in Jaguars and their attention to detail turned out to be to my advantage. Before buying the car, I put a deposit on it and did all of the checks necessary to make me feel comfortable. They said that the first service appearing in the book at around 28,000 miles was fine for the car as it was on the long life service, which I questioned as it was over 2 years and 20,000 miles. I phoned the supplying dealer and found that they has services it at 10K and 19K but hadn't stamped the service book. I now had a proper service history. Then they were lacking their car knowledge (not surprising, but one of the salesmanagers was meant to be recently from an Audi main dealer) to mention all of the extras the car had Bluetooth, DAB, AMI iPod connection, Xenon headlights, Rear climate controls and rear heated seats, power folding mirrors and BOSE. A over a couple of thousand pounds of options that made the car much more desirable that how they had advertised it.
Generally, I find that if I want to buy a car, I do my homework religiously on the car and specification. I am pretty much as equally prepared as many dealers. I also try to buy from specialists, or reputable quality brand dealerships, as I expect them to have been in business for a good reason, so also make use of online reviews to help me judge the quality of the company.
I recently bought an Audi Q7 and the garage in question specialised in Jaguars and their attention to detail turned out to be to my advantage. Before buying the car, I put a deposit on it and did all of the checks necessary to make me feel comfortable. They said that the first service appearing in the book at around 28,000 miles was fine for the car as it was on the long life service, which I questioned as it was over 2 years and 20,000 miles. I phoned the supplying dealer and found that they has services it at 10K and 19K but hadn't stamped the service book. I now had a proper service history. Then they were lacking their car knowledge (not surprising, but one of the salesmanagers was meant to be recently from an Audi main dealer) to mention all of the extras the car had Bluetooth, DAB, AMI iPod connection, Xenon headlights, Rear climate controls and rear heated seats, power folding mirrors and BOSE. A over a couple of thousand pounds of options that made the car much more desirable that how they had advertised it.
Generally, I find that if I want to buy a car, I do my homework religiously on the car and specification. I am pretty much as equally prepared as many dealers. I also try to buy from specialists, or reputable quality brand dealerships, as I expect them to have been in business for a good reason, so also make use of online reviews to help me judge the quality of the company.
bridgland said:
When I have had a bad experience (which is a rarity), it is more often than not down to incompetence from the sales person (not knowing their product), or the inablity to stop talking, or say that they need to check on the details before making a statement of fact. I don' change my cars often, but when I do, I make sure I am prepared and in a healthy state of paranoia.
I recently bought an Audi Q7 and the garage in question specialised in Jaguars and their attention to detail turned out to be to my advantage. Before buying the car, I put a deposit on it and did all of the checks necessary to make me feel comfortable. They said that the first service appearing in the book at around 28,000 miles was fine for the car as it was on the long life service, which I questioned as it was over 2 years and 20,000 miles. I phoned the supplying dealer and found that they has services it at 10K and 19K but hadn't stamped the service book. I now had a proper service history. Then they were lacking their car knowledge (not surprising, but one of the salesmanagers was meant to be recently from an Audi main dealer) to mention all of the extras the car had Bluetooth, DAB, AMI iPod connection, Xenon headlights, Rear climate controls and rear heated seats, power folding mirrors and BOSE. A over a couple of thousand pounds of options that made the car much more desirable that how they had advertised it.
Generally, I find that if I want to buy a car, I do my homework religiously on the car and specification. I am pretty much as equally prepared as many dealers. I also try to buy from specialists, or reputable quality brand dealerships, as I expect them to have been in business for a good reason, so also make use of online reviews to help me judge the quality of the company.
Proper due diligence, instead of buying the cheapest 400 miles away and then moaning when theres a problem.I recently bought an Audi Q7 and the garage in question specialised in Jaguars and their attention to detail turned out to be to my advantage. Before buying the car, I put a deposit on it and did all of the checks necessary to make me feel comfortable. They said that the first service appearing in the book at around 28,000 miles was fine for the car as it was on the long life service, which I questioned as it was over 2 years and 20,000 miles. I phoned the supplying dealer and found that they has services it at 10K and 19K but hadn't stamped the service book. I now had a proper service history. Then they were lacking their car knowledge (not surprising, but one of the salesmanagers was meant to be recently from an Audi main dealer) to mention all of the extras the car had Bluetooth, DAB, AMI iPod connection, Xenon headlights, Rear climate controls and rear heated seats, power folding mirrors and BOSE. A over a couple of thousand pounds of options that made the car much more desirable that how they had advertised it.
Generally, I find that if I want to buy a car, I do my homework religiously on the car and specification. I am pretty much as equally prepared as many dealers. I also try to buy from specialists, or reputable quality brand dealerships, as I expect them to have been in business for a good reason, so also make use of online reviews to help me judge the quality of the company.
I think, to various degrees, all have lied or BSd is some way or other, before or after sale.
The exceptions being all three Hondas I have owned. Two from the same salesman at Derek Warwick Honda (as was) in Southampton, one from Rowes in Plymouth.
Coincidence? Or maybe no need to BS with a Honda - they just sell themselves?
The exceptions being all three Hondas I have owned. Two from the same salesman at Derek Warwick Honda (as was) in Southampton, one from Rowes in Plymouth.
Coincidence? Or maybe no need to BS with a Honda - they just sell themselves?
unrepentant said:
P-Jay said:
Seat dealer Swansea who sold me the thing "it's easy, £300"
Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
I'd say the dealer in Cardiff can't be bothered, probably because you didn't buy the car from him. Why should he put himself out for you when you chose to take your business to Swansea? Maybe you should have bought from your nearest dealer rather than a distant one to save 50 quid or whatever. Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
We've fitted plenty of heated seats. The heating element goes in the seat and our people usually fit the button to the side of the seat itself. We've done all sorts of cars from Volvo's to Range Rovers. 300 quid is about right.
Jeez, I'll need a service in a few months, I'd better start buttering them up.
Went to see an A6 Le Mans.
Dealer - FSH / Mint Condition / 99k miles / Black
Me - Periodic SH at best / NOT mint condition! / 114k miles / GREEN!!! (Photos made it look black - lighting otherwise i wouldn't of travelled)
Bought a E92 330i
Me - Are those upgraded '313' alloys,
Dealer - Yes 100% genuine from BMW (no paperwork) bought by the pervious owner.
Me - Hmm ok no problem, in bad condition (Knocked £500 off for a refurb)
2 weeks later someone crashed into me on the A550 on the way to Alton Towers - Car goes in to be repaired and lo and behold they are fake alloys.
Dealer - We never said they were real.
Me - Aha i have the message you sent me stating they are.
Dealer - Ooo, errm, well, we could, let me, errm, I'll speak to the boss.
Cheque for £500, so all’s well that ends well.
Bought a cheap run about Honda that had done 15k every year of its life and then the last one had done 2k in a year?! Dodgy as sin dealer with an A4 print off for SH and no previous MOT's. Was only a cheap car or wouldn't of bothered, can honestly say I'd rather go private and spend the difference in price on the car.
No positive's here.
Dealer - FSH / Mint Condition / 99k miles / Black
Me - Periodic SH at best / NOT mint condition! / 114k miles / GREEN!!! (Photos made it look black - lighting otherwise i wouldn't of travelled)
Bought a E92 330i
Me - Are those upgraded '313' alloys,
Dealer - Yes 100% genuine from BMW (no paperwork) bought by the pervious owner.
Me - Hmm ok no problem, in bad condition (Knocked £500 off for a refurb)
2 weeks later someone crashed into me on the A550 on the way to Alton Towers - Car goes in to be repaired and lo and behold they are fake alloys.
Dealer - We never said they were real.
Me - Aha i have the message you sent me stating they are.
Dealer - Ooo, errm, well, we could, let me, errm, I'll speak to the boss.
Cheque for £500, so all’s well that ends well.
Bought a cheap run about Honda that had done 15k every year of its life and then the last one had done 2k in a year?! Dodgy as sin dealer with an A4 print off for SH and no previous MOT's. Was only a cheap car or wouldn't of bothered, can honestly say I'd rather go private and spend the difference in price on the car.
No positive's here.
Edited by Trexthedinosaur on Tuesday 5th August 13:36
P-Jay said:
unrepentant said:
P-Jay said:
Seat dealer Swansea who sold me the thing "it's easy, £300"
Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
I'd say the dealer in Cardiff can't be bothered, probably because you didn't buy the car from him. Why should he put himself out for you when you chose to take your business to Swansea? Maybe you should have bought from your nearest dealer rather than a distant one to save 50 quid or whatever. Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
We've fitted plenty of heated seats. The heating element goes in the seat and our people usually fit the button to the side of the seat itself. We've done all sorts of cars from Volvo's to Range Rovers. 300 quid is about right.
Jeez, I'll need a service in a few months, I'd better start buttering them up.
Car dealers.
