The trouble with motor dealers...
Discussion
So after a few years of leasing, doing Dad taxi's and giving my sciatica a rest I decided it was time to have one or maybe two last petrolhead cars before a sedate retirement with an electric SUV :-(
Anyhow the thrill of the chase has swiftly been replaced by dealer fatigue, the amount of lies, obfuscation, misrepresentation and downright crapness has almost made me hit the button on the electric SUV early.
Some examples of the issues I have had
1) Piling together 3 different cars service invoices to pretend the car for sale had one complete FSH (they balcked out all the deets apart from VIN doh)
2) Claiming comprehensive service history when in fact the car had no log book and 2 services only....one of the service receipts linked to one of dodgiest garages in UK
3) A dealer calling me up to say car I had registered an interest in absolutely had newer versions of timing chains/tensioners etc - when I wanted a PPI he revealed it had an older version of timing chain.
4) A dealer offering to do a (neutral) PPI on my behalf for his car.....thought that one was interesting
5) A dealer who was in the process of striking off his company saying not to worry about that and the fact he was actively being pursued for outstanding stocking finance @wasnt an issue@
Still plugging away to find the right car with the right dealer!
Anyhow the thrill of the chase has swiftly been replaced by dealer fatigue, the amount of lies, obfuscation, misrepresentation and downright crapness has almost made me hit the button on the electric SUV early.
Some examples of the issues I have had
1) Piling together 3 different cars service invoices to pretend the car for sale had one complete FSH (they balcked out all the deets apart from VIN doh)
2) Claiming comprehensive service history when in fact the car had no log book and 2 services only....one of the service receipts linked to one of dodgiest garages in UK
3) A dealer calling me up to say car I had registered an interest in absolutely had newer versions of timing chains/tensioners etc - when I wanted a PPI he revealed it had an older version of timing chain.
4) A dealer offering to do a (neutral) PPI on my behalf for his car.....thought that one was interesting
5) A dealer who was in the process of striking off his company saying not to worry about that and the fact he was actively being pursued for outstanding stocking finance @wasnt an issue@
Still plugging away to find the right car with the right dealer!
Saw a BMW the other day, described as having a "recent service". The on-board computer service list said the latest was June 2022. 
That said, whilst between jobs a few years ago, I tried my hand at selling cars to make some cash. I sold 3 or 4 cars before getting completely and utterly fed up with punters. They were rarely upfront or honest either. The whole process, from both sides, is wearing.
That said, whilst between jobs a few years ago, I tried my hand at selling cars to make some cash. I sold 3 or 4 cars before getting completely and utterly fed up with punters. They were rarely upfront or honest either. The whole process, from both sides, is wearing.
I really struggle to buy used cars and normally buy new - even looking at nearly new EVs it became apparent that if you ask two salesmen about the car you get two stories so it's clear they just say the first thing that comes into their heads.
Did buy an 18mth old Skoda Karoq for wife from a highly regarded family owned local dealer. Turned out to have had an extra owner, the servicing is messed up as they did a long-life service on it and that doesn't align with the service plan included with the car and had to have a stupid argument with them where the service staff basically called me liar as I didn't have proof the car came with two free MOTs (as part of the approved used package).
And they also forgot to register the car to us!
Did buy an 18mth old Skoda Karoq for wife from a highly regarded family owned local dealer. Turned out to have had an extra owner, the servicing is messed up as they did a long-life service on it and that doesn't align with the service plan included with the car and had to have a stupid argument with them where the service staff basically called me liar as I didn't have proof the car came with two free MOTs (as part of the approved used package).
And they also forgot to register the car to us!
Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 15th May 05:52
MikeM6 said:
Just wait until you have to deal with them after having bought the car.... I've had the joy of a non existent warranty, zero communication and being £7k out of pocket on repairs.
I often wonder about the supposed used car dealer warranties from small independents.....Sorry to hear about your pain on that.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Buy an Approved Used BMW. I’ve never had a problem with their dealers.
This is the issue , I am not a massive fan of the high powered cars of the last 6-7 years, to me they are all bloated, small engined computers (opinion not fact) I am looking form something older than that with less computer and more engine (yes I get that may mean less power etc vs newer cars) but my buying criteria forces me into indi's!I've visited a huge number of dealers over the years.
And yes, a lot of them remind me of when Obi Wan was telling Luke about visiting that Mos Eisley place.
But there are good ones out there.
One thing that gives me a bit of confidence is when it's actually the persons name above the door.
Rather than something like "trade cars" or anything not related to the people behind the business.
Keep looking OP, there are good cars out there, and some very decent dealers.
And yes, a lot of them remind me of when Obi Wan was telling Luke about visiting that Mos Eisley place.
But there are good ones out there.
One thing that gives me a bit of confidence is when it's actually the persons name above the door.
Rather than something like "trade cars" or anything not related to the people behind the business.
Keep looking OP, there are good cars out there, and some very decent dealers.
paul_c123 said:
You know when you do an Auto Trader search and, say, 10 results come back. Are you scraping the barrel with the cheapest ones or are you working your way through them from nearest first, or lowest mileage, newest or whatever?
I never go cheapest first - I look for my criteria vs car, then rule out the ones that dont match, some may be cheap and some expensive, but it is the fact that (some) dealers will lie and hope to get away with it that riles me up.So what is the best strategy with Autotrader? I tend to look at the mid-price for a certain spec, to avoid the cheapest dross. So if there’s 100 cars between £9K and £15K I see what price would include the bottom 50 cars.
Interested in other people’s strategies.
One mistake I’ve made more than once is buying the cheapest of a make/model. Didn’t end well.
Interested in other people’s strategies.
One mistake I’ve made more than once is buying the cheapest of a make/model. Didn’t end well.
ChrisH72 said:
If you're looking for an older more specialist car I would try joining forums and search their classified ads. Private sale would be the best way.
This.Private purchases are usually the better option although you do get difficult private sellers too who lie and misrepresent just like a dealer would with the exception you have less legal comeback.
Sadly, it seems to me that trying to earn an honest living through selling cars is tough. If it wasn't for people buying on finance and the legal protection of buying through a trader, I doubt many would.
There are honest and decent dealers, usually small ones who are doing it for the experience rather than earning a decent living.
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