Car buying in the current climate...click and collect etc
Discussion
I have found a little 125i cabriolet that looks really good and it sounds good having talked to the dealer about it, but they’re following the COVID guidance very strictly (ie no test drives).
Purchase is to be click and collect (contactless hand over etc) or delivery only. I’m slightly wary of buying a car that I’ve not even seen in the flesh, let alone sat in
What is the general consensus on this approach? I’ve had the usual assurances about refunds if I’m not happy with it etc, but it’s easy to say on the phone and is a different kettle of fish if the brown stuff hits the fan.
It certainly looks clean and tidy in the pictures and appears to have a good history (all checks out on VCheck).
I think one one fear is that there’s not much info about the dealer. They’re pretty small time with only a handful of cars for sale.
Purchase is to be click and collect (contactless hand over etc) or delivery only. I’m slightly wary of buying a car that I’ve not even seen in the flesh, let alone sat in
What is the general consensus on this approach? I’ve had the usual assurances about refunds if I’m not happy with it etc, but it’s easy to say on the phone and is a different kettle of fish if the brown stuff hits the fan.
It certainly looks clean and tidy in the pictures and appears to have a good history (all checks out on VCheck).
I think one one fear is that there’s not much info about the dealer. They’re pretty small time with only a handful of cars for sale.
If you're not happy with the terms of sale AND confident that the dealer is likely to honour those terms then walk away.
Trust your instinct after looking at as much evidence as you can - online reviews taken with a pinch of salt can be useful but ultimately you make a decision and then live with the consequences, good or bad.
There are plenty of cars and dealers out there.
Personally I wouldn't hand over cash without seeing the goods on a purchase of this magnitude but I am risk averse so make your own choice.
Trust your instinct after looking at as much evidence as you can - online reviews taken with a pinch of salt can be useful but ultimately you make a decision and then live with the consequences, good or bad.
There are plenty of cars and dealers out there.
Personally I wouldn't hand over cash without seeing the goods on a purchase of this magnitude but I am risk averse so make your own choice.
Tyre Tread said:
If you're not happy with the terms of sale AND confident that the dealer is likely to honour those terms then walk away.
Trust your instinct after looking at as much evidence as you can - online reviews taken with a pinch of salt can be useful but ultimately you make a decision and then live with the consequences, good or bad.
There are plenty of cars and dealers out there.
Personally I wouldn't hand over cash without seeing the goods on a purchase of this magnitude but I am risk averse so make your own choice.
Thanks.Trust your instinct after looking at as much evidence as you can - online reviews taken with a pinch of salt can be useful but ultimately you make a decision and then live with the consequences, good or bad.
There are plenty of cars and dealers out there.
Personally I wouldn't hand over cash without seeing the goods on a purchase of this magnitude but I am risk averse so make your own choice.
It’s just handing over the cash and not even seeing it in the flesh that is off putting.
My choice is limited to an extent because neither the 125 or 130’s of this era were big sellers. I know people who have bought far more expensive cars unseen (my uncle did with his M3). I could be overthinking it.
Court_S said:
Thanks.
It’s just handing over the cash and not even seeing it in the flesh that is off putting.
My choice is limited to an extent because neither the 125 or 130’s of this era were big sellers. I know people who have bought far more expensive cars unseen (my uncle did with his M3). I could be overthinking it.
I don't think you are overthinking it. I think your Spidey sense is tingling.It’s just handing over the cash and not even seeing it in the flesh that is off putting.
My choice is limited to an extent because neither the 125 or 130’s of this era were big sellers. I know people who have bought far more expensive cars unseen (my uncle did with his M3). I could be overthinking it.
If in doubt, walk away.
Court_S said:
Small dealer in Worcester.
Sounded like a nice enough chap on the phone but that counts for diddly squat in real life.
I’d probably avoid then. Very easy way for them to offload well presented lemons in the current conditions. Not necessarily the case, but with a small dealer you won’t have much in the way of comeback...Sounded like a nice enough chap on the phone but that counts for diddly squat in real life.
I did it with SWMBOs latest Hack (only a £5k Civic though).
Spoke to the dealer on the phone for ages and got a good feeling about him and the car, He promised to rectify any faults picked up on its mot before delivery,
I checked the Mot day before arrival,
Slight misting driver side shock, Front Discs scored, Front tyres near limit.
