Remote purchase of a car, return within 14 days?
Discussion
(apologies for 3rd post about my purchase this week - I appreciate everyone's help and patience).
In-person appointment isn't possible, so I'm considering a remote purchase of a 2010 MX-5 for £6k from a dealer (Network Q). I've been verbally assured by the seller that there's "nothing wrong" with the car, specifically no rust, no electrical issues, no engine issues, wipers are working, etc. I'll look to have it in writing.
What I was planning to do is, day after delivery have the car inspected by an independent garage, and then if something isn't right, consider exercising my right to return the car back to dealer within 14 days for a full refund.
Is this a sensible plan? Has anyone gone through the process of returning a used car?
In-person appointment isn't possible, so I'm considering a remote purchase of a 2010 MX-5 for £6k from a dealer (Network Q). I've been verbally assured by the seller that there's "nothing wrong" with the car, specifically no rust, no electrical issues, no engine issues, wipers are working, etc. I'll look to have it in writing.
What I was planning to do is, day after delivery have the car inspected by an independent garage, and then if something isn't right, consider exercising my right to return the car back to dealer within 14 days for a full refund.
Is this a sensible plan? Has anyone gone through the process of returning a used car?
Edited by ldn_mx5 on Friday 8th January 13:56
If you want dealer to consumer levels of protection and comeback, I would suggest that you buy from a dealer. Not only will they have process and procedures to help with things like delivery, they will price it properly to meet your levels of expectations. If you are buying from a private seller, you either do your home work up front, or you manage your expectations by yourself.
randlemarcus said:
If you want dealer to consumer levels of protection and comeback, I would suggest that you buy from a dealer. Not only will they have process and procedures to help with things like delivery, they will price it properly to meet your levels of expectations. If you are buying from a private seller, you either do your home work up front, or you manage your expectations by yourself.
I _am_ buying from a dealer, not a private seller.. It's part of Network Q, which is a "used car programme", in case that's relevant.Edited by ldn_mx5 on Friday 8th January 13:57
ldn_mx5 said:
I _am_ buying from a dealer, not a private seller..
Fair enough then. Be upfront with them about what you are going to do, your expectations of the inspection, and the actions you intend to see (and take) arising from issues that arise from there. In writing - email is fine.Then you have a realistic proposal and an understanding of your own red lines, and an acceptance of those from the dealer. They have the chance to say "nah, not going to work, find another car", or "two missing wheelarch liner plastic fasteners is not a good enough reason for you to return the car", and you work from there.
Be honest with yourself as well - is the car priced well for its age and mileage, is it cheap, is it expensive. Using things like WBAC is not a good indicator of actual value, but at least gives you a baseline for it - if the dealer has £2K in it, you might expect it to be perfect. If they have £500 in it, they maybe aren't great business people
randlemarcus said:
Fair enough then. Be upfront with them about what you are going to do, your expectations of the inspection, and the actions you intend to see (and take) arising from issues that arise from there. In writing - email is fine.
Then you have a realistic proposal and an understanding of your own red lines, and an acceptance of those from the dealer. They have the chance to say "nah, not going to work, find another car", or "two missing wheelarch liner plastic fasteners is not a good enough reason for you to return the car", and you work from there.
Be honest with yourself as well - is the car priced well for its age and mileage, is it cheap, is it expensive. Using things like WBAC is not a good indicator of actual value, but at least gives you a baseline for it - if the dealer has £2K in it, you might expect it to be perfect. If they have £500 in it, they maybe aren't great business people
very helpful, thanks. Then you have a realistic proposal and an understanding of your own red lines, and an acceptance of those from the dealer. They have the chance to say "nah, not going to work, find another car", or "two missing wheelarch liner plastic fasteners is not a good enough reason for you to return the car", and you work from there.
Be honest with yourself as well - is the car priced well for its age and mileage, is it cheap, is it expensive. Using things like WBAC is not a good indicator of actual value, but at least gives you a baseline for it - if the dealer has £2K in it, you might expect it to be perfect. If they have £500 in it, they maybe aren't great business people
Regarding your last paragraph - I've looked at a large number of these MX-5's and have a good idea for prices. I'd say it's priced competitively, but not crazy low. WBAC shows £3,865 (vs dealer price £6,000).
I replied to a similar thread lately and the long and short of it is that if you're picky when it comes to cars (and there's no problem with that - after all, this is PH) then a distance sale isn't the best for you. I imagine you will be able to identify plenty things wrong with a 10 year old car, and an independent inspection will find even more. The very fact you're trying to pre-empt a load of issues at this point and already looking into how to return the car speaks volumes.
