Approved used - bit underhand?
Discussion
blue_haddock said:
Pica-Pica said:
RetroPug said:
Why would you be miffed at having to replace tyres that have worn down with use? They're consumables.
The cambelt isn't a warranty item, it is part of the ongoing cost of maintaining a vehicle. You could probably get it done cheaper at a specialist though rather than the main dealer.
This. The cambelt isn't a warranty item, it is part of the ongoing cost of maintaining a vehicle. You could probably get it done cheaper at a specialist though rather than the main dealer.
FieldAtlanta said:
But my point is, do we agree that the average 50yr old, non-car person should be expected to do this <i.e. research, check things etc> when buying from a main dealer?
Going against the general consensus, I think that the OP has some kind of a point. Not because the dealership have actually broken their obligations to his father in any strict sense, or lied in any way - but because "approved used" is deliberately intended to sound like it means "You don't have to worry about anything. We've checked it out. It's all good."They wouldn't put "mechanically sound right now, but we make no guarantees about the life left in the tyres, and it could well need a major service in the next few months" on the posters, because they don't want you to think those things, even though they are true, and encompassed, evidently, by the term "Audi Approved Used".
In spite of all that, I doubt he'll get anywhere with the dealership and, uninterested in cars though he may be, he could have avoided these issues with 10 minutes on google researching "things to check when buying a used car" so he's not completely off the hook.
FieldAtlanta said:
Have advised my old man to have a reasonable chat with the dealer principle, explain he’s surprised and not especially happy and ask how they might be willing to help out a long term customer.
I think this was the wrong advice to give him, because even with a discount from Audi, he'll probably still save a significant sum by taking it to a small, trusted independent. IME, a decent independent garage will have no problem with a cambelt change.Bennet said:
FieldAtlanta said:
But my point is, do we agree that the average 50yr old, non-car person should be expected to do this <i.e. research, check things etc> when buying from a main dealer?
Going against the general consensus, I think that the OP has some kind of a point. Not because the dealership have actually broken their obligations to his father in any strict sense, or lied in any way - but because "approved used" is deliberately intended to sound like it means "You don't have to worry about anything. We've checked it out. It's all good."They wouldn't put "mechanically sound right now, but we make no guarantees about the life left in the tyres, and it could well need a major service in the next few months" on the posters, because they don't want you to think those things, even though they are true, and encompassed, evidently, by the term "Audi Approved Used".
In spite of all that, I doubt he'll get anywhere with the dealership and, uninterested in cars though he may be, he could have avoided these issues with 10 minutes on google researching "things to check when buying a used car" so he's not completely off the hook.
FieldAtlanta said:
Have advised my old man to have a reasonable chat with the dealer principle, explain he’s surprised and not especially happy and ask how they might be willing to help out a long term customer.
I think this was the wrong advice to give him, because even with a discount from Audi, he'll probably still save a significant sum by taking it to a small, trusted independent. IME, a decent independent garage will have no problem with a cambelt change.Though to be fair, this is the sort of reason why people PCP or lease. If they dont want to deal with an independent garage, the tyres and cam belt might be circa 4 months of payments! But we had a thread saying that people who PCP/lease are apparently stupid a few weeks ago... So you cant win!
FieldAtlanta said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Draxindustries1 said:
It's like whinging
A bit unfair. OP has come to a motoring site for unbiased views. Tyres worn out in 4k miles. Don't suppose you might have looked at the tyres and tread depth before buying?
Cambelt due at 5years/160k. Don't suppose you might have done a bit of homework before paying for the car?
Why does everyone think they are owed something for their own failings?
These are consumable items. It's part of running a car. It has nothing at all to do with the dealership, Audi or anyone other than the person who bought the car.
Does you dad also take his beans back to the supermarket because nobody told him he'd need a tin opener?
I would assume (perhaps wrongly) that your dad has been driving a few years, and has realised things like cambelts, but more importantly tyres do need replacing. I also assume (perhaps wrongly) he knows how to check tread depth on tyres?
He bought a four and a half year old car, why does he, or you, expect it to be like brand new?
I used to value approved used. I still have one on the driveway although it's long past its warranty status.
I don't really anymore. But I will likely stick to main dealer rather than going private.
