AutoQuake 2nd hand car sale - any one brought from?

jgc

OK.... Updates so far....


Despite many telephone calls I have not received any further communication from Autoquake regarding the car or the photographs promised or the HPI check data.

I have this morning been contacted by another staff member wanting to know what I wanted photographs of... Hopefully they will come today...

I'll update as I go....

trumpton

Autoquake boasts that 'all our cars go through a 120 point inspection' - that'll be the MOT then won't it, not some exclusive Autoquake super-detailed going over? I really wouldn't trust any company that has to ask it's customers to post on websites recommending them.

robbieb34

Errata wrote: »

Very intersting, but I can't understand why you don't get the AA to inspect it. Dings and dents are small matters, an engine on the point of falling to bits is somewhat different, and not one that can be assessed through a photograph.

This is SO TRUE!! jgc for goodness sake do yourself a big favour go and see the car, meet the people, drive it, test it properly and then put your deposit down and get an inspection on it-simple. Getting photos of little bits damage on the car is not going to help you if the gearbox fails on the way home. The warranty may cover costs but it definately will not cover you for the heartache, hassle and embarrassment breaking down in a car you've just shelled out for causes.

Its a complete waste of time paying deposits looking at photos and relying on bias inspections carried out by the same people that are trying to sell you a car. I can't believe that so many poeple are falling for this emotional commitment technique. Would you put a deposit down on a house before you've walked in the front door NO! Would you then take it as read that the vendor has carried out all the repairs NO!

You might get lucky buying blind in this way but then again you may not and don't think that the blue low spec mondeo estate is going to get snapped up in this market, there is a plethora of cars for sale in the UK now and there will always be.

jgc

OK - You are all quite right in general. Go and visit, test drive the car etc. I do not disagree. However, I have chosen to purchase like this and it is a change from the norm and it'll be interesting to see how it works out.

So far, autoquake whilst not the most knowledgeable people to deal with have decided to repair any undisclosed damage for free and discount the car... so far all good.

There will always be people who are passionate about their particular way of purchasing vehicles however, these updates are for people who are considering autoquake.

Also, bear in mind, as it's distance selling there is a legal 14 day money back no quibble guarantee (although granted autoquake state it's 7 days but hey)

I will let you know whether it ends up being an excellent deal or a painful experiment

deanos

jgc wrote: »

Also, bear in mind, as it's distance selling there is a legal 14 day money back no quibble guarantee (although granted autoquake state it's 7 days but hey)

DSR is 7 working days from delivery not 14 days

jkspoff

I am also currently considering buying a car from Autoquake. I would be tempted to treat it as a simplified car auction, their stance in the market is between a car supermarket and car auction, the prices are rock bottom, but as with any used car with higher mileage as these tend to be, they will at some point go wrong. Get an independent used car warranty, drive away and don't deal direct with them again. The best car I ever bought was from a car auction for a fraction of the cost of a dealers car, I took the risk and a year later still happy with my bargain. You get what you pay for, pay a cheap price you take the risks that go with it. I would not hesitate to buy one from here, but test drive it first and give it the once over, don'y go on pictures alone.

markollyh

I've now had the Mazda 6 for just over 1 month and thought I'd leave a post to give an update. Still really happy with the car and no problems at all (touch wood). Having cleaned the car several times I have noticed the odd minor scratch that I'd maybe not noticed when I first bought the car.

This is actually my wife's car and she is delighted with it. The best car she's ever owned and she's owned several cars.

I'll definitely consider Autoquake when upgrading my own car. Lets hope their prices stay competitive.

PeteP_2

It is so obvious that some of the Autoquake employees have logged under her in various disguises to balance up this thread it is laughable.

After buying a Mazda RX-8 from Autoquake over 2 months ago, I’m going through what can only be described a miserable time with them. I brought the vehicle from the B’ham depot and despite this looking & feeling like a POW camp, wasn’t too put off as the vehicle with low mileage was a good price and it is self evident that they are company running at low costs to maximise profitability.

It was evident that the sales tem who took me around the vehicle and came out with me on the Test Drive didn’t have the first clue about what he was selling, but I was able to give it a good going over. His lack of experience shone through when he tried to sell the warranty and as I have previously had problems with claiming back on warranties declined.

However the very next day when I was driving on a Dual Carriageway the Coolant warning light flashed up, but disappeared after 5 minutes. A few weeks ago I was on the Motorway when the same thing happened again and this was closely followed by the Check Engine light. I took the car straight to my garage, who after invesitigation said the CAT Box had gone at least but this could extend to the whole exhaust and could spiral to cost £1,000’s.

I called Autoquake and this lead to my first experience with Raj. I explained the problem and he advised that as I didn’t take the extended warranty is was not their responsibility, as it exceeded their 7 day warranty. After explaining to him that it is not a 7 day warranty but a full money back guarantee if the vehicle wasn’t up to specification. After I explained by law that a garage has to provide a 3 month warranty for any mechanical faults if you have paid over £1,000 for a vehicle, he tried to fob me off by saying they are not a garage. No Raj it was obvious that you are a Fishmongers.

I then spoke to Consumer Direct/Trading Standards who advised me to call them back and see if they take responsibility. This time I spoke to some other guy, but when he got my details up on the screen transferred me back to the witless wonder Raj. After stating the Sales of Goods Act 1979, which I know to great extent as I work in Insurance/Law, Raj advised he will speak to them himself and then call me back. What a surprise no response from Raj, I take this that either he didn’t bother or he did and realised they were liable, but didn’t want to admit it, either way not a way to treat your customer.

I have since spoken with Consumer Direct/Trading Standards and a recorded letter was sent to Garry Hobson, Autoquake CEO, requesting a response in 14 days. I’m currently on day 7 and yet not a peep.

This is very unfortunate, because I’m left with a car which is barely operational but also because I had quite a few friends and colleagues looking at cars on their site, who are currently put off by their shambles of after sales.

I will continue to update you with any response I may get from them however, at the moment I wouldn’t recommend Autoquake to anyone as they are acting like a bunch of cowboys who are only interested in your money and not looking after their customers. I hope they can prove me wrong and take responsibility by dealing with my problem, if not it looks like Trading Standards will be paying them a visit and they will be having a date in the Civil Court.

Errata

However the very next day when I was driving on a Dual Carriageway the Coolant warning light flashed up, but disappeared after 5 minutes.

You might have saved yourself a lot of trouble if you'd paid heed to the warning.

PeteP_2

Following my comment two days ago i thought it was only fair to update this on the current developments.

After getting home that evening i had a letter from Martyn, Autoquakes Customer Service Manager, apologising for the problems i had suffered and if i could take the vehicle to my local Nationwide Autocentre for a diagnosis. He even provided me with the details of my local Autocentre and confirmed once they had done a thorough check to contact him directly and he will authorise the work.

I must add that i am very impressed with Nationwide Autocentre, the customer service they offer was potentially the best i had every received and although there was initially problems contacting Martyn at Autoquake as he was in meetings. The repair has been authorised and will be carried out tomorrow.

I'm glad to inform that Autoquake have managed to make me change my view of them and they have taken responsibility for the vehicle rather than try and fob me off. This just proves that it is always best to speak to the Organ Grinder rather than the Monkey.