Car buying advice...

welshy1982

Hi - sorry to bother you all, but got a weird situation which I need advice on, prior to going into my car dealers office and start shouting the odds...

Bought a car about 2 months ago, second hand but a 58 plate so relatively new - on the info for the car it was sold with a full service history...this is from a reputable (didn't say this was a good reputation mind) national car dealer...every time I have bought a car before, I have always paid a deposit, then picked it up a few days later once all checks have been completed...however there was a "sale" on, and they insisted I drive the car away same day - so was a bit rushed...we were told to take it back the following week for a valet, and to pick up some extras (car mats and stuff)...

When we got home (my wife had driven home and taken the key off the salesman, I was more the silent partner on this one) I realised that firstly we didn't have the service history, manuals or any other paperwork other than finance docs, and secondly they hadn't given us the spare keys...

A couple of months on, I accept that they may not be obliged to give me the spare key, however where do I stand in terms of the documents, booklets and service history (I have received the V5 from DVLA)...I have spoken to them every other week since I bought the car and they keep promising to get back to me, but nothing ever actually gets done...

Sorry for the ramble...thanks

gilbert_and_sullivan

There is a chain dealership that works on getting the car sold and gone the same day, within the hour if they can, the reason for this is so the unwary buyer doesn't realise just what a stitch up the finance is till it's too late.

I don't know how you'll get the paperwork to be honest, they've got your dosh and that seems to be all they were interested in.

I bet they don't get another sale from you though.

You might be able to find out out the service history by going to the service desk of a main dealer of your make and asking them if they have any computerised records,

welshy1982

To be honest, the finance isn't the problem - and it's not the first car I have bought from them...however I feel that if the car was advertised as having full service history, then surely the sale doesn't match the description? They keep telling me they have the docs, but then won't hand them over...which to me means they've lost them...

harveybobbles

58 plate car with full service history could just be the one service... So ask them who did the service and buy your own duplicate book and sort it yourself...

Also, going in and shouting the odds will make them less likely to look for the service book and/or help you out. Infact if you came to me shouting the odds, I'd post a service book to you. For the wrong car. And possibly without a postage stamp to really annoy you.

LandyAndy

A 58 plate car is likely to have been serviced so far at a main dealer for that marque. Call in at your local main dealer's service department and ask them what is recorded. They should have access to records of any work done at any main dealer. Ask them for a printout.

Main dealer should be able to provide a handbook as well.

LandyAndy

harveybobbles wrote: »

58 plate car with full service history could just be the one service... So ask them who did the service and buy your own duplicate book and sort it yourself...

Also, going in and shouting the odds will make them less likely to look for the service book and/or help you out. Infact if you came to me shouting the odds, I'd post a service book to you. For the wrong car. And possibly without a postage stamp to really annoy you.

Why would you do that instead of providing the documents you had advertised that you had?

Inactive

harveybobbles wrote: »

58 plate car with full service history could just be the one service... So ask them who did the service and buy your own duplicate book and sort it yourself...

Also, going in and shouting the odds will make them less likely to look for the service book and/or help you out. Infact if you came to me shouting the odds, I'd post a service book to you. For the wrong car. And possibly without a postage stamp to really annoy you.

...and Motor Dealers wonder why they are such a hated species.:(

welshy1982

harveybobbles wrote: »

58 plate car with full service history could just be the one service... So ask them who did the service and buy your own duplicate book and sort it yourself...

Also, going in and shouting the odds will make them less likely to look for the service book and/or help you out. Infact if you came to me shouting the odds, I'd post a service book to you. For the wrong car. And possibly without a postage stamp to really annoy you.

I'm fairly confident I wouldn't buy a car from you in that case...

For an example, let's say I am a TV salesman and I sell you a TV, but when you get it home the number 3 button is missing, so you can't watch Coronation Street or The Ferret (whatever it is that stroppy car salesmen watch these days...)...would you come and ask me for a replacement remote? If I said go away and sort it yourself would you be 100% satisfied?

The truth of the matter is, when I bought the car it was advertised with full service history...when I asked about the docs, I was promised (I admit naivety got the better of me - I swear to god you car salesmen must all be members of the !!!!!! Turpin appreciation society) that they were in a cabinet in the office and I would get them the following week...today they have admitted to me that they never had them in the first place, was I misled? I reckon so...I see your point, I could chase down these things myself, but as a matter of principle i won't - if I enter into a transaction with someone, my reasonable expectation is that the merchant satisifies all of the terms which they are responsible for.

Furthermore, they do not have the documents - so how will they know who did the service? Is there a national computer system, or should they just magic it out of thin air?

I think (and I am not looking to enter into a debate or argument with you here) that your attitude as a trader is shocking - I assume you were being slightly facetious, if not, I am amazed that you have such a disregard for the fundamental standards of Customer service...

If you refer to my original post, I actually requested advice on whether the dealer has any obligation to provide me with documents which had been promised during the negotiation of the sale - in terms of me shouting the odds, perhaps this was my turn to be somewhat facetious...I am articulate enough to discuss this matter like a reasonable human being, however what I am not au fait with, are my rights given the situation. Considering this has been ongoing for 2 months now, and that I have had to do literally all of the chasing, coupled with the fact that on several occasions the salespeople and management have lied to my face (and been caught in those lies), I think I am allowed to be somewhat irritated.

If you've nothing constructive, or technically correct to say on this matter - perhaps your best contribution going forward would be silence...it is, after all golden.

Apologies to everyone else for my rant :beer:

welshy1982

LandyAndy wrote: »

A 58 plate car is likely to have been serviced so far at a main dealer for that marque. Call in at your local main dealer's service department and ask them what is recorded. They should have access to records of any work done at any main dealer. Ask them for a printout.

Main dealer should be able to provide a handbook as well.

Presumably this is a national thing then? (please excuse my ignorance, my knowledge on cars is pretty limited to forward, backwards and round corners movement)...I will have to dig out the V5, but I presume even if the car was originally bought from a VW dealer 200 miles away, my local VW official dealer should be able to tell me the history (unless this has been done privately, which I agree is unlikely)...

Thanks

mikey72

harveybobbles wrote: »

58 plate car with full service history could just be the one service... So ask them who did the service and buy your own duplicate book and sort it yourself...

Also, going in and shouting the odds will make them less likely to look for the service book and/or help you out. Infact if you came to me shouting the odds, I'd post a service book to you. For the wrong car. And possibly without a postage stamp to really annoy you.

"***Trading Standards Approved Motor Trader***"

Once again putting it into perspective with another classic answer.

Inactive

mikey72 wrote: »

"***Trading Standards Approved Motor Trader***"

Once again putting it into perspective with another classic answer.

Indeed, it shows just how much value any prospective car buyers should place in that statement.