Buying from the main dealer, car dependent, age dependent, means you can easily get the extended manufacturers warranty rather than the dealer warranty. I know it's possible privately too but less easy to find. I haggled manufacturers rather than dealers on a purchase recently, probably not worth much of a difference but made me feel better.
Approved used in my experience doesn't guarantee a better car. There's a comfort zone with the warranties but that's all it is. I've bought an approved used car that's obviously been in an accident and when pointing it out to the sales bloke he just said it passed all their multi point checks.
I don't really anymore. But I will likely stick to main dealer rather than going private.
Buying from the main dealer, car dependent, age dependent, means you can easily get the extended manufacturers warranty rather than the dealer warranty. I know it's possible privately too but less easy to find. I haggled manufacturers rather than dealers on a purchase recently, probably not worth much of a difference but made me feel better.
Approved used in my experience doesn't guarantee a better car. There's a comfort zone with the warranties but that's all it is. I've bought an approved used car that's obviously been in an accident and when pointing it out to the sales bloke he just said it passed all their multi point checks.
My view looks like its not with the majority here, I would have expected it done.
I recently bought a VW approved used 6 year old car. Service wasn't due for 6 months but was done. Front discs and pads were replaced. I was told they were replaced because they would have needed replacing within 12 months and anything including consumables, that would need to be replaced within 12 months would be.
In my view that is why an AUC costs a bit more than buying from an independent.
I recently bought a VW approved used 6 year old car. Service wasn't due for 6 months but was done. Front discs and pads were replaced. I was told they were replaced because they would have needed replacing within 12 months and anything including consumables, that would need to be replaced within 12 months would be.
In my view that is why an AUC costs a bit more than buying from an independent.
goingonholiday said:
My view looks like its not with the majority here, I would have expected it done.
I recently bought a VW approved used 6 year old car. Service wasn't due for 6 months but was done. Front discs and pads were replaced. I was told they were replaced because they would have needed replacing within 12 months and anything including consumables, that would need to be replaced within 12 months would be.
In my view that is why an AUC costs a bit more than buying from an independent.
I've had some very expensive things replaced under manufacture plans but good dealer franchise.I recently bought a VW approved used 6 year old car. Service wasn't due for 6 months but was done. Front discs and pads were replaced. I was told they were replaced because they would have needed replacing within 12 months and anything including consumables, that would need to be replaced within 12 months would be.
In my view that is why an AUC costs a bit more than buying from an independent.
- Air con replacement at no charge
- Leaking injectors, no charge
- Dodgy took ages to work out the problem wipers fluid routing to sort, no charge
In every case it was having a good local dealer rather than one who'd haggle over every penny. Probably helped that I was a repeat customer but I think they'd give the same service to anyone. They are AUC. But some on here would look down because they're Ford.
covmutley said:
blue_haddock said:
Pica-Pica said:
RetroPug said:
Why would you be miffed at having to replace tyres that have worn down with use? They're consumables.
The cambelt isn't a warranty item, it is part of the ongoing cost of maintaining a vehicle. You could probably get it done cheaper at a specialist though rather than the main dealer.
This. The cambelt isn't a warranty item, it is part of the ongoing cost of maintaining a vehicle. You could probably get it done cheaper at a specialist though rather than the main dealer.
Whilst I feel his discomfort I do believe that whatever you are buying you do your research first.
I bought a fiesta years ago and it was overdue a timing belt change. Checked the paperwork with the dealer, realised it hadn't had it done and we agreed to split the cost.
Same with the tyres, check the depth on purchase then factor in that cost.
Sry OP but a pricey lesson learnt.
I bought a fiesta years ago and it was overdue a timing belt change. Checked the paperwork with the dealer, realised it hadn't had it done and we agreed to split the cost.
Same with the tyres, check the depth on purchase then factor in that cost.
Sry OP but a pricey lesson learnt.
My mum, bless her, wouldn't have had a clue to ask about anything and would have assumed all good/fully covered for at least the warranty period....I suspect many people do the same.
Mind you, that's why I don't let her do anything car related without me. It's also why I always call her when need help with my kids as she has 40 years worth of experience more than me
Mind you, that's why I don't let her do anything car related without me. It's also why I always call her when need help with my kids as she has 40 years worth of experience more than me
He probably should have been a bit more savvy as a buyer. Bit harsh too though. Lesson learned hopefully. Don't take it into the dealer, find a local specialist and get a quote from them, doubt it'll be anywhere near dealer pricing.