Seriously. It`s their job to shift stock, so expect BS. I really can`t be arsed with them but they make up most sellers on the net and if you`re after something rare or limited you have to try them but I will say this. I`ve had countless cars over the years and I`ve tramped round the country seeking out the best condition cars I can. A cars stated condition is subjective so I always expect to find fault. Now and then I get weak and try a car from a garage only to find a ton of issues then leave thinking "F**king trader, I should have known better"
In saying that I bought my last car from the `**** main dealer of the year 2013` and left a deposit on it over the phone having unbelievably took the salesman at his word (more fool me). On arrival the car had a list of faults and issues and they completely LIED to me on the phone regarding the cars condition. I was 450 miles away and had to threaten with legal action to get the compensation and parts needed to rectify sent to my door. Great way to deal eh? Not.
However, the best car I ever bought in my life (and I usually but privately from enthusiasts) was second hand and was from the trade a good few years ago. Accord Type R. It wasn`t a fluke as all his cars were top condition. All of them. More expensive than your average dealer but I`d buy from him again, unseen. His testimonials are justified in every way. Some dealer do have a conscience and care about their customers supposing it is only 2% of them but I believe they are out there .
Seriously. It`s their job to shift stock, so expect BS. I really can`t be arsed with them but they make up most sellers on the net and if you`re after something rare or limited you have to try them but I will say this. I`ve had countless cars over the years and I`ve tramped round the country seeking out the best condition cars I can. A cars stated condition is subjective so I always expect to find fault. Now and then I get weak and try a car from a garage only to find a ton of issues then leave thinking "F**king trader, I should have known better"
In saying that I bought my last car from the `**** main dealer of the year 2013` and left a deposit on it over the phone having unbelievably took the salesman at his word (more fool me). On arrival the car had a list of faults and issues and they completely LIED to me on the phone regarding the cars condition. I was 450 miles away and had to threaten with legal action to get the compensation and parts needed to rectify sent to my door. Great way to deal eh? Not.
However, the best car I ever bought in my life (and I usually but privately from enthusiasts) was second hand and was from the trade a good few years ago. Accord Type R. It wasn`t a fluke as all his cars were top condition. All of them. More expensive than your average dealer but I`d buy from him again, unseen. His testimonials are justified in every way. Some dealer do have a conscience and care about their customers supposing it is only 2% of them but I believe they are out there .
unrepentant said:
P-Jay said:
unrepentant said:
P-Jay said:
Seat dealer Swansea who sold me the thing "it's easy, £300"
Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
I'd say the dealer in Cardiff can't be bothered, probably because you didn't buy the car from him. Why should he put himself out for you when you chose to take your business to Swansea? Maybe you should have bought from your nearest dealer rather than a distant one to save 50 quid or whatever. Seat dealer Cardiff nearer where I live "sorry, it can't really be done, to have the seats heated it would have had to have had the winter pack fitted at the factory, we could sell you the heating elements and indeed the bit of the dashboard that has the controls for it - but it would be more than £300 and still you wouldn't be able to use them because the wiring is not in place for them".
We've fitted plenty of heated seats. The heating element goes in the seat and our people usually fit the button to the side of the seat itself. We've done all sorts of cars from Volvo's to Range Rovers. 300 quid is about right.
Jeez, I'll need a service in a few months, I'd better start buttering them up.
Worst I've ever heard of is the customer who trailered his PX car(Range Rover),non runner with £5k of engine and suspension problems to the local BMW dealer in the dead of night,walked in the next day as if he'd just driven down in it and traded it in after screwing the dealer down to the ground on their car.When the dealership staff tried to move the car and could not eventually they then investigated the CCTV and all was revealed.Customer denied all knowledge when contacted...
MarsellusWallace said:
Worst I've ever heard of is the customer who trailered his PX car(Range Rover),non runner with £5k of engine and suspension problems to the local BMW dealer in the dead of night,walked in the next day as if he'd just driven down in it and traded it in after screwing the dealer down to the ground on their car.When the dealership staff tried to move the car and could not eventually they then investigated the CCTV and all was revealed.Customer denied all knowledge when contacted...
So they had to look at the cctv, nobody noticed it parked up when they came to work and the dealership was left open all night?MarsellusWallace said:
Worst I've ever heard of is the customer who trailered his PX car(Range Rover),non runner with £5k of engine and suspension problems to the local BMW dealer in the dead of night,walked in the next day as if he'd just driven down in it and traded it in after screwing the dealer down to the ground on their car.When the dealership staff tried to move the car and could not eventually they then investigated the CCTV and all was revealed.Customer denied all knowledge when contacted...
I wouldn't be surprised if that story is on Snopes...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff