Dealer standards

[pdc41]

Hi,

I know this question is a bit how long is a piece of string but.... What standard of finish of a second hand car should I expect from a dealer

I am looking at. 2009 or 2010 v8 and realise it will not be new, but can I expect stone chips to be sorted, interior pristine etc or am as my wife says I am too OCD

Also seen a couple where the stereo and AC display is scratched so its looks reall dull, is this normal and can't be repaired?

Thanks

[bomberh]

First of all the dealer will say that it is a "pre owned car" never second hand, but its just a play on words.

A 09 or 10 plate car should be in good condition in the first place. However, most things are negotiable. The dealer should get the car to a good spec inside and out (that's detailed and clean and polished) and if you are going to an Aston dealer, they will have completed their 140 point check regarding the running of the car. (There are some bad stories on here about people purchasing pre owned from an Aston dealer and things go horribly wrong a mile down the road, but that's another story)
You obviously need Grants book to know what to look for. Then you need to have a really good look at the outside and inside and then take into consideration the age of the car and fair wear and tear.

On a 09 or 10 plate there shouldn't be too much to worry about. It also depends what the dealer is prepared to do. The stone chips for instance, I wouldn't expect the dealer to put a car for sale with bad stone chips and also badly scuffed alloys. But these are the things you should be looking at.

I wouldn't expect the screen on the stereo to be scratched, but its that wear and tear thing again. If it was a 05 plate it might be something that they wouldn't repair or you would have to live with it. But again on a 09 or 10 plate, that shouldn't be problem. Again it also depends how the previous owner has looked after it too.

Take your time and discuss it with the dealer. If they don't want to play ball, find another one that will. If it is the car of your dreams, then you have to make some decisions.

Get the book study it inside and out and then go looking, that's my advice.

[Jon39]

You are clearly looking for perfection, and if like me, you want your purchase to be a 'keeper', then quite right.

Many Aston Martins are treasured and well cared for by their owners, so therefore you do have a very good chance of finding a car, that looks brand new.

A scratched radio front would probably be expensive to deal with, so therefore unlikely a dealer would do anything. Mind you, if someone has been careless with that, then what else?

Very tiny stone chips at the front are inevitable, but anything more noticeable ought to be repaired by the dealer (ie negotiable within the purchase).

You are inspecting carefully which is wise. A forum member recently complained about appearance faults after purchase. Problems.

Good luck with your search. They are wonderful cars.

[Kelsy]

Search search search for the right car. I walked away from several before finding the right one. If there is any type of damage or marks then its not the right car for YOU(sounds like you are like me - OCD). Walk away. That car is just meant for another owner who is prepared to accept slight floors. You will know when you have found the right car! You WILL know. However that may come at a price

[mikey k]

I had a list of 23 points the dealer sorted on my first car including a new head light, resprayed rear bumper new tyres etc
Just list them and haggle

[pdc41]

Thanks for all

I have seen a car that matches what I am after in terms os spec and price but to be specific the followign is worrying me and as before not sure if I am just being unrealistic (it took me an aged to pick the wife, I have a tendancy to find the issues)

2010 plate with 18k

My issues interior

Scratched pannel on radio display, very noticable and may be result of a cleaning effort as it lots of little ones
Sports seats heavilly worn - dealer is going to fix, but again would this be expected
Chrome arm rest mechanisum losing its sheen
Ligth nicks and scratches on centre plastic part of console and arm rests - piono facia in good condition

Rest ofn interior seems ok, but does sort of need a realy good valet - surely they cover that

Exterior

Few small stone chips on the bonnet - dealer informed me on these and will not fix

Good points

Wheel no kerbing
rest of paitwork spot on
rest of interior seems ok


Re looking, I have been for a year, as above the challenge is cake and eating it for the spec and budget and missed out on two already



Is there any "independant" ways of looking at the car oputside of the dealer to get some comfort.

I am also tired of having to hear the same thing from the dealers...

"out trouble is stock, I can sell these all day long, they sell themselves"

[drcarrera]

As per Mikey I had a (fairly long) list of things I wanted fixing as part of the deal. Mainly stone chips on the outside and leather scuffs on the inside, but also new sill plates and a new wheel.

In my experience the dealers prep the cars mechanically and clean them prior to selling but leave the minor cosmetic stuff - I guess in the hope the buyer won't ask for it all to be done! Some prep better then others though - quite how my "local" dealer expected anyone to be interested in a one year old car with collapsing A pillar trim, rusty metal bits (on the inside!), water stains on the parcel shelf and trim, badly kerbed alloys etc I'll never know!

