How much checking do dealers do when buying in cars?
Discussion
I'm curious, as I've just found out that the car I was supposed to be buying this weekend (having left a deposit last weekend), has had some significant accident damage repaired.
I asked the salesman directly whether the car had been involved in any accidents, he confirmed the HPI report was clear. As I didn't feel he'd answered the question, I asked again whether he was aware of anything else, which he said he was not.
I've just spent 5 minutes on the phone to another Ford (chain) dealer, who had performed the servicing work, in order to confirm the history was accurate and see if they had done anything else with the car. The chap I spoke with matter of factly stated that the car had about £4,500 of front end damage repaired with them.
On speaking to the dealer who actually did the work, it transpires it was a fairly extensive front end rebuild - and that shortly after it came back for another £1,300 worth after a tree fell on it.
When I challenged the salesman about it, he said they had bought it from a trader, rather than direct from the Ford dealer I spoke with, and had no idea about the accident damage.
So do they even bother checking and would the salesman be aware if they did (assuming the buyer is someone different within the dealership)?
I asked the salesman directly whether the car had been involved in any accidents, he confirmed the HPI report was clear. As I didn't feel he'd answered the question, I asked again whether he was aware of anything else, which he said he was not.
I've just spent 5 minutes on the phone to another Ford (chain) dealer, who had performed the servicing work, in order to confirm the history was accurate and see if they had done anything else with the car. The chap I spoke with matter of factly stated that the car had about £4,500 of front end damage repaired with them.
On speaking to the dealer who actually did the work, it transpires it was a fairly extensive front end rebuild - and that shortly after it came back for another £1,300 worth after a tree fell on it.
When I challenged the salesman about it, he said they had bought it from a trader, rather than direct from the Ford dealer I spoke with, and had no idea about the accident damage.
So do they even bother checking and would the salesman be aware if they did (assuming the buyer is someone different within the dealership)?
I doubt many do at all. I may have part exchanged a car with some serious emgine troubles some time ago with a very big dealer who basically gave me a px price going by the mileage and the look of the car he didn't even start it up. They make enough money for me not to be too worried about the loss they must have taken on that particular part ex!
Rinko said:
I'm curious, as I've just found out that the car I was supposed to be buying this weekend (having left a deposit last weekend), has had some significant accident damage repaired.
I asked the salesman directly whether the car had been involved in any accidents, he confirmed the HPI report was clear. As I didn't feel he'd answered the question, I asked again whether he was aware of anything else, which he said he was not.
I've just spent 5 minutes on the phone to another Ford (chain) dealer, who had performed the servicing work, in order to confirm the history was accurate and see if they had done anything else with the car. The chap I spoke with matter of factly stated that the car had about £4,500 of front end damage repaired with them.
On speaking to the dealer who actually did the work, it transpires it was a fairly extensive front end rebuild - and that shortly after it came back for another £1,300 worth after a tree fell on it.
When I challenged the salesman about it, he said they had bought it from a trader, rather than direct from the Ford dealer I spoke with, and had no idea about the accident damage.
So do they even bother checking and would the salesman be aware if they did (assuming the buyer is someone different within the dealership)?
"Has it been in an accident?"I asked the salesman directly whether the car had been involved in any accidents, he confirmed the HPI report was clear. As I didn't feel he'd answered the question, I asked again whether he was aware of anything else, which he said he was not.
I've just spent 5 minutes on the phone to another Ford (chain) dealer, who had performed the servicing work, in order to confirm the history was accurate and see if they had done anything else with the car. The chap I spoke with matter of factly stated that the car had about £4,500 of front end damage repaired with them.
On speaking to the dealer who actually did the work, it transpires it was a fairly extensive front end rebuild - and that shortly after it came back for another £1,300 worth after a tree fell on it.
When I challenged the salesman about it, he said they had bought it from a trader, rather than direct from the Ford dealer I spoke with, and had no idea about the accident damage.
So do they even bother checking and would the salesman be aware if they did (assuming the buyer is someone different within the dealership)?
"It's HPI clear."
I would suggest that exchange tells you all you should know.
Edited by Justayellowbadge on Tuesday 10th January 16:31
I Px'd my old Fiesta, the dealer got in it, made the car lurch forward a few times to test the clutch, had a quick walk around the outside and then agreed on a value for it. Could have been absolutely shagged, rusted to death underneath, an insurance write-off, it might not have even had a Ford engine it, but apparently none of that was important. I'd imagine with such pratices, every dealer gets sold a lemon now and then.
I part-exchanged a 206 HDi with a shagged injector or two. The dealer didn't even start the engine until I was home with my new car...I'd have happily worked with him on the price regarding the injector issue (he could've fixed it at trade prices thus potentially sweetening the deal for him), but if he wasn't going to do his due diligence then I wasn't going to go out of my way to line his pockets.
It depends on the outlet and the type of car and the profit in what they are selling you. In more than one case, my PX has been taken into their servicing department for an inspection to confirm their initial PX valuation which they usually stand by.
With an Astra I PX'd against a new Type R, they were less worried and gave us £3k. When we picked up the Type R he said they got £3400 at auction so they were happy.
