Quick trade in question

aliasojo

Garage has looked at our car and given us a trade-in value against a used one they are selling. The salesman walked round the car and noted any bodywork issues but not once did he ask if the car has any mechanical issues or if it drives ok etc. Nor did he start the engine. All he asked was what was on the clock.

The car has problems in that it loses power for no apparent reason occasionally and there are obvious warning lights on the dash coming on. Only 'occasionally' seems to be much more frequently now, especially when you first try to drive off. The changeover isn't due for some time due to things being done on the car we're getting and I'm worried about the saleman all of a sudden asking questions about it's reliability or wanting to take it out for a test drive to confirm it drives ok.

I dont want to lie so if he decides to ask when we're exchanging then I'd be stuck and I'd have to tell him but surely if he needed to know then he would have asked already? Or could this be an oversight on his part and if he later finds out the car doesn't drive at all well (or even at all sometimes :rolleyes:) then he'd re-assess the trade in price offered or even if he'd take it at all?

I've been trying to take the attitude of 'tough, if he needed to know, he should have asked and it's too late now'...but in reality this is worrying me and I'm wondering if we might have a problem looming? My OH says as long as it drives onto their forecourt then that's proof enough it drives...whatever happens after we get out the car from that point on is not our problem. (I think this is a show of male bravado and he's secretly concerned also. :rolleyes:)

We haven't driven the car since the salesman saw it btw and dont intend to, until the day we have to take it to the garage again.

Thoughts please?

Chippy_Minton_2

No doubt the car will be put straight into trade and you have been offered trade (bottom book) price.

aliasojo

And that being the case, we dont need to be concerned?

Chippy_Minton_2

Don't worry about it the last four I traded were never driven by the garage and they stuck by their price. Trade price is exactly what it is the car will be sold straight on and they are only interested in your new sale.

GT60

If the car you are getting is nearly new i would check the price of a new car.
As the are going cheaper than a second hand one because of the slump in the used car market.
For E.G Mazda 6 new £12500 for e.g used 08 mazda 6 same spec £13000
Heard this on 5 live money this morning.

aliasojo

Thanks niall but we're not in that league I'm afraid. (Our replacement car is classed as used as opposed to nearly new, lol) I did read a thread on here about exactly the same thing though.

steveo3002

dont say a word about no faults..theyre out to give you rock bottom prices

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

What age and model is the trade in car?

What price have you been offered?

If its an old banger they probably won't care, if its newer and more valuable they may claim they expected it to be safe and reliable.

aliasojo

No it's old and has plenty on the clock lol. All the salesman said was 'it's a clean car for it's age' and he commented about how good the interior still looked.

Chippy_Minton_2

and thats all he'll be interested in.