Facts hidden when buying car
Discussion
Hi,
I'm new here but have heard of this site/forum before for being a good source of car related knowledge so reaching out to see if I could get some advice.
A month ago, I went to see a Ford Focus at a garage which is part of a national chain. It was exactly what I was looking for and was just over 2 years old.
I asked during the test drive if the car had a full service history and was told it had. I also then asked prior to buying it how many previous owners the car had and if they knew who the previous owner was. They said it had 2 previous owners but they didn't have any details on the person other than that it was a man. They claimed they didn't store any information more than that due to data protection. I said I would have preferred to know that as I really didn't want an ex-rental car as everyone knows they are thrashed.
Before paying, I asked to see the FSH and the salesman said sure and went and printed out a piece of paper which I could tell was the "prepare for sale" service done just a few months earlier. I said there must be more than this, causing him to go hunting through drawers, phoning the speaking clock for all I know trying to hunt them down. Anyway, I was keen on the car but made the salesman write on the order form that the deal was based on me being provided with the FSH and that if this didn't happen, I wanted to return the car. When picking up the car, I signed a number of papers, including the torn off strip of the V5 which transfers ownership.
3 weeks later and they've still not been in touch with me regarding the FSH or lack of. Just the other day, my V5 arrived from the DVLA and I was incensed when I saw that the previous owner listed was "Avis Rent-A-Car" in England.
I phoned Avis and asked about the history of the car - they didn't have much on it other than they sold it at the end of 2011 with the same mileage as what it had when I purchased it. That makes me wonder who the previous owner was before Avis had it as don't they normally buy from new? I thought rental cars would be bought new and then used for 1 year / 10000 miles before being sold so I'm confused why this one had done 35k miles by the time Avis got rid of it.
I phoned up the garage and asked to speak to the manager who I then told the whole story to. I said they must have had the V5 when I asked about the previous owner and they basically hid that from me as they knew it would put me off.
Now that I have the car and the V5 has the previous registered keeper listed as Avis, it's surely going to affect my resale value. They still claim they will get me the FSH but I don't think they will pull through with that other than getting a letter written by Avis saying they service all cars during their time of rental (have seen another forum post where this happened). Can't see this being much evidence when I come to sell the car myself.
The car has been fine so far and I'm happy with it, but now knowing that it is ex-rental and reading about how they are mistreated by people when hiring, it has made me think something will go wrong sooner rather than later. It only has 8 months left of the 3 years warranty that new cars get, but will Ford even touch it if I don't have a FSH to show them that it's been looked after?
Anyway, what do you think I should do? I paid £100 on VISA and the rest on switch when I purchased the car as I'd read that it would cover you if you wanted a refund. I feel like they deliberately didn't answer my question when asked and that they've lied about the FSH all along.
As you can probably tell, buying cars isn't something I'm used to doing hence my lack of knowledge with asking to see the V5 prior to purchase and believing a salesman in the first place. I know it's partly my fault so please don't give me too much hassle for not demanding to see the docs in the first place.
Should I ask for my money back? or a replacement car of similar spec? Do I just have to live with the car and know better next time? What options do you think I have?
Thanks!!
I'm new here but have heard of this site/forum before for being a good source of car related knowledge so reaching out to see if I could get some advice.
A month ago, I went to see a Ford Focus at a garage which is part of a national chain. It was exactly what I was looking for and was just over 2 years old.
I asked during the test drive if the car had a full service history and was told it had. I also then asked prior to buying it how many previous owners the car had and if they knew who the previous owner was. They said it had 2 previous owners but they didn't have any details on the person other than that it was a man. They claimed they didn't store any information more than that due to data protection. I said I would have preferred to know that as I really didn't want an ex-rental car as everyone knows they are thrashed.
Before paying, I asked to see the FSH and the salesman said sure and went and printed out a piece of paper which I could tell was the "prepare for sale" service done just a few months earlier. I said there must be more than this, causing him to go hunting through drawers, phoning the speaking clock for all I know trying to hunt them down. Anyway, I was keen on the car but made the salesman write on the order form that the deal was based on me being provided with the FSH and that if this didn't happen, I wanted to return the car. When picking up the car, I signed a number of papers, including the torn off strip of the V5 which transfers ownership.
3 weeks later and they've still not been in touch with me regarding the FSH or lack of. Just the other day, my V5 arrived from the DVLA and I was incensed when I saw that the previous owner listed was "Avis Rent-A-Car" in England.
I phoned Avis and asked about the history of the car - they didn't have much on it other than they sold it at the end of 2011 with the same mileage as what it had when I purchased it. That makes me wonder who the previous owner was before Avis had it as don't they normally buy from new? I thought rental cars would be bought new and then used for 1 year / 10000 miles before being sold so I'm confused why this one had done 35k miles by the time Avis got rid of it.
I phoned up the garage and asked to speak to the manager who I then told the whole story to. I said they must have had the V5 when I asked about the previous owner and they basically hid that from me as they knew it would put me off.
Now that I have the car and the V5 has the previous registered keeper listed as Avis, it's surely going to affect my resale value. They still claim they will get me the FSH but I don't think they will pull through with that other than getting a letter written by Avis saying they service all cars during their time of rental (have seen another forum post where this happened). Can't see this being much evidence when I come to sell the car myself.
The car has been fine so far and I'm happy with it, but now knowing that it is ex-rental and reading about how they are mistreated by people when hiring, it has made me think something will go wrong sooner rather than later. It only has 8 months left of the 3 years warranty that new cars get, but will Ford even touch it if I don't have a FSH to show them that it's been looked after?
