Pulling out of a deal. Where do I stand?

[TeaVR]

So, today I left a deposit on an electric car with a main dealer. I haven't seen the car yet, all conversations were via email and telephone.

Like the idiot I am (and a newbie to electric cars), I thought it would be a simple task to get a wall charger installed into my garage (which already has power). However, reading around this, I'm not sure it's as easy as it may be a big job (without going into details). I also thought that granny charging would be an option, but reading around that, it doesn't seem safe!

I've booked an electrician for early next week. I'm hoping that he says its possible, BUT, if he doesn't, I'm in the poo.

Before handing over a deposit, I asked the dealer if the deposit would be refunded if I didn't like the car in the flesh. He stated that it would. However, reading the order form (that I have signed), this is at the dealers discression. So, if I pull out of the deal, I'll technically be risking the deposit.

So, Pistonheaders, what are my options here

1. Will a main dealer sting me for the deposit if I pull out
2. Shoudl I be honest with them and explain my circumstances
3. Should I test drive and reject the car
3.1 What reason could I give?

I know... I know, I'm an idiot, but I'd appreciate some advice.

Thanks

[vaud]

• What is the car model?
• What charging KW does it need (low, medium, high)?

[Catnip64]

I'm fairly sure that with a distance sale like this your deposit is refundable if you don't go ahead with the purchase once viewing the car.

[TeaVR]

vaud said:

• What is the car model?
• What charging KW does it need (low, medium, high)?

Volvo XC40

[samoht]

I've been driving an EV for 2.5 years and many thousand miles using exclusively a three-pin ("granny") charger. As long as your garage electrical socket & wiring is in decent condition, it'll be absolutely fine. Maybe ask the electrician to have a quick look at the existing wiring and see if he would anticipate any issues with drawing continuous 10A through it?


Separately I'd be very surprised if a main dealer didn't return a deposit put down on a car the customer hasn't even seen yet.

Edited by samoht on Thursday 12th March 23:41

[TeaVR]

samoht said:

I've been driving an EV for 2.5 years and many thousand miles using exclusively a three-pin ("granny") charger. As long as your garage electrical socket & wiring is in decent condition, it'll be absolutely fine. Maybe ask the electrician to have a quick look at the existing wiring and see if he would anticipate any issues with drawing continuous 10A through it?


Separately I'd be very surprised if a main dealer didn't return a deposit put down on a car the customer hasn't even seen yet.

Edited by samoht on Thursday 12th March 23:41

Good shout on getting the electrician to give the garage a once over and OK it for granny charging. I'm hoping he'll look at the existing wiring and be able to fit a wall box. Fingers crossed.

[paul_c123]

Catnip64 said:

I'm fairly sure that with a distance sale like this your deposit is refundable if you don't go ahead with the purchase once viewing the car.

The deposit is fully refundable IF its a distance sale, which it currently is, because you've not yet visited the dealership. If you visit to see the car before completing the deal, it ceases to be a distance sale and the deposit does not need to be returned (in law). It sounds like the dealer has offered deposit return though, based on their discretion.

It would be sensible to delay any visit to the dealer until you're 100% sure of the situation regarding charging capability at home. If your house can't have a fixed charger fitted but is okay with a 10A granny charger, it is a viable option (and many people do it) but obviously you need to do the maths to be happy you can charge at a sufficient rate to match the car's usage.

[Russet Grange]

TeaVR said:

So, Pistonheaders, what are my options here

1. Will a main dealer sting me for the deposit if I pull out
2. Shoudl I be honest with them and explain my circumstances
3. Should I test drive and reject the car
3.1 What reason could I give?

I know... I know, I'm an idiot, but I'd appreciate some advice.

Thanks

Respectfully:

1 - Ask them. People on here can only speculate
2 - Yes, absolutely. Being honest is the right thing to do
3 - No. It wastes his time