Viewed a car today, after a few phone calls...
Viewed a car today, after a few phone calls...
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Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

263 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Three calls to the seller asking after condition, rust etc and all answers sounded good. The car wasn't the cheapest but it was low mileage and looked good. I went with negotiation in mind, but as a serious buyer. I even called ahead to confirm the car was still available.

Anyway, the chap told me that the only issue was a rust bubble on the door.....

Rust was on every panel
Water was leaking (considerably) into the boot and sat in the wells
The interior was like a kennel, and was very doggy
The seatbelts were wet when pulled out, so water was in there somewhere too
The car had already been warmed up when I arrived
He drove the car, no invite to me. Was that to drive around a fault?
Outside I asked about MOTs and had it received any advisories, no was the reply. When he invited me inside, all MOTs shown that an advisory note had been issued every time.

What a waste of time, even after all the chats on the phone. It was an old car (yes it was a Merc) but priced at a level where you expect more. Shame really.

Oh, and it wasn't advertised on PH before anyone asks smile



LHD

17,002 posts

210 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
Three calls to the seller asking after condition, rust etc and all answers sounded good. The car wasn't the cheapest but it was low mileage and looked good. I went with negotiation in mind, but as a serious buyer, I even called ahead to confirm the car was still available.

Anyway, the chap told me that the only issue was a rust bubble on the door.....

Rust was on every panel
Water was leaking (considerably) into the boot and sat in the wells
The interior was like a kennel, and was very doggy
The seatbelts were wet when pulled out, so water was in there somewhere too
The car had already been warmed up when I arrived
He drove the car, no invite to me. Was that to drive around a fault?
Outside I asked about MOTs and had it received any advisories, no was the reply. All MOTs shown that an advisory note had been issued

What a waste of time, even after all the chats on the phone. It was an old car (yes it was a Merc) but priced at a level where you expect more. Shame really.

Oh, and it wasn't advertised on PH before anyone asks smile
The question is, should you whistle the Dallas theme tune when you drive the next one?

B'stard Child

30,804 posts

269 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
This surprised you?

Huntsman

9,097 posts

273 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
I reckon I have a success rate of about one in ten when looking at cars.

I pulled up outside a house once, looked at the car from 50 yards and drove off. It was 1990 and the car was a Cal look VW Variant in pastel peach with moon discs.......


Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

263 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
This surprised you?
Do you know what, it did.

I'm no stranger to buying cars, and have not experienced this before as usually the seller comes clean on the phone. I guess I've just been lucky, but was a little miffed after dragging the Mrs along on a Sunday afternoon and an hour and a half each way.

I didnt buy it smile

Fun Bus

17,911 posts

241 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Out of interest what model was it? Linkey to the advert or is that too cheeky?

jeremyc

27,158 posts

307 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Sounds the ideal candidate for spending the purchase price again on putting it right.

I'm surprised it isn't in your possession ... wink

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

263 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Oh, and the smoke from the engine was fantastic hehe

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

263 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Fun Bus said:
Out of interest what model was it? Linkey to the advert or is that too cheeky?
It was a big old bus of a Merc. No naming and shaming on PH remember, if he sells it to some mug then fair play to him.

Mikey_W

4,984 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Garlick said:
Fun Bus said:
Out of interest what model was it? Linkey to the advert or is that too cheeky?
It was a big old bus of a Merc. No naming and shaming on PH remember, if he sells it to some mug then fair play to him.
560SEL??

williamp

20,119 posts

296 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
Mikey_W said:
Garlick said:
Fun Bus said:
Out of interest what model was it? Linkey to the advert or is that too cheeky?
It was a big old bus of a Merc. No naming and shaming on PH remember, if he sells it to some mug then fair play to him.
560SEL??
It wont be an SEL: too may toys for Garlick. It'll probably bne a poverty spec 230TE... biggrin

Seriosly, its very annoying when that happens. They dont seem to realise that ou weill just walk away, and its better to be straight on the phone

Mikey_W

4,984 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
williamp said:
Mikey_W said:
Garlick said:
Fun Bus said:
Out of interest what model was it? Linkey to the advert or is that too cheeky?
It was a big old bus of a Merc. No naming and shaming on PH remember, if he sells it to some mug then fair play to him.
560SEL??
It wont be an SEL: too may toys for Garlick. It'll probably bne a poverty spec 230TE... biggrin
Or possibly a 200T, the carburettor fed one smile

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

263 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
You guys......

davidjpowell

18,604 posts

207 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
hour and a half each way? Sounds lucky to me.

I was 4 hours each way, to find a dog of an S class, with wheel bolts missing, odd tyres (including one wheel), unpainted parking sensor, service history that consisted of one service (he argued that was a history!) and a odometer that was not believable. On the phone the car was immaculate.

WhoseGeneration

4,090 posts

230 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
There's always someone who'll buy.
Enough threads here to confirm.
Some about dealers too!.
Sadly, how to confirm a car's condition isn't taught in schools.
Remember, if you are able to really judge a car for sale, you are in the minority.

bosscerbera

8,188 posts

266 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
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Mikey_W said:
560SEL??
^^^^ You taking the plunge? smile

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

232 months

Sunday 24th October 2010
quotequote all
On the other side; earlier my OH had a text conversation with a guy about the car she's selling. Sounded interested so despite a stinking cold she got up, cleaned it top to tyres, it looks brilliant.

Half an hour after they said they'd turn up, a silver Mazda2 drove slowly past the end of the driveway, reversed back, two passengers craned their heads but didn't even get out of the car. Why would you bother?

martin mrt

3,878 posts

224 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
Gizmo! said:
On the other side; earlier my OH had a text conversation with a guy about the car she's selling. Sounded interested so despite a stinking cold she got up, cleaned it top to tyres, it looks brilliant.

Half an hour after they said they'd turn up, a silver Mazda2 drove slowly past the end of the driveway, reversed back, two passengers craned their heads but didn't even get out of the car. Why would you bother?
Ive had this in the past and it really pisses me off

Carpie

1,119 posts

218 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
I suppose the problem is that if a seller is completely honest in the advert, then potential buyers are likely to take a look, think "utter shed" and go to view a different one and maybe end up buying it despite possibly being in the same condition.

Not an excuse I know.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

272 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
280 panzer wagon