Anyway, what do you think I should do? I paid £100 on VISA and the rest on switch when I purchased the car as I'd read that it would cover you if you wanted a refund. I feel like they deliberately didn't answer my question when asked and that they've lied about the FSH all along.
As you can probably tell, buying cars isn't something I'm used to doing hence my lack of knowledge with asking to see the V5 prior to purchase and believing a salesman in the first place. I know it's partly my fault so please don't give me too much hassle for not demanding to see the docs in the first place.
Should I ask for my money back? or a replacement car of similar spec? Do I just have to live with the car and know better next time? What options do you think I have?
Thanks!!
No disrespect, but without seeing the V5 (and previous owner details) and without seeing a service book at the very least, i wouldnt have parted with any money.
It's easier to give them the money but not easy to get it back. If they really wanted the sale and had nothing to hide, they would have given you the info your required before giving them money.
It's easier to give them the money but not easy to get it back. If they really wanted the sale and had nothing to hide, they would have given you the info your required before giving them money.
I was stung after buying a 6 month old ex landrover management car - turned out to be avis when i got the registration docs. I got a free service and that was it.
When will garages learn that if you treat people right you can keep a customer for years.
When i purchased my last car from audi the registration docs and service book was on the salesmans desk when i signed - he was very good and unless the service department screw up he will have a repeat customer.
When will garages learn that if you treat people right you can keep a customer for years.
When i purchased my last car from audi the registration docs and service book was on the salesmans desk when i signed - he was very good and unless the service department screw up he will have a repeat customer.
Edited by sw67 on Sunday 22 April 20:03
I have sympathy with you OP, it sounds like you've leaned a life lesson a hard way.
BUT, seriously, where does Joe Public think all these 1yr/2yr old cars actually come from?
Do they think the mass purchasers that are the hire car companies push them into the sea once they get to a year old/12,000 miles?
BUT, seriously, where does Joe Public think all these 1yr/2yr old cars actually come from?
Do they think the mass purchasers that are the hire car companies push them into the sea once they get to a year old/12,000 miles?
I was caught by a prestige specialist with a good reputation in Whitstable (replace "done" in "Done Over" with North) ... lovely newish 20k car, one owner on advert and website, just what I wanted for the summer and a quick sale (convertible) before end of summer for zero depreciation.
V5 in post, great salesperson, did the deal ... then V5 showed 2 previous owners. Dealer apologised but not bothered ("makes no difference Sir") and they were nice chaps ... but so annoying!
Did sell car for just under right price and people did ask about the number of owners...
I'd live with it, life's too short.
V5 in post, great salesperson, did the deal ... then V5 showed 2 previous owners. Dealer apologised but not bothered ("makes no difference Sir") and they were nice chaps ... but so annoying!
Did sell car for just under right price and people did ask about the number of owners...
I'd live with it, life's too short.
Edited by HON2A on Sunday 22 April 19:44
Chainguy said:
I have sympathy with you OP, it sounds like you've leaned a life lesson a hard way.
BUT, seriously, where does Joe Public think all these 1yr/2yr old cars actually come from?
At least, and I mean at least, 90% of manufacturer-backed used car schemes' stock is ex-rental/fleet leases. It would be of little concern to me, especially on big standard euro boxes.
Do they think the mass purchasers that are the hire car companies push them into the sea once they get to a year old/12,000 miles?
BUT, seriously, where does Joe Public think all these 1yr/2yr old cars actually come from?
At least, and I mean at least, 90% of manufacturer-backed used car schemes' stock is ex-rental/fleet leases. It would be of little concern to me, especially on big standard euro boxes.
Do they think the mass purchasers that are the hire car companies push them into the sea once they get to a year old/12,000 miles?
Wow, I'm impressed with this forum to get so many replies in such a short time!
Apologies for not being able to keep the story short - just wanted to get all the facts in!
The manager was going to speak to his boss and so I'll find out soon what will happen next. I do feel like they deliberately didn't answer my questions and as such I was mis-sold the car. Yes, it hasn't blown up yet, but what's to say the gearbox or clutch (or other expensive part which normally doesn't die in the first few years unless thrashed) won't conk out soon?
Like some of you have said, it's definitely a lesson learnt and I'll never make that mistake again!
Thank you all for your replies!
Apologies for not being able to keep the story short - just wanted to get all the facts in!
The manager was going to speak to his boss and so I'll find out soon what will happen next. I do feel like they deliberately didn't answer my questions and as such I was mis-sold the car. Yes, it hasn't blown up yet, but what's to say the gearbox or clutch (or other expensive part which normally doesn't die in the first few years unless thrashed) won't conk out soon?
Like some of you have said, it's definitely a lesson learnt and I'll never make that mistake again!
Thank you all for your replies!
confused_buyer said:
Avis also do long terms and contract hire - not just daily rental so it could have been a regular lease car hence the higher than normal mileage and being 2 years old when sold.
Not at inverness airport they don't - it was an ok car but not the ex land rover uk car they said it was ( it was purchased from a land rover dealer )If you can take it back I would. I don't know your rights.
There are plenty of other Focus' to choose from.
If they won't accept it. Rampage the dealer ship with a super soaker full of battery acid.
Make sure you wear correct personal protective equipment as it can be an irritant.
Used car salesmen are generally not to be trusted.
There are plenty of other Focus' to choose from.
If they won't accept it. Rampage the dealer ship with a super soaker full of battery acid.
Make sure you wear correct personal protective equipment as it can be an irritant.
Used car salesmen are generally not to be trusted.
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