“Immaculate condition in & out”
Discussion
I know, this kind of topic has been done to death.
What do dealers actually understand by the word “immaculate”? I think they have a different definition to the rest of the world.
Here’s a BMW I was looking at - would you say this interior is immaculate?
The SH on this one - 20,000 miles between the first and second service (and some later ones) then a discrepancy from 20k down to 14k, then back up to 41k.
Hardly my definition of immaculate.
I’m sure there have been sniff petrol articles on this
What do dealers actually understand by the word “immaculate”? I think they have a different definition to the rest of the world.
Here’s a BMW I was looking at - would you say this interior is immaculate?
The SH on this one - 20,000 miles between the first and second service (and some later ones) then a discrepancy from 20k down to 14k, then back up to 41k.
Hardly my definition of immaculate.
I’m sure there have been sniff petrol articles on this
Immaculate or Excellent Condition are massively overused and often completely inaccurate. I bought a CLS55 which didn't use either phrase and yet was genuinely mint inside and out, they didn't really play on the fact.
By contrast, I went to see a VW Lupo about 17 years ago to buy as a station car. Ad said it was great or excellent condition, I arrived to find door trim hanging off, bumpers scuffed, the interior was filthy with no mats and the service light was flashing. When I flagged it to the guy selling, clearly he'd stuck the advert up on his wifes behalf and had no idea about the car.
Traders tend to just say any old guff to get people through the doors!
By contrast, I went to see a VW Lupo about 17 years ago to buy as a station car. Ad said it was great or excellent condition, I arrived to find door trim hanging off, bumpers scuffed, the interior was filthy with no mats and the service light was flashing. When I flagged it to the guy selling, clearly he'd stuck the advert up on his wifes behalf and had no idea about the car.
Traders tend to just say any old guff to get people through the doors!
The few times I've flogged a car I've been quite critical of it's condition in the hope that anyone who makes the effort to come and view the vehicle would be pleasantly surprised, never had an issue. When buying it's another story though, often even private sellers seem quick to gloss over any issues, I've travelled to see a few cars to arrive and find a dog. I'd be so embarrassed if I was the seller!
I have bought a few from Bedford though and never had an issue!
I have bought a few from Bedford though and never had an issue!
LooneyTunes said:
Has BMW quality deteriorated to the extent that that steering wheel photo is a true reflection of 71k miles of driving?
Seeing it in isolation I d think it came from a vehicle with many more miles under its belt
No i'd say that dmage to the wheel is a sign of someone wearing multiple rings which have been rubbing away the leatherSeeing it in isolation I d think it came from a vehicle with many more miles under its belt
My recent car buying experience when trying to find a car for my daughter was quite depressing. Some of the cars we looked at were in such bad condition that I wouldn't even drive them like that, let alone try to sell them like it.... and one of my cars is an old Audi A4 estate that mainly gets used for transporting two GSDs, tip runs. God only knows how some of the dealers we saw sold a single car, very, very little effort put in.
5 or so years back I went with my granda to look at 911’s of 996 gen. Not expecting immaculate condition on cars from the early 2000s but it was quite funny when we got to a dealer and they were giving us the hard sell and how he will be surprised just how good condition it’s in for the age. Got to the car and the door stuck on opening, then when we had a fight with the door and won in the end, the leather was so perished it had cracked through on most of the seats. I sat on it and it felt like how I’d imagine sitting on pat butchers face would feel. Carpets were hanging off and torn in places, keys looked like they’d been chewed by dogs and the dash looked like it had been in California sun baking.
We just made our excuses and left after the sun visor started wobbling. Dealer was saying take it out and you’ll be amazed how it drives but I was more impressed with how they managed to take pictures that didn’t show how bad it really was.
Obviously on that age and 100k miles you’re not expecting anything spectacular but it was still strong money for what it was. Great condition on the ad
We just made our excuses and left after the sun visor started wobbling. Dealer was saying take it out and you’ll be amazed how it drives but I was more impressed with how they managed to take pictures that didn’t show how bad it really was.
Obviously on that age and 100k miles you’re not expecting anything spectacular but it was still strong money for what it was. Great condition on the ad
I went with my son to look an an Audi estate.
There was about 30 pictures in the add and it was well written.
When we arrived the back passenger door and wheel arch were crash damaged. There were no pics showing that , all very well taken to avoid that area .
When we asked the chap he said it doesn't say anywhere in the advert it hadn't been damaged.
That's fair I guess
There was about 30 pictures in the add and it was well written.
When we arrived the back passenger door and wheel arch were crash damaged. There were no pics showing that , all very well taken to avoid that area .
When we asked the chap he said it doesn't say anywhere in the advert it hadn't been damaged.
That's fair I guess
Jamescrs said:
LooneyTunes said:
Has BMW quality deteriorated to the extent that that steering wheel photo is a true reflection of 71k miles of driving?
Seeing it in isolation I d think it came from a vehicle with many more miles under its belt
No i'd say that dmage to the wheel is a sign of someone wearing multiple rings which have been rubbing away the leatherSeeing it in isolation I d think it came from a vehicle with many more miles under its belt
All I see is a steering wheel that has water all over it, you can also see water on the door card pull and a drip running down the screen?
Just a clumsy car washer that immediately after took photos?
cliffords said:
I went with my son to look an an Audi estate.
There was about 30 pictures in the add and it was well written.
When we arrived the back passenger door and wheel arch were crash damaged. There were no pics showing that , all very well taken to avoid that area .
When we asked the chap he said it doesn't say anywhere in the advert it hadn't been damaged.
That's fair I guess
Out of those 30 pictures, if two had been from opposite corners it should be enough to cover all the external bodywork, albeit in not much detail. Sometimes its worth reading between the lines on a car advert, and if there's an obvious viewing angle missing, suspect the worst. To their credit, most dealers and auction houses have a standardised set of views they use. And auction houses will mostly include damaged areas and a condition grading, which whilst might be incomplete gives a good idea of the condition if buying remotely.There was about 30 pictures in the add and it was well written.
When we arrived the back passenger door and wheel arch were crash damaged. There were no pics showing that , all very well taken to avoid that area .
When we asked the chap he said it doesn't say anywhere in the advert it hadn't been damaged.
That's fair I guess
I don't think it matters one jot to them.
My car is just about immaculate. 1 small scratch below the glovebox on the interior, virtually unmarked exterior bar a couple of touched in stone chips.
But because it's not priced as the cheapest available for the mileage and spec, very little interest.
So if the price is about right for the mileage the condition is almost irrelevant in this country is what I've concluded.
My car is just about immaculate. 1 small scratch below the glovebox on the interior, virtually unmarked exterior bar a couple of touched in stone chips.
But because it's not priced as the cheapest available for the mileage and spec, very little interest.
So if the price is about right for the mileage the condition is almost irrelevant in this country is what I've concluded.
paul_c123 said:
Out of those 30 pictures, if two had been from opposite corners it should be enough to cover all the external bodywork, albeit in not much detail. Sometimes its worth reading between the lines on a car advert, and if there's an obvious viewing angle missing, suspect the worst.
Funnily I just bought a BMW 1 series, no pictures of the rear on the advert anywhere. The seller was quick to tell me the car had been scuffed while it was advertised so I expected a bit of damage. Arrived and found the front corner with a scuff and the back bumper scuffed too! Turns out the rear had been like it all along Luckily it was spot on everywhere else and I bought it, it'll be getting thrown round a track most of it's life with me anyway. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff