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Buying 2nd Hand - Can't find dealer on CH!?

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Hi,

I'm in the process of buying a used car. I've seen something I like on Auto Trader and I'm planning to arrange a visit and a test drive on the weekend.

I've checked Companies House though and the dealership is not listed there! There's no company number on their website, I'm not sure whether to go ahead or not.

I can't post a link to the website on here but they're called M&T Motor Company and they're based in Newbury near Reading. There is a company with the same name in nearby Thatcham, also not listed on CH.

Any help/advice you can offer will be much appreciated.

Ta.

Comments

  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi,

    I'm in the process of buying a used car. I've seen something I like on Auto Trader and I'm planning to arrange a visit and a test drive on the weekend.

    I've checked Companies House though and the dealership is not listed there! There's no company number on their website, I'm not sure whether to go ahead or not.

    I can't post a link to the website on here but they're called M&T Motor Company and they're based in Newbury near Reading. There is a company with the same name in nearby Thatcham, also not listed on CH.

    Any help/advice you can offer will be much appreciated.

    Ta.

    They will only be registered at company house if they are a limited company.

    Most small / medium businesses arent.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,929 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    How long have they been there?

    Real address, Landline number so not just a car and a mobile like some sellers.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • LandyAndy
    LandyAndy Posts: 26,377 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Just credit checked them

    They are a not a limited company. One employee. Not considered credit worthy.

    But that would be true of a lot of small used car traders.
  • thenudeone
    thenudeone Posts: 4,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Pay at least £1 by credit card if you can, and you'll receive some protection against problems.

    At least this trader has a physical presence you can see. Several car sales websites appear extremely suspicious to say the least

    There are also various extremely suspicious escrow services on the web which claim to act as a trusted third party in a long-distance car sale. Avoid them at all costs.

    Read more here (especially post 140 onwards)
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3922917
    We need the earth for food, water, and shelter.
    The earth needs us for nothing.
    The earth does not belong to us.
    We belong to the Earth
  • ROY47
    ROY47 Posts: 556 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    edited 5 November 2012 at 9:48PM
    http://whois.domaintools.com/mandtmotorcompany.com is the one at thatchem

    The other one has a website



    http://www.mandtmotorcompany.com/

    If you aren't happy don't buy from them , there's 000's of cars for sale out there
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