Ford Direct vs Ford Authorised Dealership

SteelSpark

Hi,
I am planning on buying a Ford Focus and had originally planned to buy one that was part of their Ford Direct scheme.

However, I have been offered a Focus that seems to be a fairly good price by a dealership that I understand is an authorised dealership (they do sell Ford Direct cars), but the car is not part of the Ford Direct scheme.

The car is an 09 reg, about 6 months old, with about 7,000 miles on the clock and I understand that it has been a demo car. The salesman has told me that the car will still have a 2.5 year warranty (the original 3 year warranty minus the first 6 months), Ford Direct cars seem to have 2 years (although presumably this car would have 2.5 years even if it was a Ford Direct).

I am trying to research the difference between a Ford Direct car and just a car that comes from an authorised Ford dealer. I know that they have been reconditioned by Ford, have the 2 year warranty, and 1 year roadside assistance, but I can't figure out if Ford have an "approved used car" scheme apart from the Ford Direct scheme (for cars sold via authorised dealers), and the possible impact on:

* Condition
* Warranty
* Value
* Re-sale value
* Any of risks

for a non-Ford Direct car (other manufacturers do seem to have approved used car schemes, with definite criteria for condition).

I am going to keep investigating, and am going to ask the dealer some more questions, but I would appreciate any other impartial advice.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Altarf

Ford Direct cars have been "owned" by Ford since they were manufactured, and although the dealer will tell you that they have been employee or company cars, the majority have been leased to daily rental companies like Hertz.

Unlike the Ford manufacturer warranty, to keep the Ford Direct warranty valid it must be serviced at a Ford dealer. However it has higher mileage limits before it ceases being valid (which may or may not be relevant to you).

I believe that the breakdown cover is 2 years not 1.

For the "demo" car you are looking at (which seems to have done quite a few miles for a demo), I would want to see the V5, and if doesn't have the dealers name on it, it isn't a demo car.

blueboy2001

Ford Direct is Ford's approved used car scheme.

The cars are used by Ford employees or leased out on short term deals. Ford take them back and they go through a a refurbishment centre (in Kent I think) where they are cleaned, serviced if necessary and have any cosmetic repairs carried out so they are generally mint when they get to the dealers.

The Ford Direct warranty is very good. Ford's new car warranty, which you will be getting the balance of, has a lot of exclusions after year 1 for items classed as "trim", but this includes things like bumpers, wheels, glass etc. I believe these items would be covered under Ford Direct for the full 2 years.

The dealer may have more room for movement on price on their own car over one they are buying through Ford direct. I can't see any reason why resale value would be different later on.

I've had both Ford Direct cars and nearly new Ford's sourced through other channels - my current Mondeo is an ex Hertz car I bought through a car supermarket, I buy on the basis of the best deal available at the time.

"Demo" cars are generally used as company vehicles by dealership staff as well as customers for test drives etc.

jeannieblue

Give Copthorne Motor Company a try - they are based just a stones throw from Gatwick Airport. I got my Focus from there at a fantastic price. They seem to get alot of ex lease cars - some had not even been registered. They do have a website but not all the cars they have are on there so it is worth giving them a call. It is a pain to have to travel - but I found the trip there worth it.

union

Have you tried jenningsforddirect.co.uk ? they seem eagar to please and discount the prices listed on the site without much argument