Car ads vs AI

[Hoofy]

It's really annoying when you're trying to find out about a car.

Classic example: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19908999

The seller might as well have just copypasted the F-Type entry from Wikipedia. That's all CGPT did.

Two massive paragraphs of noise.

It's as bad as the dodgy ads you got in the past "Grey, alloys, good condition" but with more noise.

[ruhall]

I've often wondered about some of the adverts, on various platforms, where the adverts read as if they've been written by some govt spin guru who has never been outside the office and has no idea what they're talking about.

This applies to some of the larger dealers / groups as well, and makes you wonder what level of service you'd receive if you visited their premises. I doubt that I'm the only potential customer put off by this sort of BS.

[Richard-390a0]

I immediately click away & on to the next one as soon as I read the first line of dribble which is irrelevant to the actual details of the individual vehicle I'm interested in.

"This Volkswagen Golf GTI is the perfect blend of sporty performance and everyday practicality, making it an ideal choice for those who refuse to compromise. You ll love this vehicle for its dynamic driving experience, stylish design, and the sheer joy it brings to every journey!" blah blah blah...

Five paragraphs of waffle & the only details directly relating to the car - colour, mileage, year & hp. Nothing about service history, warranty, specs, length of MOT etc etc...

& then - This vehicle’s history. Owners. - Contact seller, Keys. - Contact seller, Service history. - Contact seller...

Edited by Richard-390a0 on Thursday 5th March 11:47

[Hoofy]

Yep to both replies, it's annoying but also does make you wonder. And at a basic level, they're really not even looking at the ad from the prospective buyer's viewpoint.

[nvubu]

Hoofy said:

Yep to both replies, it's annoying but also does make you wonder. And at a basic level, they're really not even looking at the ad from the prospective buyer's viewpoint.

Exactly this.

I'm looking for a replacement car at the moment and the things that frustrate me in addition are:

Hidden numberplate - why, just why?
Very few or no images - private sellers are quite good at this, not sure how they expect to sell the vehicle.
Seller doesn't reply to questions - mainly the question being please can I have the registration and/or when are you posting some pictures.
Repeated pictures of the same view - 5 pictures of the drivers seat, all from slightly different angles.

I have no interest it seeing the list of what equipment the car had when new - I've done my research (I hope) so know this. I'd really like to know what the car has now - so 2 keys? a charging cable, load cover, what the tyres are like, what optional equipment is fitted - steering wheel heater, sun roof etc. A clear photo of each of these would do. It shouldn't be that difficult in this day and age.

[Xenoous]

I can't stand it. I'm currently going through this as I'm looking at Focus ST's, and it seems that perhaps 7-8 ads our of 10 are this AI nonsense. I care about previous owners, service history, standard or modified... So frustrating.

[Josemartinez]

I'm glad it's not just me that thinks those sort of adverts are pointless and lazy

[georgeyboy12345]

Look at this ad I found. Surely they are taking the piss, right?

[paul_c123]

You don't see many Astra Gs on the road any more.

[Decky_Q]

I'm guessing the offside rear wheel is the spare that's been sitting in a boot full of water.

[CMTMB]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Look at this ad I found. Surely they are taking the piss, right?

I'm a bit of an Astra G fan, had 3 of them but that's definitely pushing it

[CMTMB]

Richard-390a0 said:

I immediately click away & on to the next one as soon as I read the first line of dribble which is irrelevant to the actual details of the individual vehicle I'm interested in.

I do the same and I imagine we're not alone. I don't understand it, just seems incredibly lazy and short sighted.

[Xenoous]

Another... Honestly, it's dumb.

Advert states said:

Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round, because today we're diving into a car that truly embodies the spirit of the everyday hero the Ford Focus 2.0 Focus ST-2 T 5dr. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Jeremy, it's just a Ford Focus." But let me assure you, this is no ordinary hatchback.

First off, let's talk about the heart of this beast. Under the bonnet, you'll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that's ready to unleash a symphony of power and performance. It's the kind of engine that makes you want to take the long way home, just to feel that surge of adrenaline as you put your foot down. And with 67,392 miles on the clock, this Focus has still got plenty of life left in it like a fine wine, it's only getting better with age.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603230916623

[Hoofy]

Xenoous said:

Another... Honestly, it's dumb.

