Trust dealerships to do service prior to sale?

[torqueofthedevil]

A mate just bought a saab from a large dealership. He asked that a service was done first. Would u trust it had been done? Any way to check? It's a diesel so oil will be black anyway.

It just arose my suspisions when it was delivered from 80 miles away with only 12 psi in tyres!

[davepoth]

Generally at the end of the market I buy at, it's easier to tell the garage not to bother, and knock £200 off the cost of the car.

[Taita]

Is the oil filter covered in st?

[POORCARDEALER]

If you dont trust the garage to do as they say then dont buy a car from them!


(Have they done anything to make you not trust them?)

[MarsellusWallace]

Probably just had a 'showroom service','oil service' or 'lubrication service' which essentially all mean an oil change and maybe a filter if the dealer is feeling generous.

[TonyRPH]

No.

I've seen cases of a nicely cleaned oil filter.

But then upon examination of the oil, it was clear that said oil was not fresh.

Another good thing to check os the air filter - although that depends on replacement intervals - always a good indication of how well the car has been maintained though.

[markmullen]

As PCD said, if you don't trust the dealer you shouldn't be buying from them.

[torqueofthedevil]

As stated, had no reason not to trust them. Was only when the car was delivered and had been paid for that it was realised that the tyre pressures were so low. Therefore arising suspicion.

Thought I explained that quite clearly?!?!?

[TRUENOSAM]

MarsellusWallace said:

Probably just had a 'showroom service','oil service' or 'lubrication service' which essentially all mean an oil change and maybe a filter if the dealer is feeling generous.

It will be this more than likley

[geeteeaye]

To those saying 'if you don't trust them, walk away' etc - how much trust can you have in a car dealership? You're only likely to have been in their company for an hour or two and all you see is what they choose to show - never know what happens 'behind the scenes'. Yes you get a gut feeling but trusting a car dealer is a bit like trusting your labrador - they seem the friendliest to your face but will still nick your lunch if given the opportunity.

[busta]

Tyre pressures are definitely on the check list for every service, so unless it's got a slow puncture (which you will find out over the next few days), there will be good grounds for saying they didn't service it.

As others have said, check air, oil and fuel filters for newness, and spare tyre for pressure and tread depth as this is something that can be overlooked. That's about as much as you'd expect them to check in a basic service.

[markmullen]

geeteeaye said:

To those saying 'if you don't trust them, walk away' etc - how much trust can you have in a car dealership? You're only likely to have been in their company for an hour or two and all you see is what they choose to show - never know what happens 'behind the scenes'. Yes you get a gut feeling but trusting a car dealer is a bit like trusting your labrador - they seem the friendliest to your face but will still nick your lunch if given the opportunity.

If you look the two of us who said this are both dealers. There is trust required from both parties in any deal.

[geeteeaye]

markmullen said:

If you look the two of us who said this are both dealers. There is trust required from both parties in any deal.

If there is a part ex there is an element of that but if someone is outright buying a car from you, why would you care if you trust them or not?

[markmullen]

Because up until the car has been paid for, has been delivered and done there is potential for the buyer to mess about, fail to collect the car, try and cancel etc.