Buying a car with bad breaks

prowla

I think it is perfectly reasonable to drive a car and say "I'll buy it if you fix A, B, C, and D" - why not?

I've done that - I did a test drive and did the deal subject to an MOT; the MOT test showed that the car needed new brakes and that was done. The dealer said they would and kept to their word, and I was happy.

Nobody is suggesting that the OP takes delivery of the car in an unsafe condition are they?

maninthestreet

If the dealer is good to his word, and fixes the brakes, then there will be no problem. But if the dealer comes back and says there is no problem with the brakes, the OP has given them a deposit that may be difficult to get back if the OP doesn't want to buy it due to the braking fault.

Destination_..._?

What I find baffling and confusing is why is this dealer selling a car with brake issues and shockingly customer asking him to repair them for him.

Wouldn't it be a good buisness sense for this dealer to fix these brakes prior to his potential customers finding it out for themselves , and then walking away disappointed .

colino

In theory a car is presented for sale, "ready to go". In reality the level of readiness will vary from trader to trader (although they should all be roadworthy).
Some will constantly have cards in the windows with tosh about, "awaiting preparation", basically just as it came as a trade-in or off the auctions trailer; through to traders who immaculate the cars, but don't spend a penny otherwise; right up to the cars that really are turn-key deals. Cars that have been fettled in every department and are just waiting for the next bum in the seat.
I would say the majority of dealers are now in the middle sector, making the cars superficially as attractive as possible and waiting for a genuine prospect before anything involving the workshop is considered. This is good for cashflow and some buyers can be impressed that a dealer has "had to" throw money at a car just for them.

[Deleted User]

Just out of interest, how much deposit did you pay OP?

bargainbetty

Just a thought, but I tried this once when refused the refund of a deposit and it worked a charm. I had ordered a wedding dress, and they made it in entirely the wrong fabric, wrong colour too. They tried to claim they could keep the depoist for the material, which wasn't what I had ordered, and I could prove it.

I waited for about an hour, and every time a new customer came in, I would very loudly call over to the assistant 'Have you got my money yet, or are you still refusing to repay me though you've cocked up my wedding dress three weeks before my wedding?' Got every penny back after the fourth would-be bride walked back out again.

Try a variation on that - if they won't pay up, point out that you can't afford to go to lunch now, so you'll just hang about there...