When it arrived it had New Discs and pads all round, new front shocks and 4 new tyres. (oh and 1/2 tank of fuel ).
So there are good ones out there.
Spoke to the dealer on the phone for ages and got a good feeling about him and the car, He promised to rectify any faults picked up on its mot before delivery,
I checked the Mot day before arrival,
Slight misting driver side shock, Front Discs scored, Front tyres near limit.
When it arrived it had New Discs and pads all round, new front shocks and 4 new tyres. (oh and 1/2 tank of fuel ).
So there are good ones out there.
pinchmeimdreamin said:
I did it with SWMBOs latest Hack (only a £5k Civic though).
Spoke to the dealer on the phone for ages and got a good feeling about him and the car, He promised to rectify any faults picked up on its mot before delivery,
I checked the Mot day before arrival,
Slight misting driver side shock, Front Discs scored, Front tyres near limit.
When it arrived it had New Discs and pads all round, new front shocks and 4 new tyres. (oh and 1/2 tank of fuel ).
So there are good ones out there.
That’s good to know. We’re talking similar values here (just over £5k). Spoke to the dealer on the phone for ages and got a good feeling about him and the car, He promised to rectify any faults picked up on its mot before delivery,
I checked the Mot day before arrival,
Slight misting driver side shock, Front Discs scored, Front tyres near limit.
When it arrived it had New Discs and pads all round, new front shocks and 4 new tyres. (oh and 1/2 tank of fuel ).
So there are good ones out there.
It was MOT’d in October. Advisories for rear tyres getting near the limit. It’s never failed a previous MOT.
I understand lots of people must be doing it currently, but not in a million years would I buy a car currently without even seeing it, let along driving it.
But then I suppose I found it odd that a salesperson would ask me why I wanted to open the bonnet of a car on their forecourt when we were looking for my Partners last car (a normal 10k 4 year old hatchback).
The key for me is that the difference in quality and condition of cars that might on paper appear to be exactly the same, and cost the same, can be astounding.
But then I suppose I found it odd that a salesperson would ask me why I wanted to open the bonnet of a car on their forecourt when we were looking for my Partners last car (a normal 10k 4 year old hatchback).
The key for me is that the difference in quality and condition of cars that might on paper appear to be exactly the same, and cost the same, can be astounding.
Got to say I'm in the same position and it's making me a bit uncomfortable.
I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is that rare or just the current time of year and state of the country means there's not much going up for sale but there seems to be very little on the market that fits what I'm after. Plus added bonus I'm based in the deep dark south-west so finding anything suitable local is almost impossible and anything I buy would have to be done blind which is slightly terrifying when dropping £10k plus.
Doesn't help that I'm deeply impatient when buying cars and once I've decided to replace or add to the fleet I just want to get on with it!
I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is that rare or just the current time of year and state of the country means there's not much going up for sale but there seems to be very little on the market that fits what I'm after. Plus added bonus I'm based in the deep dark south-west so finding anything suitable local is almost impossible and anything I buy would have to be done blind which is slightly terrifying when dropping £10k plus.
Doesn't help that I'm deeply impatient when buying cars and once I've decided to replace or add to the fleet I just want to get on with it!
Edited by MiniMan64 on Wednesday 30th December 14:49
MiniMan64 said:
Got to say I'm in the same position and it's making me a bit uncomfortable.
I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is that rare or just the current time of year and state of the country means there's not much going up for sale. Plus added bonus I'm based in the deep dark south-west so finding anything suitable local is almost impossible and anything I buy would have to be done blind which is slightly terrifying when dropping £10k plus.
Doesn't help that I'm deeply impatient when buying cars and once I've decided to replace or add to the fleet I just want to get on with it!
For what its worth I dont think its anything to do with 'rarity' or the type of car, more the dealer and their level of care and preparation. I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is that rare or just the current time of year and state of the country means there's not much going up for sale. Plus added bonus I'm based in the deep dark south-west so finding anything suitable local is almost impossible and anything I buy would have to be done blind which is slightly terrifying when dropping £10k plus.
Doesn't help that I'm deeply impatient when buying cars and once I've decided to replace or add to the fleet I just want to get on with it!
We wanted a Focus/Civic/Mazda 3 a couple of years back and you could pick two identical adverts, 3 yr old car, 20k miles, same spec, same price, photos to all intents and purposed the same yet the cars would be completely and utterly different.