I recently bought a Golf R estate used from a VW dealers. Checked the service info and had them include an oil change, haldex fluid change and filter clean, diff fluid change, new rear tyres as they were on the limit for VW approved, and tidy up the minor paintwork blemishes.
I also managed to get 3 years servicing and 3 years cosmetic insurance thrown in too.
If I had waited 6 months and then gone in to moan about the haldex service needing doing then I suspect I'd be out of luck as they don't include that in the service plan.
I recently bought a Golf R estate used from a VW dealers. Checked the service info and had them include an oil change, haldex fluid change and filter clean, diff fluid change, new rear tyres as they were on the limit for VW approved, and tidy up the minor paintwork blemishes.
I also managed to get 3 years servicing and 3 years cosmetic insurance thrown in too.
If I had waited 6 months and then gone in to moan about the haldex service needing doing then I suspect I'd be out of luck as they don't include that in the service plan.
Stallzy said:
.. Another annoying thing I read about people part-exing to main dealers with a ton of previous paperwork, is because of this new GDPR stuff, they simply throw it in the bin or shred it in front of you, which kind of sucks because I love the idea of buying a used car which has lots of previous paperwork. Not sure how many others feel that way compared to just stamps.
I think thats a massive shame, quite often you can piece together a story behind certain bits of the history.Case in point, I just bought an old C70 convertible for a bit of fun. when I did a Vcheck the second owner bought it at just over a year old and owned it for a grand total of 11 weeks.
There is an invoice from a volvo dealer 3 weeks into his ownership stating:
"Checked all steering and suspension and found to be ok. Vehicle drives normally for a C70"
I guess he didn't like the scuttle shake!
chris1roll said:
Stallzy said:
.. Another annoying thing I read about people part-exing to main dealers with a ton of previous paperwork, is because of this new GDPR stuff, they simply throw it in the bin or shred it in front of you, which kind of sucks because I love the idea of buying a used car which has lots of previous paperwork. Not sure how many others feel that way compared to just stamps.
I think thats a massive shame, quite often you can piece together a story behind certain bits of the history.Case in point, I just bought an old C70 convertible for a bit of fun. when I did a Vcheck the second owner bought it at just over a year old and owned it for a grand total of 11 weeks.
There is an invoice from a volvo dealer 3 weeks into his ownership stating:
"Checked all steering and suspension and found to be ok. Vehicle drives normally for a C70"
I guess he didn't like the scuttle shake!
FieldAtlanta said:
He did not. Did you read my post? I absolutely agree and I would have acted different if it were me buying. But my point is, do we agree that the average 50yr old, non-car person should be expected to do this when buying from a main dealer?
That's just grey area between legal and ethical (I'm sure car salesmen here now will beat me with their virtual sticks 
). Ideally, they should have informed your old man about this if he was unaware. I've had this several times, (trying to sell me a car that major servicing approaching in a few months), and asked further discount immediately. Another thing, I hate bloody cambelts so always chose chain-driven now. On another note, my daily shed mk4 golf, timing belt was on its original since 1999 when I got it back in 2020 summer. My indy changed it immediately and he said it was the luckiest russian roulette he ever saw from a VW family 
JackJarvis said:
It would be unreasonable for a dealer to complete a service 6 months early - why would they? It's up to the buyer to check the service schedule and factor in any known costs when buying the car.
They might have done if you had asked.I bought an AUC 4 series which had 71k on the clock and the major service was due in 4-5 months time. BMW were happy to do it as part of the sale, presumably as I was prepared to pay a deposit and pull the full balance.
They also replaced 2 tyres which were bulging (although I never noticed this) and refurbed all four alloys, only one of which had a few marks.
Its surprising what dealers will do if you ask.
FieldAtlanta said:
Crudeoink said:
Did he not check the life of the belt or tyres before buying it ?
He did not. Did you read my post? I absolutely agree and I would have acted different if it were me buying. But my point is, do we agree that the average 50yr old, non-car person should be expected to do this when buying from a main dealer?He's 50 and presumably still has all his marbles. He's not a dementia-ridden 85 year old.
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