Car adverts misleading "manual" claim
Discussion
Often casually browse the classifieds but have noticed too many sellers claiming their car is a "manual gearbox" when the car obviously in the photos does not have a clutch pedal.
I don't think there is a consensus from a buyer's perspective that a gearbox controlled via computer selection request from a steering wheel flappy paddle or a push-pull level on the centre-console qualifies as a manual gearbox. Whether this be a dual-clutch, single-clutch or a 'traditional' auto-box with fluid-coupling torque converter.
The only qualifier that I see is that the driver is in full control of gears, engine braking, coasting, etc. by the inclusion of a fully functional clutch pedal sitting beside the brake and accelerator pedals, before it can be termed "manual".
Just honest mis-advertising, or is it because they want to try and direct manual buyers towards auto-boxes? Thus increasing the traffic to their advert.
As far as I can see, a manual buyer who filters the search results to only manual gearboxes, will still not be interested in any form of auto-box.
Just me or am I missing something?
I don't think there is a consensus from a buyer's perspective that a gearbox controlled via computer selection request from a steering wheel flappy paddle or a push-pull level on the centre-console qualifies as a manual gearbox. Whether this be a dual-clutch, single-clutch or a 'traditional' auto-box with fluid-coupling torque converter.
The only qualifier that I see is that the driver is in full control of gears, engine braking, coasting, etc. by the inclusion of a fully functional clutch pedal sitting beside the brake and accelerator pedals, before it can be termed "manual".
Just honest mis-advertising, or is it because they want to try and direct manual buyers towards auto-boxes? Thus increasing the traffic to their advert.
As far as I can see, a manual buyer who filters the search results to only manual gearboxes, will still not be interested in any form of auto-box.
Just me or am I missing something?
limpsfield said:
I think you are reading far too much into what is a simple mistake.
But then, maybe I am in the pay of “Big Auto” and desperately trying to close this discussion down.
But then, maybe I am in the pay of “Big Auto” and desperately trying to close this discussion down.
I could well be scrutinising far too much.
InitialDave said:
Most advertising online has some form of "auto fill" from putting your registration number etc in, to populate the advert with the relevant specifications.
They are, by and large, terrible.
Yep, you're right. They are, by and large, terrible.
I'd expect a "manual" to have a gear stick and a clutch pedal. However, I suspect (though I don't know for certain) that "flappy paddle" cars don't have a specific box to tick when people are listing cars for sale. Certainly, the only choices when searching are to specify "manual" or "auto". A "flappy paddle" gearbox is essentially an automated manual, so that's probably why they're being listed as manual, though, I agree, it's annoying.
InitialDave said:
GroundZero said:
Just me or am I missing something?
Most advertising online has some form of "auto fill" from putting your registration number etc in, to populate the advert with the relevant specifications.They are, by and large, terrible.
I think before DCT style transmissions were as popular as they are now there always used to be issues with auto trader listings.
If I recall it was 330ci's with the SSG gearbox sometimes came across as manual (or maybe even semi-automatic) back in the day.
I would agree that clutch pedal and gear stick = manual, everything else is auto. After all the main difference in a driving test with a manual would be clutch control/gear selection.
I wonder how a sequential gearbox modified car would be classed, to DVLA and insurers. Also that new Toyota discussed here recently that is going to be an EV with a gearstick for virtual gear changes.
If I recall it was 330ci's with the SSG gearbox sometimes came across as manual (or maybe even semi-automatic) back in the day.
I would agree that clutch pedal and gear stick = manual, everything else is auto. After all the main difference in a driving test with a manual would be clutch control/gear selection.
I wonder how a sequential gearbox modified car would be classed, to DVLA and insurers. Also that new Toyota discussed here recently that is going to be an EV with a gearstick for virtual gear changes.
The mis-classification of ads annoys me too. Another one is imported cars advertised with the year of import into the UK instead of the year of manufacture/first use.
I don't think it's deliberate per se, just a combination of bad databases, and that not everyone thinks like we do; to some people, any ability to tell the car to change up or down qualifies it as a "manual". For example, my auto car has three transmission settings - Comfort, Sport, and Manual. There's no way I'd ever describe it as anything other than an automatic, but I can imagine some people thinking 'it has a manual mode, therefore it's a manual'.
Yeah, the issue does seem to be widespread across the usual search websites, affecting some models more than others.
Similarly with PistonHeads, AutoTrader has become a bit better with its filters, so the buyer can really focus down on to what they want to search for in a car, but I think they all need to improve on these filters when it comes to one of the fundamentals of the car such as the gearbox.
May be adding more options to make the search filter work better, or simply auditing their adverts better. Or giving those that browse the adverts a much easier option of feedback to alert the website of an incorrect advert?
Similarly with PistonHeads, AutoTrader has become a bit better with its filters, so the buyer can really focus down on to what they want to search for in a car, but I think they all need to improve on these filters when it comes to one of the fundamentals of the car such as the gearbox.
May be adding more options to make the search filter work better, or simply auditing their adverts better. Or giving those that browse the adverts a much easier option of feedback to alert the website of an incorrect advert?
I think things got confusing when cars started to get get offered with automated manual gearboxes like many BMWs with the SMG - E46 M3, 3 litre Z4s, early Maserati Quattroportes, etc.
They weren't manual but weren't traditional Autos with a torque-convertor either, and some advertising sites struggled to decide how to describe them.
Off-topic but my first BMW Z4 was Ruby Black, but the V5 said it was "Red" - previous owner said his partner got pulled twice for that!
And my current E90 330i has dual-zone climate control plus an electric sunroof.
They weren't manual but weren't traditional Autos with a torque-convertor either, and some advertising sites struggled to decide how to describe them.
Off-topic but my first BMW Z4 was Ruby Black, but the V5 said it was "Red" - previous owner said his partner got pulled twice for that!
And my current E90 330i has dual-zone climate control plus an electric sunroof.
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