Car Finance nightmare!

serverking

I am looking to change my car and saw a nice X5 at a dealer in Wales. On AutoTrader he was offering the car for £15,995 (http://www.penybanc-carcentre.com/) so I placed a deposit on it. He said he'd take it off the site and not to worry, the car is safe.

He said he's a registered dealer with Close Motor Finance, and would process the application (this was on Wednesday 13th) and everything would be fine. It turns out that when I did a search for the car on the DVLA site, it's not found (false plates?). He claimed it was a Cherished Plate and it's being transferred across. Though when I input the alleged Cherished Plate details, that never came up either :eek:

Obviously it's made me worried and I want to forget it and get back my deposit. As I'm 170 miles away, I think he's going to fob me off. Is there any law regarding deposit and claiming it back or do I have to notify my bank?

Turned out he's not quite a registered member of Close Motor Finance, but using a mate's login called "Roy Parr" :eek:

He said he doesn't give deposits back and said he is keeping my card details on file. Is there anything I can do?

ppc1

I'm no expert on buying cars, however for peace of mind I would carry out a full HPI check, you need the chassis or VIN number from the engine mount and other details such as registration number. The cost is £20. When you visit the car, re-check the number yourself! You could also carry out an AA/RAC car check for the condition etc. It depends how much you want to be sure it is legit! That is a sizable sum of money, personally I would pay it.

ppc1

Obviously it's made me worried and I want to forget it and get back my deposit. As I'm 170 miles away, I think he's going to fob me off. Is there any law regarding deposit and claiming it back or do I have to notify my bank?

He said he doesn't give deposits back and said he is keeping my card details on file. Is there anything I can do?[/QUOTE]

A deposit is a bond on your part to purchase the vehicle, I understand the dealer took it off the market. it is highly unlikely you will get your cash back. Notifying your bank will not work as the dealer will dispute that the cash was taken as a deposit and you then changed your mind?

What checks had you carried out on the car regarding its status?

I would also add that the car dealer in question gets reasonable reviews and I could not see any county court judgements registered against this company and it is registered with companies house.

BugsyBrowne

Always carry out a check on absolutely everything about the car before putting a deposit down.

He will also say because he took the car off the FC it could've sold in that time so he'll keep your deposit for that.

Apples2

Just your signature on here is enough let alone a defaulted Welcome secured loan.

Splashing £16k (let's call it £32k for the sake of poor credit rates) because you fancy a nice X5?

Make me shudder that you've already paid a deposit, to a dealer who turns out isn't a dealer on a car with no identity from someone who has no money and a defaulted secured loan.... What can possibly go wrong?

iolanthe07

Well spotted, Apples. It is amazing how people, when confronted with a hole, will just dig deeper.

fluffymuffy

Sounds like fraud to me. Perhaps call your local police station?

Apples2

Wonder what the "dealers" name was our OP gave his deposit to?

Domain Name: penybanc-carcentre.com
Registry Domain ID:
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.ascio.com
Registrar URL: http://www.ascio.com
Updated Date: 2012-12-08T11:08:26Z
Creation Date: 2011-12-06T11:08:46Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2013-12-06T00:00:00Z
Registrar: Ascio Technologies, Inc
Registrar IANA ID: 106
Registrar Abuse Contact Email:
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +44.2070159370
Reseller:
Domain Status: ACTIVE
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Mr Richard Safadi
Registrant Organization: Penybanc Car Centre
Registrant Street: 96 Penybanc Road
Registrant City: Ammanford
Registrant State/Province:
Registrant Postal Code: SA18 3QS
Registrant Country: GB
Registrant Phone:
Registrant Phone Ext:

Mr S. seems to get around a bit in Wales, behind bars a few times too (and not serving Lager)

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/removals-con-man-jailed-four-2464565

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3181040.stm

He (and his sibling) also gets a mention here
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?483912-South-Wales-Guys-Please-Look!

Pixie5740

I would do searches as ppc1 has suggested to make sure this chap a) is the registered owner and therefore able to sell the car and b) that there is no outstanding finance secured on the vehicle. If he isn't legally able to sell you the car then you might have a case for getting your deposit back. However, you might just need to face losing your deposit and be thankful you don't have to enter into a credit agreement with this shady sounding fellow.

As Apple points out, going by your signature why would you even consider getting into more debt to buy this car. Whilst BMWs are lovely cars they can also be expensive to maintain (I say this as a BMW owner myself but I went into it with my eyes wide open.) so have you taken this into account? I also wouldn't put a deposit down on a car I'd never clapped eyes on even if I was 170 miles away.

If you're concerned about this person having your card details, contact your bank and have them issue a new card.

27col

Why the hell would anyone put down a deposit on a car 170 miles away that they have not even seen. The mind boggles.

poppasmurf_bewdley

27col wrote: »

Why the hell would anyone put down a deposit on a car 170 miles away that they have not even seen. The mind boggles.

Exactly what I have said on many threads on this forum, yet they still do it.

It's not as if an X5 is a particularly rare car. There are thousands of them around.

Unfortunately, some people seem to fall in love with the first car they see (or read about) and then stop looking. Then they put a deposit down, fearing someone else is going to jump in and buy it from under their nose, despite it being on the forecourt for weeks due to it being overpriced in the first place.

Having worked for a car dealer many years ago, I know dealers always have it in their mind that someone, somewhere will buy any car no matter how overpriced it is if you wait long enough.