When a car for sale says part exchange to clear
Discussion
It could be good (nothing wrong with it but it is a make/model they don't want on their forecourt so would like to be rid -hence cheap) but I would be wary.
Based on my own limited experience trading cars in to dealers, it has essentially been acquired by a salesman motivated by his sales targets and not looking to find fault with the vehicle being traded in. On my last two trade ins (one to Ford, one to BMW) neither dealer asked any questions other than service history and mileage, and neither even looked at the trade in til after I had driven away with the new car. Both trade ins had minor faults that I would have disclosed if asked. How many have major ones?
Based on my own limited experience trading cars in to dealers, it has essentially been acquired by a salesman motivated by his sales targets and not looking to find fault with the vehicle being traded in. On my last two trade ins (one to Ford, one to BMW) neither dealer asked any questions other than service history and mileage, and neither even looked at the trade in til after I had driven away with the new car. Both trade ins had minor faults that I would have disclosed if asked. How many have major ones?
mac96 said:
It could be good (nothing wrong with it but it is a make/model they don't want on their forecourt so would like to be rid -hence cheap) but I would be wary.
Based on my own limited experience trading cars in to dealers, it has essentially been acquired by a salesman motivated by his sales targets and not looking to find fault with the vehicle being traded in. On my last two trade ins (one to Ford, one to BMW) neither dealer asked any questions other than service history and mileage, and neither even looked at the trade in til after I had driven away with the new car. Both trade ins had minor faults that I would have disclosed if asked. How many have major ones?
Lots have minor or major faults, often incorrectly diagnosed so they get shot. Others an EML will pop up and they panic and trade. Based on my own limited experience trading cars in to dealers, it has essentially been acquired by a salesman motivated by his sales targets and not looking to find fault with the vehicle being traded in. On my last two trade ins (one to Ford, one to BMW) neither dealer asked any questions other than service history and mileage, and neither even looked at the trade in til after I had driven away with the new car. Both trade ins had minor faults that I would have disclosed if asked. How many have major ones?
Some that are taken to main agents for mot and get slaughtered with fails and advisories, have taken them to another test, that knows I will be selling it, and most, if not all faults are BS.
Part ex to clear means they don't want to retail it or auction it, could be for miles, faults, no margin in the trade in price given, no different from any private sale, just look, drive, and judge for yourself.
For context, buying trade cars from main agents on a daily basis.
Alan_B said:
From what I understand it s rubbish anyway, trade sale to clear doesn t remove their obligations from statutory law.
Approach with caution as you would any second hand car dealer.
Maybe not but if they tell you to sod off it's then on you to deal with all the hassle of making a claim regardless of how in the right you are. Approach with caution as you would any second hand car dealer.
I run a car dealership.
I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
JimmyConwayNW said:
I run a car dealership.
I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
Great post. A used car lot must be great for washing the Lufthansa money!I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
Bought a mint wee car for my lad, haggled a touch off as didn't want warranty as I live 500 miles away, so dealer wrote spares or repair on invoice, guess this is similar for dealers trying to shift stock free of obligations, I'm not sure it absolves him of consumer goods acts, but he was happy as was I
Edited by v8notbrave on Wednesday 2nd September 09:48
In your spares or repairs invoice I think the problem is people will accept the bargain and happily take the money off which is great if there isn't a problem. But when there is its all forgotten.
The CRA really isn't suitable for used car dealerships. I understand lobbying the government for weaker rights for the public and stronger rights for the used car dealers of the land isn't exactly going to have many people behind it, can you imagine the daily mail headlines.
Certain categories of sale should be recognised a bit like the way in America you can sell as is ( although the thought of a warranty comeback armed with an assault rifle may be a different ball game).
I think most pistonheaders with a bit of mechanical knowledge would understand that a 15 year old 120k car isn't going to come with nationwide recovery and an unlimited warranty like say a premium branded used approved one year old car but under the CRA it pretty much can and does.
The CRA really isn't suitable for used car dealerships. I understand lobbying the government for weaker rights for the public and stronger rights for the used car dealers of the land isn't exactly going to have many people behind it, can you imagine the daily mail headlines.
Certain categories of sale should be recognised a bit like the way in America you can sell as is ( although the thought of a warranty comeback armed with an assault rifle may be a different ball game).
I think most pistonheaders with a bit of mechanical knowledge would understand that a 15 year old 120k car isn't going to come with nationwide recovery and an unlimited warranty like say a premium branded used approved one year old car but under the CRA it pretty much can and does.
At the former Car Giant, they used to market their part exchanges to clear as "Managers Specials" with the previous price displayed, say 10,999 and the new price of £8,999. Normally this was because of a lot of cosmetic damage or really damage that had turned to rust.
I remember looking at a Focus Estate at Car Giant and saw an exMotability one. When i opened it I almost puked from the smoke smell. And the driver must have had a metal brace on his leg, because the door jamb was completely rusty.
I remember looking at a Focus Estate at Car Giant and saw an exMotability one. When i opened it I almost puked from the smoke smell. And the driver must have had a metal brace on his leg, because the door jamb was completely rusty.
127Sport said:
Genuine question - why? Money is money isn't it?
My own thought at that end of the market someone with a credit card is going to be afforded slightly more protection. I'm not being a crook, I just don't want a chargeback if it throws an EML in a week / month / year when I couldn't have been more brutal blunt and anti sales if I tried.