Advert states said:

Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round, because today we're diving into a car that truly embodies the spirit of the everyday hero the Ford Focus 2.0 Focus ST-2 T 5dr. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Jeremy, it's just a Ford Focus." But let me assure you, this is no ordinary hatchback.

First off, let's talk about the heart of this beast. Under the bonnet, you'll find a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that's ready to unleash a symphony of power and performance. It's the kind of engine that makes you want to take the long way home, just to feel that surge of adrenaline as you put your foot down. And with 67,392 miles on the clock, this Focus has still got plenty of life left in it like a fine wine, it's only getting better with age.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603230916623

90% ste with the only things we want to know:
Ford Focus 2.0 Focus ST-2 T 5dr
67,392 miles on the clock

Suddenly, I'm wondering - if they use all these words like Boris Johnson on LSD, what are they trying to hide?

I feel it's only appropriate to write back using Chatgpt to generate 5 paragraphs of text that basically asks: Would you accept £500 off the asking price?

---

Good afternoon,

I recently came across your advert for the Ford Focus ST-2 and felt compelled to get in touch, not only because the car itself caught my attention, but also because the description genuinely stood out from the usual sea of listings. It’s not often you read something that brings a bit of character and enthusiasm to what is, at its core, a practical purchase decision, and I appreciated the effort that clearly went into presenting the car in such an engaging way.

Having taken a closer look at the details you’ve provided, the mileage appears to sit comfortably within a range that suggests both regular use and careful ownership. It’s reassuring to see a car that hasn’t simply been left idle, but also hasn’t been excessively driven. I’d be particularly interested in understanding how it performs in everyday conditions, as my usage would likely involve a balance of shorter commutes alongside occasional longer drives, where comfort, responsiveness, and dependability all become equally important considerations.

The choice of silver as the exterior finish is also something that has grown on me the more I think about it. While it may not be the most attention-grabbing colour at first glance, it carries a certain timelessness and understated appeal that tends to age well and remain easy to live with. From your description, it sounds as though the car presents itself very well, and I would be keen to hear a little more about its overall condition, including any service history, maintenance records, or recent work that has been carried out to keep it in good order.

Taking all of that into account, and assuming that everything aligns as expected upon further discussion or viewing, I would certainly be interested in progressing things without unnecessary delay, as the car seems to strike a particularly appealing balance between everyday usability and a more engaging driving experience; with that in mind, I wondered whether you might be open to a small adjustment on the price and would consider accepting £500 off the asking figure.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 23 March 12:27

[Swfc1889]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Look at this ad I found. Surely they are taking the piss, right?

They’ve got a point about turning heads, certainly the Police, it’s got No Tax/No licence/Driving on a ban/Pissed written all over it.

[Mr Peel]

Ebay is increasingly like this too. It's so short-sighted. Yes it's easier for the seller to post an ad, but that just pushes the grief onto the buyer, who can't find the info they need.

Seems to be part of this 'ensttification' trend: basically the internet getting less good.

[Terminator X]

nvubu said:

Exactly this.

I'm looking for a replacement car at the moment and the things that frustrate me in addition are:

Hidden numberplate - why, just why?
Very few or no images - private sellers are quite good at this, not sure how they expect to sell the vehicle.
Seller doesn't reply to questions - mainly the question being please can I have the registration and/or when are you posting some pictures.
Repeated pictures of the same view - 5 pictures of the drivers seat, all from slightly different angles.

I have no interest it seeing the list of what equipment the car had when new - I've done my research (I hope) so know this. I'd really like to know what the car has now - so 2 keys? a charging cable, load cover, what the tyres are like, what optional equipment is fitted - steering wheel heater, sun roof etc. A clear photo of each of these would do. It shouldn't be that difficult in this day and age.

I always hide my plate. Better imho to not have images of car and plate on t'internet.

TX.

[Hoofy]

Mr Peel said:

Seems to be part of this 'ensttification' trend: basically the internet getting less good.

That seems to make sense to me. Wonder when the peak was?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Terminator X said:

I always hide my plate. Better imho to not have images of car and plate on t'internet.

TX.

I tend to pixilate the car as well. Just incase someone prints it off for malintentions.

[Its Just Adz]

A certain specialist sports car dealer does this.
They recently advertised a Cayman GT4 is a stunning colour with loads of options.
The ad was just all AI drivel with no mention of the options or spec at all.
Just annoying.