Anyway, expect to have a list of minor rectification items and ensure the dealer lists them on the bill of sale.

[F1 NDW]

pdc41 said:

Thanks for all

I have seen a car that matches what I am after in terms os spec and price but to be specific the followign is worrying me and as before not sure if I am just being unrealistic (it took me an aged to pick the wife, I have a tendancy to find the issues)

2010 plate with 18k

My issues interior

Scratched pannel on radio display, very noticable and may be result of a cleaning effort as it lots of little ones
Sports seats heavilly worn - dealer is going to fix, but again would this be expected
Chrome arm rest mechanisum losing its sheen
Ligth nicks and scratches on centre plastic part of console and arm rests - piono facia in good condition

Rest ofn interior seems ok, but does sort of need a realy good valet - surely they cover that

Exterior

Few small stone chips on the bonnet - dealer informed me on these and will not fix

Good points

Wheel no kerbing
rest of paitwork spot on
rest of interior seems ok


Re looking, I have been for a year, as above the challenge is cake and eating it for the spec and budget and missed out on two already



Is there any "independant" ways of looking at the car oputside of the dealer to get some comfort.

I am also tired of having to hear the same thing from the dealers...

"out trouble is stock, I can sell these all day long, they sell themselves"

The description you give here is not of someone’s cherished pride and joy. Also the items of wear you mention don’t seem to reflect the mileage. Last year there was an interesting thread about Astons being clocked. I am sure they are not immune.

[AMDBSNick]

F1 NDW said:

The description you give here is not of someone’s cherished pride and joy. Also the items of wear you mention don’t seem to reflect the mileage. Last year there was an interesting thread about Astons being clocked. I am sure they are not immune.

+1

My ole snotter has done 14500 miles and the seats are as good as new

[Gettoff]

AMDBSNick said:

+1

My ole snotter has done 14500 miles and the seats are as good as new

Is that the entire seat or just the pimpdaddy centre sections?

[AMDBSNick]

Gettoff said:

Is that the entire seat or just the pimpdaddy centre sections?

Can't imagine what you are on about - git

[jeremydb9]

I bought via Stratsone and they did 100% of what I asked for - which was about 20 items.

Knowing what I know now I would have been even more fussy to be honest and added a few items.

The seat leather is overly soft and on mine a 44,000 2007 the drivers right seat bolster is slightly worn.

Unless the car is very high miles I would be surprised to see real wear.

[Jon39]

The faults you list pdc, give me bad vibes.

A dealer might say, "We will fix it", but some of the items of damage are not easy to fix properly. The ladies and men who make the new seat covers at Gaydon, do a wonderful job. I don't think a damaged seat could be repaired as new very easily.

I waited over a year for my car. Don't agree to buy unless you are happy about everything.

On this forum occasionally, a car's identity has been revealed, and it turns out to be a known vehicle. Perhaps ask to see the registration certificate.

[pdc41]

Jon 39 you say...On this forum occasionally, a car's identity has been revealed, and it turns out to be a known vehicle. Perhaps ask to see the registration certificate

I have the reg number could I use that?

The dealer says they know the owner, but they always say that

[V12Vantage]

When buying my first Aston, I looked at quite a few pre owned cars and couldn't find what I wanted condition wise. In the end I bought a new car, it cost quite a bit more. however, I was 100% happy with it and for me this largly justified the extra expenditure. You might be lucky and find a nearly new, pre registered, undriven car with a good deal on it.

[krisdelta]

AMDBSNick said:

+1

My ole snotter has done 14500 miles and the seats are as good as new

+2 My even older ('07) snotter has 42k and has only mild signs of creasing on the bolster - and I use it every day.

[steveatesh]

V12Vantage said:

When buying my first Aston, I looked at quite a few pre owned cars and couldn't find what I wanted condition wise. In the end I bought a new car, it cost quite a bit more. however, I was 100% happy with it and for me this largly justified the extra expenditure. You might be lucky and find a nearly new, pre registered, undriven car with a good deal on it.

Which is exactly how I got mine. Went in for a second hand car, ended up buying a new one.

[Jon39]

pdc41 said:

.... On this forum occasionally, a car's identity has been revealed, and it turns out to be a known vehicle.

You could try posting a photo and the reg no.
Registrations on these cars are often changed, but there is a small chance that someone might know something.

I recall a post a while ago, describing an Aston Martin being driven erratically.
Very quickly a contributor gave a detailed explanation - rental car.

Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 1st August 18:17