We went to see loads and quite often would find the following: Main dealer, 1 owner, approved used, etc etc. Car is f
ked. Various poor repairs. Chinese tyres. scrapes all over the boot lid entrance. Interior buttons alworn and scratched. Just total dogs.These are exactly the kind of cars being hawked out as 'click and collect' approved used purchases at the moment.
In every case when looking for 'normal' modern-ish cars for my partner we have always had the best luck at smaller, independent, family type business, who actually care about the cars they pick up at auction/trade in, take the time to prepare them etc.
snotrag said:
For what its worth I dont think its anything to do with 'rarity' or the type of car, more the dealer and their level of care and preparation.
We wanted a Focus/Civic/Mazda 3 a couple of years back and you could pick two identical adverts, 3 yr old car, 20k miles, same spec, same price, photos to all intents and purposed the same yet the cars would be completely and utterly different.
We went to see loads and quite often would find the following: Main dealer, 1 owner, approved used, etc etc. Car is fked. Various poor repairs. Chinese tyres. scrapes all over the boot lid entrance. Interior buttons alworn and scratched. Just total dogs.
These are exactly the kind of cars being hawked out as 'click and collect' approved used purchases at the moment.
In every case when looking for 'normal' modern-ish cars for my partner we have always had the best luck at smaller, independent, family type business, who actually care about the cars they pick up at auction/trade in, take the time to prepare them etc.
That’s one way to look at it I guess. We wanted a Focus/Civic/Mazda 3 a couple of years back and you could pick two identical adverts, 3 yr old car, 20k miles, same spec, same price, photos to all intents and purposed the same yet the cars would be completely and utterly different.
We went to see loads and quite often would find the following: Main dealer, 1 owner, approved used, etc etc. Car is f
ked. Various poor repairs. Chinese tyres. scrapes all over the boot lid entrance. Interior buttons alworn and scratched. Just total dogs.These are exactly the kind of cars being hawked out as 'click and collect' approved used purchases at the moment.
In every case when looking for 'normal' modern-ish cars for my partner we have always had the best luck at smaller, independent, family type business, who actually care about the cars they pick up at auction/trade in, take the time to prepare them etc.
It just feels odd buying a car without actually seeing it. Admittedly it’s not the most expensive car.
I don’t know. I’ve asked for a video of the engine running and one of the roof going down / up.
My son did a "click and collect" on a £9000 BMW when we were last in Tier 3. I told him he must be frigging mad and when was the car arriving. When it arrived we gave it a right going over. We found a couple of things that we weren't happy with and that weren't mentioned in the sales description. No problem said the dealer and promptly collected the car. Two days later all sorted and the tank was filled with fuel by the dealer as a nice gesture. Cant fault the car or the dealer.
A week later we went into to Tier 2 and Mrs Marky needed a new car so we went straight to this dealer and bought a £4000 i20, cant fault them and will buy from them when i am next in the market.
A week later we went into to Tier 2 and Mrs Marky needed a new car so we went straight to this dealer and bought a £4000 i20, cant fault them and will buy from them when i am next in the market.
Court_S said:
I think I’ve worn the chap down 
He’s said that I can go and view it!. Obviously asking for videos of the engine running and the roof going up / down etc was enough. I’m tempted to take him up on his offer.
Or a sign that he happy the car is as described He’s said that I can go and view it!. Obviously asking for videos of the engine running and the roof going up / down etc was enough. I’m tempted to take him up on his offer.
But given the choice to view it I’d definitely go see
Court_S said:
I think I’ve worn the chap down
He’s said that I can go and view it!. Obviously asking for videos of the engine running and the roof going up / down etc was enough. I’m tempted to take him up on his offer.
Nice one and I like the relentlessness! He’s said that I can go and view it!. Obviously asking for videos of the engine running and the roof going up / down etc was enough. I’m tempted to take him up on his offer.
Aren't car garages shutting if you're in tier 4 though?
pinchmeimdreamin said:
Or a sign that he happy the car is as described
But given the choice to view it I’d definitely go see
That’s what I’m hoping.But given the choice to view it I’d definitely go see
He seems quite proud of the car but I think I’m just a tad wary after listening to so much sales patter from main dealers. He’s around tomorrow so I’ll scoot over to have a look.
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