Anyone bought from a car supermarket?

[Deleted User]

Just wondered if you got a good deal on a new/nearly new car? If so, where did you buy from? What's the after sales service like or can you go to a local garage if there is a problem?

(I'm asking on behalf of a friend who does not have internet access).

DealDrivers_company_representative

If your car is still under UK warranty you can have it serviced and maintained at any local brand-approved workshop/garage, wherever you happen to live or work when it needs attention. Thats what the dealer servicing networks are there for. A lot of people still seem afraid that they have to take their car back to where they bought it from 'as new'...it is not the case.

Manufacturers approve localised workshops for their servicing to provide a UK wide facility for everyone, wherever thier car is when it needs work doing to it. They'll just tap the chassis and reg' no' into their online systems to check it is still under warranty and away you go. They aren't bothered where you bought it from (unless its a dodgy import) as dealerships earn their biggest money on servicing, not selling, cars.

Think of the thousands of company car drivers on the roads in leasaed or contract-hire cars....theirs aren't bought at their local garage...so don't worry!

If you are buying second hand you need to check how much of its warranty is left and once agin it will be covered by that brand's UK dealer network until the warranty expires. However, if you buy from a re-seller offering you 'their own' warranty as the car comes with none of its normal 3yr UK warranty left, clearly you'll be limited to just their own workshop location for any work under that re-sellers warranty.

Hope this makes sense! If you are buying new.. just don't worry!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the reply.

khizman

also avoid carcraft.
there are 2 types of supermarkets, finance houses and car sellers.

The finance places are there to sell you overpriced cars on finance.
the car sellers are there to shift as many cars as possible for as little as possible.

Its obvious which one to go to.

finance place - carcraft, i dont know any others.
car seller- cargiant, hilton garage

wobblegobble

I purchased my Seat Ibiza from Motorhouse 2000 in 2004 and am looking to buy from them again in the next few months.Saved about £1500 on the price I would have paid at a main dealer. Only worrying thing is that you cant take the car for a test drive, which did concern me quite a bit as it is the one thing which I considered non-negotiable. However the cars are mainly ex rental company, well looked after and come with a six month warranty so you should mostly be ok. Can't speak for other supermarkets though.

plane_boy2000

I have bought from Motorpoint. They were OK and also operated a no test drive policy, but to be honest the stuff they sell is either used or up to about 18 months old, and unless you are a trained mechanic you are unlikley to be able to find anything wrong. Price was good, but collecting the car was slow. it was like being in a post office on pension day - all the cars are rammed in so they only allow collections on one or two days a week hence everybody turns up at the same time. Watch out for hidden charges - I think motorpoint charge you for new number plates (even though you dont need them on used cars) an "admnistration charge" and if you want the car cleaned a valet charge. Add all this up and sometimes the cars are not as cheep as they appear. My last car came from a main dealer and was comparable to some of the stock at car supermarkets, but the delear was able to negotiate with me on the price, offered a far better part ex and didnt add any hidden charges such as admin, valet etc, and they also gave the car a full service even though it wasnt due.

All in all car supermarkets can offer good value, but it is worth taking a trip to your local dealer to see what you can negotiate as you may be surprised.

plane_boy2000

Forgot to add - most car supermarkets will not haggle - the price on the screen is what you will pay - plus any admin charges etc, and when looking for a new car you should remember that the improtant price is the price to change. Its no good getting a really cheep car if they give you a low part ex, and limited aftersales support

[Deleted User]

Thanks. I've printed this thread off for her.

stumpjumper

I bought my car from Fords of Winsford nearly 3 years ago. Fantastic service, got a test drive and no pressure to take their finance. The screen price wasn't negotiable, but I wasn't bothered as it was the chepest I'd seen that particular car. I'm still running the car and it's fine. Thankfully there wasn't any hidden charges, just had to pay the road tax and collected it in a few days.

Definately steer clear of the likes of car craft as previous posters have mentioned! Shabby overpriced cars on dodgy finance deals, the only thing that place is good for is going to have a sit in and a poke round models of cars you're interested in then walking away.

Paul1_2

Hi,

I bought my Ford Focus from All Brands New in Hull and saved £3000 on my local dealer. Company works on high volume, making £500 per car, cars can be collected or delivered to you.

Service was excellent and this is based on having a problem resulting from the wrong type of alarm being fitted. One phone call and they agreed for the car to have a new alarm fitted locally to me and refunded the cost the same day they received a copy of the bill from me.

I for one would never go near a dealer again and as a previous post confirmed your warrant cover can be provided by any dealer in the UK.

https://www.allbrandsnew.co.uk

Paul1