Dealer car - been sitting a while

[bingobangobongo]

So I am soon to make a long trip to buy a car I have reserved from an Arnold Clark dealer.

It's 67 reg with 28,000 miles on it. Dealer was keen to deal since he says he has had it for a while.

I checked the tax history and sure enough it's been untaxed since May this year. I asked him about it and he explained the back story of the 1 user he originally sold the car too. They took it out on pcp on a 3 year deal and after 18 months got another deal for the same car model since it worked out cheaper. They were also doing a lot of miles so that may have contributed to getting a new deal?

Anyway I have some concerns about a car being sat in the forecourt for 5 months, are these justified and should I look for anything when I view or test drive it?

It's missed it's 2 year service in September so I have asked for this to be completed, is that reasonable?

Thanks

[loskie]

I would be more concerned about buying a car at distance from Arnold .

[bingobangobongo]

Why's that then? Surely they aren't that bad?

[Pistonheader101]

Nothing wrong with it sitting for a few months - especially at that age cars.

Plenty of ex lease cars sit around for upto a year before being sold on

Edited by Pistonheader101 on Monday 7th October 18:55

[bingobangobongo]

I've read about seized brakes, batteries, tyres etc. So wasn't sure if there was anything I should look for.

I'm hoping they do properly service it as the 2 years service can be expensive.

This particular Arnold Clark has a good Google rating so not sure what else I can do.

[Roboticarm]

See this alot with imports, they get imported and try their luck at a high price, I've seen "fresh imports" with paperwork showing imported a year ago.
A few months wouldn't worry me but a year would, I'd also ask of they've regularly started it and where it's been sat.
5 months in modern warehouse and 5 months outside can have very different effects

[Pistonheader101]

Can you not pay £99 for them to move it to a click and collect centre?

[bingobangobongo]

I have to get a boat to see it 🙃

[Jamescrs]

I think the only real risk with it being sitting a while is the battery will have probably been allowed to go flat, not really a big issue though

[38911]

bingobangobongo said:

Arnold Clark has a good Google rating so not sure what else I can do.

Have a look on Trustpilot or Google. Search for the most recent one-star review of Arnold Clark, make a note of the reviewer username, then look again in two days time and there is a very good chance you will find it's disappeared.

I posted a perfectly legitimate 1-star review following a very bad experience with them. The following day I got an email from Trustpilot saying that Arnold Clark had reported my review claiming that they believed it was false - so Trustpilot just removed it. I sent Trustpilot a scan of the invoice and photographic evidence of the issue - and they ignored it.

I've also seen reports of customers being offered incentives (e.g. car care kit or a token discount) in exchange for posting 5-star reviews. And if you look carefully, you'll see a large proportion of 5 star reviews are made by people who have only ever posted one review.

That is how they manage to maintain the illusion of being a "5 star" company.

Personally I'd rather walk than buy a car from them.

[av185]

The brake discs will probably be heavily corroded and battery goosed after nearly 5 months standing outside.

I would insist on these items being replaced together with a full official dealer service and brake fluid change before purchase.

[38911]

av185 said:

The brake discs will probably be heavily corroded and battery goosed after nearly 5 months standing outside.

I would insist on these items being replaced together with a full official dealer service and brake fluid change before purchase.

Unlikely. Dealers aren't stupid - they're not going to neglect a car and let it deteriorate to the point that it starts to cost them money recommissioning it. Most dealers shuffle their stock around every few weeks to keep the lot looking fresh - and cars are driven occasionally - test drives etc.

[twokcc]

From previous posts about Arnold clark supplied cars I would be getting an RAC Inspection done before making the trip. If its got rusty discs etc they will pick it up together with any other faults that they find on inspection or test drive. The also do a paint thickness test which will tell if car had been repainted. Well worth the money in my opinion. Can increse you bargaining power or get any work done before you collect car.
Maybe prevent" I've just bought a car from********* and if got this fault and dealer wants me to return car to them so the can fix it" post

[av185]

38911 said:

Dealers aren't stupid

[Monkeylegend]

Five months over the summer is hardly likely to have caused any big issues.

[loskie]

50p shaped tyres?