ME Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) I have found a car that I like but I am in Essex and the car at a dealers in Hinckley Leicestershire which is 100 miles away. I went to see a similar car last month which was 39 miles away and when I got there it was a complete dog. The dealer was a specialist in the car / marque that I am after and I was fuming as I drove home. Every now and then I have to visit a car dealer to remind me why I try to purchase all my cars privately ! Obviously if I call this dealer in Hinckley he is gonna tell me whatever he thinks I need to hear to get me in the door. What can I do so that everyones expectations are managed and that the car is in the condition that I want it to be ? I am not looking for volunteers for people to go and look at it for me, it's a relatively expensive purchase and I am quite fussy, so I need to go myself. I guess what I am asking is "how can I get a car dealer to tell me the truth ?" Edited February 23, 2011 by ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbuster Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Car dealer to tell the truth??? You are joking yeah? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 maybe explain that you are travelling from a distance, if it turns out that he lies to you and it's another pup, post his address so we can send him some canine and feline "gifts" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) This is not a knocking car dealers thread, I just want to be armed with some ideas as to direct questions that I can ask the chap so I can gauge whether it will be worth the journey. Everyone has a different tolerance to the quality of a secondhand motor but the last one had peeling lacquer, sagging seat cushions, bad accident damage repair with silicon spots in the paint, scratches on the roof. In fact if there are any car dealers on here they might be able to help me sort the wheat from the chaff. Edited February 23, 2011 by ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Ask him if you can get it inspected.. That usually is enough for it 'just to have been sold' Depending on what make it is a phone call to local franchise service bay will often lead to a lad who will pop over and have a look in his lunch break for a few quid into his paypal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 does he have a website? ask him to email pictures and give a detailed description inc mileage and service history, No of owners, mot certs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I have my own criteria like full dealer service history and low mileage, one owner etc but the car I am looking at will be around a 2004. Some will have been used as a regular car and some will have been locked away in a heated garage as a third fun car only to be brought out for a polish and a drive on a Sunday. I am obviously looking for one that has been loved and cherished. The last one looked like it had been stolen and recovered - not cherished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I've been caught out once or twice, but now I tell it straight if you tell me the car's perfect or 1 owner and I get there and it's wanked out with 15 previous owners we're going to have a massive row. It sets the scene and if they want to invite a massive row to their showroom..... Ask for more photos and a scan of the service history. Phone the previous owner up before you go and make sure the history tallies with the mots. If the bloke wants a sale and you are clear that you are busy, at a distance, have been messed about before.... Then it seems like a fair request Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Ask for loads of pictures and ask him to send you any with any damage visible. Ask him to do things like count stone chips and measure any marks. If he does it then he is probably pretty honest, if not then steer clear. Make him work for his commission. But at the end of the day, its a bit of a lottery Hope you get what you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 you probably already know this but a registration check can bring up the cars history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermincinerator Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Rather then ask him questions about the car get him to describe the car to you, dont ask a question where you can get a "yes mate" answer Say i am enquiring about the car please can you describe it fully for me, if he does not tell you everything you want to hear just say is there anything else you need to add. Then on what he has told you rather then what you asked you can make the decision to go and veiw the vehicle. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedwickedmotox Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Tell him if its not as described you will bill him for fuel and labour at current rate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 When I get there I know how to tell if it is any good or not and can check it out through service records, vehicle checks etc. I have even downloaded a very thorough buyers guide for the particular vehicle. It gives lots of insider tips to spot major accident damage, engine problems etc. The problem I have is that many people in car sales rely on the fact that if they get enough people through the door then someone will buy. I dont want to travel all that way just to be one of the "people through the door". There is no consequence to the dealer if I drive 200 miles round trip and it is a horrible motor. I can hear it now "Oh sorry about that, we think it is a lovely car...." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 come on then, what is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Start the telephone conversation "I own a jiffy bag production plant and....." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ME Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Good one Gram. It isnt a trumpet blowing thread either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonsterandmerlin. Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Honesty ummm Cookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSPUK Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 If you think it might be OK - go anyway then just look around as if you are a tyre kicker then say is this thing anygood - I did just that to go see a Audi A3 - car was blocked in a showroom so said to him will be back Sunday as there is a clay shooting ground a mile away - said we can talk about price when I come back - He said you can try - best answer he ever gave - back on net and bought a virtually new car for less than Audi !! tossa car dealers. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 If I was going to do anything I would ask the dealer for the name and address of the last owner (make sure the last owner had the car for over 1 year) and then phone them up. If he won't give out that info then it's got problems and a history that the dealer would prefer you not to know about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 similar to mungs idea, i bought an old beemer a few years back, looked through the service history and rang the garage that did the work to find out more, did the trick and i bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 ME was with me when I was looking at an old 1 owner Sportrak. Got the previous owners name and address off the service history in the glove box, a quick 118 for the phone number and spoke to her. Older posh lady said she regretted chopping it in for a newer 4x4 and wanted it back.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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