Toyoda said:
I replied to a similar thread lately and the long and short of it is that if you're picky when it comes to cars (and there's no problem with that - after all, this is PH) then a distance sale isn't the best for you. I imagine you will be able to identify plenty things wrong with a 10 year old car, and an independent inspection will find even more. The very fact you're trying to pre-empt a load of issues at this point and already looking into how to return the car speaks volumes.
I don't think I'm excessively picky. Mostly I want to ensure the car doesn't have any issues which would render it unusable, or very expensive to fix. Corrosion and engine issues are two obvious areas. On the other ones, I figured I risk nothing asking the dealer to list all "cosmetic" issues with the car, like with roof fabric, paint, seats, wipers, electronics. He did (and wrote that there's only 2 small stone chips, nothing else), and confirmed there is no corrosion - so if the independent inspection confirms there is indeed serious corrosion, I don't think it'd be unreasonable for me to try and return the car?IANAL, but I believe you will be responsible for the return of the car, unless it's been mis represented.
Again IANAL, but "nothing wrong" needs to be taken in context with the age and cost of the car. I would set out a series of specific questions you want - although the dealer may decide that there are easier ways to sell a car
Again IANAL, but "nothing wrong" needs to be taken in context with the age and cost of the car. I would set out a series of specific questions you want - although the dealer may decide that there are easier ways to sell a car
OverSteery said:
IANAL, but I believe you will be responsible for the return of the car, unless it's been mis represented.
Again IANAL, but "nothing wrong" needs to be taken in context with the age and cost of the car. I would set out a series of specific questions you want - although the dealer may decide that there are easier ways to sell a car
My understanding is that with a distance sale, exercising your right to change your mind within 14 days, you don't actually have to give a reason.Again IANAL, but "nothing wrong" needs to be taken in context with the age and cost of the car. I would set out a series of specific questions you want - although the dealer may decide that there are easier ways to sell a car
And also, the dealer should inform you of your 14 day right to change your mind, other wise that deadline extends until they tell you. Up to one year.
I'm not a lawyer either, but this is what my dealer friends are telling me.
I'm happy to be corrected of course.
ldn_mx5 said:
(apologies for 3rd post about my purchase this week - I appreciate everyone's help and patience).
In-person appointment isn't possible, so I'm considering a remote purchase of a 2010 MX-5 for £6k from a dealer (Network Q). I've been verbally assured by the seller that there's "nothing wrong" with the car, specifically no rust
OP, this dealer is being a bit silly telling you a ten year old MX-5 will have no rust.In-person appointment isn't possible, so I'm considering a remote purchase of a 2010 MX-5 for £6k from a dealer (Network Q). I've been verbally assured by the seller that there's "nothing wrong" with the car, specifically no rust
Edited by ldn_mx5 on Friday 8th January 13:56
I fear this will turn out to be a complete waste of time.
Sir Bagalot said:
I'd question why you're buying a 10 year car from a dealer.
It's 10 years old, it will have problems and rust.
And I'm sure a ten year old car wouldn't be covered by the Network Q promises.It's 10 years old, it will have problems and rust.
Have the dealer pressed the fact they're a Network Q dealer to you OP?
Or have they informed you that this MX-5 doesn't qualify for the Network Q promises?
Wacky Racer said:
edthefed said:
Its a 10 year old MX5
It WILL have rust
It WILL have rust
There is not a trace of rust on my 25,000 mile car, but it never goes out in winter or in rain if I can help it.
I'd pay good money for an MX=5 like that to live the rest of it's days in my warm garage.
griffter said:
edthefed said:
Its a 10 year old MX5
It WILL have rust
This. They’ll tell you what you want to hear and the salesman won’t have looked underneath it anyway. It WILL have rust
It's 6K and 10 years old, it'll be well on its way to being knackered.
(I say this as an owner of a 175,000 Rover 75 which I love), but think about it, it's had 10 winters, it'll be a bit rusty in places that are hard to sport.
It'll be fine if it's from Network Q, but don't then chuck a wobble if in a few months something servicable crops up, brakes etc!
It should be showing signs of wear and tear.
As long as you don't expect the earth you'll be fine.
Stick it on a credit card to be sure!
ldn_mx5 said:
What I was planning to do is, day after delivery have the car inspected by an independent garage, and then if something isn't right, consider exercising my right to return the car back to dealer within 14 days for a full refund.
To qualify for the return and refund as promised, does there have to be something wrong with the car? Or can you just return it with a full refund if you simply don't like it? If this is the case, then why doesn't the dealer let you have, say, 48 hours with the car before you pay for it?
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