Main Dealer (German) Used Car With Accident Damage

[vanman1936]

So, found myself a lovely 4 door coupe - £50k car, 2021 plate.

Agreed a deal.

HPI clear.

Saw “repair” on the service record they shared, details not shown. Asked for the details and it showed a fairly comprehensive front corner repair had been carried out.

Pretty p@@@ed off, they said they had been open, but I had to find it. Effectively an insurance claim level of work, paid cash I guess so no HPI record.

No doubt the car repair was to a good standard, but didn’t want to take the resale risk. Appreciate others would.

Do your diligence people.

[Sir Bagalot]

vanman1936 said:

Effectively an insurance claim level of work, paid cash I guess so no HPI record.

HPI will only record a written off claim, not repairable damage. HPI won't even show you if the car was sold at a salvage auction but a VCheck will.

Many won't mind a bit of damage if repaired properly, on a £50K car I'm with you. Any previous damage then I walk

[CloudStuff]

The German brand main dealers are, almost with exception, absolute shysters. Cowboys, do not trust, and always verify.

[vanman1936]

I did a VCheck - must have been a cash repair.

It was their attitude that annoyed me, like they had been open all along.

[Torquey]

I'm going to guess about 50% of cars at 5 years old have been repaired from some kind of damage.

I don't think the dealer is doing much wrong by overlooking it, so long as its not insurance categorised damage. But for 50k you have every right to be picky.

[_Hoppers]

vanman1936 said:

I did a VCheck - must have been a cash repair.

It was their attitude that annoyed me, like they had been open all along.

I didn’t think Vcheck showed whether a car has had an insurance repair, only if it’s been written off?

[dmsims]

I know you shouldn't need one but a Paint Thickness Tester is an invaluable tool

A Porsche I was looking at had the whole front end repainted (and not just for cosmetics)

[Sir Bagalot]

_Hoppers said:

vanman1936 said:

I did a VCheck - must have been a cash repair.

It was their attitude that annoyed me, like they had been open all along.

I didn t think Vcheck showed whether a car has had an insurance repair, only if it s been written off?

No check shows repairs. VCheck also shows if the vehicle was sold at a salvage auction

[CMTMB]

I understand being picky on a £50k car, I'd probably be the same but I don't think a bit of repair work on a 5 year old car is particularly unusual and I wouldn't expect a dealer to point it out.

[Panamax]

^^ This. If you want a new car, buy a new car.

[vanman1936]

My reflections are that a bit of work is fine, but this is a full front corner rebuild and would show up when I come to sell it (if someone calls BMW to validate history).

Also, I don’t think it’s 50% of 5-6 year old cars have meaningful damage in their history, I mean most of my acquaintances haven’t had a bigger dink in the last 5 years. Sure a bumper, panel repair is to be expected.

Ultimately, it’s about resale risk for me.

Will look at a paint thickness thingy. Good suggestion.

[steveo3002]

scuffed bumper corner repainted well = fine

decent amount of crash damage = choose another one

[JimmyConwayNW]

I think any car that has paint should just go to the scrapyard.

[simon_harris]

JimmyConwayNW said:

I think any car that has paint should just go to the scrapyard.

what an utterly ludicrous position to take.

[Daytonagrey]

Sir Bagalot said:

No check shows repairs. VCheck also shows if the vehicle was sold at a salvage auction

Car vertical does.

[jamesb2]

This happens all the time and many new cars have extensive damage repaired that is not recorded. My Audi had a 21k parts bill plus labour of damage at 13 days old (hit a deer) and was repaired by a VAG group approved repair company
The repair really is good as new and 6 months later has given no problems at all. I think it is all in the quality of the repair!