Buying an AUC

[Jazzerd]

Hi,

What (if any) extra precautions should I take when buying a BMW AUC?

Is an HPI check advisable? Should I ask then to confirm provenance, service history etc? Or can I relax and assume all this stuff is part of the AUC process?

I have a car in mind. It was previously supplied by this dealer and has 1 previous private owner.

[Blatcat]

Check Everything! I bought a 8 month old 335i only to find out down the line from another dealer it had had a number of panels re-sprayed.

[pattyg]

You'll get an HPI certificate with the car. Just don't expect it to be prepared anything like a new car or you'll be disappointed.

Personally I'd have a big look at the condition of the alloys (i.e. don't accept painted over imperfections) and the paintwork (look at it in bright sunshine for hologram and swirlmarks).

Good luck

[Pickled Piper]

IIRC correctly it should come with a HPI check and also confirmation of mileage and provenance. However, check the paperwork carefully and make sure that you receive what has been promised.

Normal visual inspection rules for the car apply. Make a snag list for any jobs that need doing; scratches and other faults etc. Don't assume they will fix anything unless you point it out and list it.

pp

[TonyRPH]

Pardon my ignorance, but what does 'AUC' stand for?

[Mattt]

Approved Used Car.

As above, check everything - paperwork, services, mileage, condition.

[TonyRPH]

Mattt said:

Approved Used Car.

Thanks. I would never have guessed.

[Beardy10]

I would NEVER ever buy a car even if it is AUC without physically inspecting it and test driving it myself first...I am staggered that people would do it. Most BMW dealers will think nothing of painting the front end of a car to hide a hard life and they won't always used the best bodyshops or even an in house one (the AUC dept is a different profit centre from the bodyshop so some go external as it's cheaper). One thing I would definitely check is when the car was built against when it was registered especially if you are looking for say something that was introduced in specific model year. Always check it has 4 matching tyres with decent tread left that are the correct spec and that the spare is okay.

[Raify]

Treat it like a used car from a private seller. I bought a AUC car that turned out to have fake wheels. BMW told me to get fd when I asked for a genuine set of BMW wheels.

[Beardy10]

Raify said:

Treat it like a used car from a private seller. I bought a AUC car that turned out to have fake wheels. BMW told me to get fd when I asked for a genuine set of BMW wheels.

A recurrent theme...once they have your money and you have the keys it's bloody hard getting your money back once all the distance selling regs/colling off periods etc have gone.

I'd ask for it in writing that the cars specification is as it left the factory i.e. original paintwork, oem parts etc. If they wont do that walk away....

[M5Dave]

Beardy10 said:

I'd ask for it in writing that the cars specification is as it left the factory i.e. original paintwork, oem parts etc. If they wont do that walk away....

How would you expect them to be able to do that, other than dismantleing the car and checking every part number with their parts dept to make sure it's genuine.

[Beardy10]

M5Dave said:

Beardy10 said:

I'd ask for it in writing that the cars specification is as it left the factory i.e. original paintwork, oem parts etc. If they wont do that walk away....

How would you expect them to be able to do that, other than dismantleing the car and checking every part number with their parts dept to make sure it's genuine.

Well when you trade a car into a BMW dealer you have to declare if it's had accident damage so they should be happy to make the same declaration....most expert assessors can spot body repairs or painting so they will know. You could extend it to all visible parts which covers the whole engine bay, suspension, drivetrain etc. I really meant it for all the parts that you would expect to be replaced during normal wear and tear bar bodywork.

[pattyg]

Desite the salesman stating that because my trade-in did not have full BMWSH it would not qualify as an AUC it was on their forecourt within a week. Filled panel and all.

[Jazzerd]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have had a look around the bodywork, wheels, brakes etc and had a fairly lengthy test drive and all seems nice and straight. Questioned salesman re any previous accident damage (with witness present) and was told it had none, so all good so far. Car looks good except for two(poorly)repaired stone chips which I have asked to be dealt with.

I've put down a deposit and now hope to get my grubby mitts on the car sometime this week

@ Raify. Your experience is off putting for sure, would expect better from AUC but I can certainly believe that they'd try pulling something like that. I remember reading of another manufacturer refusing warranty claims due to non standard wheels being fitted to car prior to it being sold through their own Approved used car scheme!

[baz1985]

I'd get the paint-depths checked too.

[Raify]

Jazzerd said:

@ Raify. Your experience is off putting for sure, would expect better from AUC but I can certainly believe that they'd try pulling something like that. I remember reading of another manufacturer refusing warranty claims due to non standard wheels being fitted to car prior to it being sold through their own Approved used car scheme!

To be honest, it's more likely to be the one scumbag garage I had the misfortune to visit, but it does highlight the weaknesses in the AUC system. It was particularly galling as they refused to part ex a MINI I had as it had non standard tyres (non ruin-flats)

AUC system does give you some comeback, but only if BMW UK are feeling generous which is why I always suggest treating the car to the normal checks.

[Beardy10]

Jazzerd said:

Questioned salesman re any previous accident damage (with witness present) and was told it had none, so all good so far.

Get it in writing! If there are any issues they will deny that conversation ever took place until you get in the steps of a court. You may have a witness but that won't concentrate the minds like a written statement. Can you imagine a BMW salesman ever admitting a car has been in an accident? Lets face it there are plenty of cars they sell that have been in minor accidents...even brand new ones!

[ferrisbueller]

baz1985 said:

I'd get the paint-depths checked too.

Will they actually do that for you or is that a job for an independent inspection?

[ferrisbueller]

Jazzerd said:

Hi,

What (if any) extra precautions should I take when buying a BMW AUC?

Is an HPI check advisable? Should I ask then to confirm provenance, service history etc? Or can I relax and assume all this stuff is part of the AUC process?

I have a car in mind. It was previously supplied by this dealer and has 1 previous private owner.

Check the car, check the paperwork and talk to the previous owner if possible. Get any issues you have prior to purchase written down and agreed and make sure they're sorted before you drive the car away. AUC is no better than buying from any other source - one would hope to have more come back vs BMW rather than a private seller though.

[Fox-]

I am often amazed by the condition of some of the AUC cars these days. Visible, noticeable scratches, shabby paintwork and a recurrent theme lately appears to be a large number of them being ex-hire cars from people like Drive Assist. I noticed several cars with Accident XChange window stickers and Drive Assist numberplates last time I was at a dealer.