I think some cars are obviously utter sh*tters and the PX is worked oyut of the profit with anything back off the PX as a bonus but more expensive cars should warrant some inspection or they'd be nuts. In some cases, I've even seen them sell the car to some other dealer who buys it on their say-so if they don't want it themselves but these tend to be low valuations anyway, sight unseen.
With an Astra I PX'd against a new Type R, they were less worried and gave us £3k. When we picked up the Type R he said they got £3400 at auction so they were happy.
I think some cars are obviously utter sh*tters and the PX is worked oyut of the profit with anything back off the PX as a bonus but more expensive cars should warrant some inspection or they'd be nuts. In some cases, I've even seen them sell the car to some other dealer who buys it on their say-so if they don't want it themselves but these tend to be low valuations anyway, sight unseen.
KMud said:
I part-exchanged a 206 HDi with a shagged injector or two. The dealer didn't even start the engine until I was home with my new car...I'd have happily worked with him on the price regarding the injector issue (he could've fixed it at trade prices thus potentially sweetening the deal for him), but if he wasn't going to do his due diligence then I wasn't going to go out of my way to line his pockets.
Fair point IMOT16OLE said:
KMud said:
I part-exchanged a 206 HDi with a shagged injector or two. The dealer didn't even start the engine until I was home with my new car...I'd have happily worked with him on the price regarding the injector issue (he could've fixed it at trade prices thus potentially sweetening the deal for him), but if he wasn't going to do his due diligence then I wasn't going to go out of my way to line his pockets.
Fair point IMOOlder topic but i thought would throw in my two and a half pence worth.
Used to work for a car dealership, and when we were looking around a customers Px, it depended on what it was and the value of it as to how much detail went into when giving a valuation. for example if it was a beat up looking 15 year old corsa or something you could probably give a safe enough value on it without the need to poke around or start.
Whereas if you had a 5 year old jag and missed something like knackered turbo or along the lines of being Cat C or D write off then there was alot more to lose so you would more often than not spend longer looking/driving it.
Also is handy to HPI check them before agree a price as sometimes customers werent forthcoming with the fact they owed finance or its 'my dads car really'
All these things we would do if was bought as PX or from a trader aswell, because sometimes they may not be aware of the cars history. Poss what happened with the original chap
Used to work for a car dealership, and when we were looking around a customers Px, it depended on what it was and the value of it as to how much detail went into when giving a valuation. for example if it was a beat up looking 15 year old corsa or something you could probably give a safe enough value on it without the need to poke around or start.
Whereas if you had a 5 year old jag and missed something like knackered turbo or along the lines of being Cat C or D write off then there was alot more to lose so you would more often than not spend longer looking/driving it.
Also is handy to HPI check them before agree a price as sometimes customers werent forthcoming with the fact they owed finance or its 'my dads car really'
All these things we would do if was bought as PX or from a trader aswell, because sometimes they may not be aware of the cars history. Poss what happened with the original chap
I PX'd in a car that had a blown HG and cracked piston ring with a dealer. He didn't bother to check it over even though I invited him to.
The next day the car was up for sale for £250 more than the P/X value.
Two days later it was sold to an individual.
Two weeks later the individual contacted me to ask if the car was shagged.
The next day the car was up for sale for £250 more than the P/X value.
Two days later it was sold to an individual.
Two weeks later the individual contacted me to ask if the car was shagged.
redgriff500 said:
To answer the question as stated HPi and a quick walk around is all 99% do.
BUT if the car has had £4500 work done at a main dealer I'd not be concerned as it now has lots of new bits replacing old bits.
Same as having a new engine - surely its a bonus.
Good in theory. Just depends on how well it's been screwed back together. Not very well most of the time, in my experience!BUT if the car has had £4500 work done at a main dealer I'd not be concerned as it now has lots of new bits replacing old bits.
Same as having a new engine - surely its a bonus.
Someone I know recently bought a nearly new Jetta from a main VW dealer with very low miles. Sadly, neither the dealer or the buyer inspected the car very well. Once the car was given a wash back home, allsorts of things came to light. Only the roof and both passenger doors hadn't had paint! Dealer claimed to know nothing about it. Expected better from a company who claims moral high ground over other manufacturers just because their prices are higher! Car is still sitting on their forecourt 6 months later!
I've decided not to proceed with the purchase and am in the process of having my deposit refunded.
The work was completed by a Ford dealer, so I would hope it's been done well. However, given the list of parts replaced, I'm not willing to take the risk.
I can see when a dealer is taking in a p/x, that they might not care too much, as they are making a sale.
However, as the car was from a trader, I would presume this was bought just to punt on - I can't see a trader p/x'ing for something with a dealer markup?
The work was completed by a Ford dealer, so I would hope it's been done well. However, given the list of parts replaced, I'm not willing to take the risk.
I can see when a dealer is taking in a p/x, that they might not care too much, as they are making a sale.
However, as the car was from a trader, I would presume this was bought just to punt on - I can't see a trader p/x'ing for something with a dealer markup?
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