Secondly assuming want to use a CC I can only assume they don't have the money for the car, and maybe don't have money to maintain it.
From the dealer point of view if you have a cheap car and you have 5 customers all fighting it out for it why pick the one with a chance for headache.
Charging CC fees pretty sure its illegal to pass the charges on some sort of ruling that got applied a few years back as before it used to be fine to cover costs and you know, make a profit.
I suppose you could bury it as a set of mats, flaps, admin fee or such like.
I don't mind taking a bit of CC on any normal retail sale with no charges but we try to limit card payment whereever possible and use bank transfer just due to costs and the fact transfer instant in the bank cards can take 24 hours to 3 days to show up.
I've always got cars lined up to pay for
JimmyConwayNW said:
127Sport said:
Genuine question - why? Money is money isn't it?
My own thought at that end of the market someone with a credit card is going to be afforded slightly more protection. I'm not being a crook, I just don't want a chargeback if it throws an EML in a week / month / year when I couldn't have been more brutal blunt and anti sales if I tried.
Secondly assuming want to use a CC I can only assume they don't have the money for the car, and maybe don't have money to maintain it.
From the dealer point of view if you have a cheap car and you have 5 customers all fighting it out for it why pick the one with a chance for headache.
Charging CC fees pretty sure its illegal to pass the charges on some sort of ruling that got applied a few years back as before it used to be fine to cover costs and you know, make a profit.
I suppose you could bury it as a set of mats, flaps, admin fee or such like.
I don't mind taking a bit of CC on any normal retail sale with no charges but we try to limit card payment whereever possible and use bank transfer just due to costs and the fact transfer instant in the bank cards can take 24 hours to 3 days to show up.
I've always got cars lined up to pay for
I'd be unwilling to buy from a dealer who refused to take one, so it works the other way too.
127Sport said:
Ok, understood. Yes a credit card affords more protection to the buyer, that's why I use one for pretty much everything. It doesn't mean I haven't got the money, it's paid off in full every month whatever the bill.
I'd be unwilling to buy from a dealer who refused to take one, so it works the other way too.
Kind of goes back to the point - I'd pick the customer so you wouldn't buy said cheap banger someone else would pretty quickly. Its not like it changes my life in anyway.I'd be unwilling to buy from a dealer who refused to take one, so it works the other way too.
Don't do this particularly often usually trade out all our cheaper cars just seemed like a bit of a back to basics moment and a cheap high mileage car has its use you just don't get all the bells and whistles of something fancy.
JimmyConwayNW said:
127Sport said:
Ok, understood. Yes a credit card affords more protection to the buyer, that's why I use one for pretty much everything. It doesn't mean I haven't got the money, it's paid off in full every month whatever the bill.
I'd be unwilling to buy from a dealer who refused to take one, so it works the other way too.
Kind of goes back to the point - I'd pick the customer so you wouldn't buy said cheap banger someone else would pretty quickly. Its not like it changes my life in anyway.I'd be unwilling to buy from a dealer who refused to take one, so it works the other way too.
Don't do this particularly often usually trade out all our cheaper cars just seemed like a bit of a back to basics moment and a cheap high mileage car has its use you just don't get all the bells and whistles of something fancy.
All seems a bit unnecessarily prescriptive to me, but it's your business of course and I understand your approach.
Like your user name, BTW. Great footballer.
Edited by 127Sport on Thursday 3rd September 08:52
JimmyConwayNW said:
I run a car dealership.
I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
I hate this approach to circumventing consumer law and would never buy such a car. I take the view that if a dealer uses this kind of language, there is something wrong with the car otherwise they’d sell it as stock. I'll give an example of a part exchange to clear I listed within the last week.
It was a 2014 520d on 150K+ miles. Cosmetically really clean, stack of servicing and the last owner had clearly taken incredibly good care of it. Premium tyres all round.
Seemed to good to scrap of course but the difficulty with retailing something like this is that pretty much the CRA means the same obligations are had by me when selling this as a 3 year old car.
Anyway - Suggested retail on it was £3500 I figured it would make someone a good run around.
Listed it for £2k PX to clear.
Advertised it as being sold at a trade price and listed trade and retail prices.
Had several calls. One wanted to pay on credit card - dismissed this buyer.
One said so long as it lasted a couple of years they would be happy.
A few others asking best price, how much for cash and a parrot etc.
Someone sensible called, old car had gone bang and needed something to run around and rack some miles on.
Advised them the invoice would say trailer away, advised I would show a PDI listing every component as faulty as it hasn't been mechanically checked and explicitly made clear there was no warranty.
The buyer was happy with the terms but felt more comfortable paying a dealer for it then meeting someone in a tesco car park, at a shipping container yard and some of the other cars he had been to look at.
Rightly, wrongly agree or disagree buyer and seller were both happy.
If you want a warranty and top aftercare I have plenty of cars that fit the bill. If you want an old high mileage banger well under retail that could last 2 weeks or 2 years that really is the chance you take at that end of the market.
The dealer has several options of disposing of the car, by auction for example, but greed gets in the way, so they use words to sell a car and rob consumers of their rights. No, it is not ethical.
I agree that too many customers are in it for a free ride, and will buy an old car, use it for 29.5 days and and try to hand the thing back as a reject. But there has to be another way - not this.
Just my view.
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