recommendations (or otherwise) of car dealers

BigAl94

One to avoid http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/car-dealer-tried-to-sell-clocked-vehicle-to-undercover-officers-16154275.html

goosyloo

Just wanted to put up a quick warning in relation to this thread. I bought my first car in April. The sale was brokered by a staff member from Charles Hurst - basically, he said his neighbour was planning to sell a car through the dealership, but hadn't yet brought it to the showroom. He oversaw the whole sale, including taking me for a test drive in the car, and was present at the exchange of documents/cash. Almost as soon as I got the car home, I started to have problems with it. I know it's 'buyer beware!', so I didn't exactly expect him to take responsibility for these problems (admittedly, it was a grey area, being that the car had not yet gone down to the dealership, but when I met with him he represented himself as a staff member etc). All that I asked for was the contact number of the neighbour who had originally owned the car - and who had told me that he was a mechanic, and had serviced the car himself, so that I could get some more information, and maybe get to the bottom of the problems. He wouldn't provide this. To this day, he has not answered calls or text messages regarding contact details for the previous owner of the car. It's up for MOT in a week and I'm having to declare it SORN because it won't pass. The car wasn't exactly a steal at £900, so I'm pretty gutted. If this is the type of suspect dealing done by staff members outside the dealership, I can only suggest buyers stay away!

dumbo

goosyloo wrote: »

Just wanted to put up a quick warning in relation to this thread. I bought my first car in April. The sale was brokered by a staff member from Charles Hurst - basically, he said his neighbour was planning to sell a car through the dealership, but hadn't yet brought it to the showroom. He oversaw the whole sale, including taking me for a test drive in the car, and was present at the exchange of documents/cash. Almost as soon as I got the car home, I started to have problems with it. I know it's 'buyer beware!', so I didn't exactly expect him to take responsibility for these problems (admittedly, it was a grey area, being that the car had not yet gone down to the dealership, but when I met with him he represented himself as a staff member etc). All that I asked for was the contact number of the neighbour who had originally owned the car - and who had told me that he was a mechanic, and had serviced the car himself, so that I could get some more information, and maybe get to the bottom of the problems. He wouldn't provide this. To this day, he has not answered calls or text messages regarding contact details for the previous owner of the car. It's up for MOT in a week and I'm having to declare it SORN because it won't pass. The car wasn't exactly a steal at £900, so I'm pretty gutted. If this is the type of suspect dealing done by staff members outside the dealership, I can only suggest buyers stay away!

I would definately be having a word with citizens advice regarding this as he stated he was a representative of Charles Hurst. This gave you a false sense of security.

goosyloo

I know - he was wearing his Charles Hurst fleece and everything! But I feel so stupid for buying a car that didn't even last 6 months, I am almost too embarrassed to talk to anyone about it.

irishjohn

Where did you meet this member of Charles Hurst Staff? If you were in a dealership and he pointed you in the direction of his neighbour instead I would be going back and advising him that he needs to give you some more information otherwise you will be forced to make yourself known to the Dealer Principal at Charles Hurst.

I have some years experience of the Motor Trade and your story rings alarm bells in my head.

I could imagine a scenario where this car was actually a P/X in Hursts and then "bought" for peanuts by this guy's neighbour posing as a "dealer" and then "sold" to you when the Charles Hurst guy persuaded you to look at a private buy from his neighbour rather than look at something from Charles Hurst.

goosyloo

What is a P/X? I'm so sorry, I don't know very much about cars.

I had contacted the dealership and then the guy got in touch with me. Somewhat convolutedly,his parents were apparently friends of friends of my parents,or something?

My initial plan was to buy something from the dealership but I was told the car would end up costing me more if it went through those channels. I know I sound really naive - I guess I am, which is why I feel just so silly. I just don't feel like I'd have a leg to stand on because of the way I agreed to do it. It's been so rotten, but I've kind of resigned myself to stopping driving. It's just been such a constant battle, practically since day one! But I know it's my own stupidity and just really hope no one else gets caught out like this.

goosyloo

(Actually,even not knowing what a P/X is I understand the scenario you're describing and it really seems to me you might be right.)

ballyblack

P/X

= PART EXCHANGE or TRADE-IN

A £900 car is banger money in the trade

It seems you bought this car private and its purchase is nothing legally to do with Charles Hurst

Can you prove he coaxed you to buy the vehicle from his neighbour?

Where was the deal finalised, on Charles Hurst's premises?

Any witnesses?

Did he handle the money etc? or just introduce you?

irishjohn

goosyloo wrote: »

What is a P/X? I'm so sorry, I don't know very much about cars.

I had contacted the dealership and then the guy got in touch with me. Somewhat convolutedly,his parents were apparently friends of friends of my parents,or something?

My initial plan was to buy something from the dealership but I was told the car would end up costing me more if it went through those channels. I know I sound really naive - I guess I am, which is why I feel just so silly. I just don't feel like I'd have a leg to stand on because of the way I agreed to do it. It's been so rotten, but I've kind of resigned myself to stopping driving. It's just been such a constant battle, practically since day one! But I know it's my own stupidity and just really hope no one else gets caught out like this.

This is very suspicious - He has taken your details from his workplace and stepped in as a private dealer to sell you an old banger - I would be going back to him and telling him you intend to follow this up - Charles Hurst will have a record of your telephone call and possibly have added you to their database. It may well be that the guy identified that you were looking for a cheap car which Charles Hurst could not provide but unless he contacted you honestly and explained all this I would suspect he has conned you and needs to be investigated. Charles Hurst would not tolerate any member of staff doing this.

Mike1966

All dealers will have customers that sing their praises and those that feel they got a bum deal.
I have bought my last 3 cars from Hursts and all went well.
Before that it was Sere when they had a place on Ladas Drive and again all went well.
But others may have different stories to tell.
Also got a family member 2 of his last cars from Phillips on the Rosetta road and again all was well.

I would say though that its well worth spending the money on getting an AA or RAC report on any car you are thinking about buying.:beer: