Beware - Ford New Car Purchasers

gs1647

The moral of my story is that purchasers of new cars should be aware and understand the implications of your car not being delivered on time. I would imagine that most purchasers on 1st March or 1st September will be in the position that continuing to use their existing car after the delivery date is not an option, it has either been sold or will not be taxed, mot’d or insured. Here’s my story:

I have been driving Ford Fiestas for 25 years and have been happy with the driving experience. Like many people I feel disinclined to take the risk of change so at the beginning of January I ordered a new Fiesta for delivery on 1st March. This was despite my previous experience of buying a new Fiesta nine years ago when it was not delivered on time.

At that time the Ford dealer, no longer trading, took in my part exchange vehicle and provided me with a replacement vehicle, insured and with fuel until the new car was delivered 9 days late.

I didn’t believe that lightning could strike twice in the same place, but for me it did.

I was due to collect my new Ford Fiesta on 1st March but at 36 hours notice I was told that it would not be delivered and would not be ready for at least a week. This car was ordered on 11th January, if two months is not enough time to get organised, how long do Ford need?

I was particularly distressed and angry by the attitude shown by the sales rep. When I said that I expected to be provided a with replacement vehicle as I had been 9 years ago her response was ‘I’m not sure if we’ve got any cars available… we’ll try to make sure you’re not off the road’.

I asked that the Sales Manager phone me the following day. When he phoned he told me that he had contacted Ford and they had said ‘THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED’ and it was a dealership issue. He also said that of the 28 new cars due to collected on 1st March four were not ready. I think that this does not reflect at all well on Ford. My strenuous complaints did result in the offer of a replacement vehicle until the new car was delivered.

A lot of people would say I was a fool to stay loyal to Ford following my previous experience and I now have to say they would be right. After talking to several people they say that Ford and large dealerships are both just too big to care about individual customers when things go wrong. Beware!!

Tilt

You would think that with a car such as a Ford Fiesta. you should be able to get one in 2 months. I used to work at a Ford dealers in the mid 90's and we had a spot on a near-by industrial estate full of new cars, some had sat there for 6 months or more. Plus there used to be a 'dealer network' where each dealer would search other dealers around the UK for cars.

Can't re-call not being able to deliver a car on time then so maybe progress has gone backwards at Ford. But you must bear in mind that they don't build any cars in the UK now. Not that that should make much difference as it dosn't seem to delay the other European manufacturers.

In your case I would (personally) cancelled the order if they couldn't honour the delivery date and gone elsewhere. There are plenty of other manufacturers out there who would be "interested" in your business.

hollie.weimeraner

Unfortunately it's not only Ford dealers and it happened a fair bit when all car companies cut back their production when the credit crunch hit. (I bought a VW in 2010 and was sweating on delivery for 2 months). A friend of mine also had the issue with a Vauxhall last September but he got a courtesy car with no problem for 3 days.
The only way around it is to ask the dealer at point of sale "What happens if my car isn't ready? Will you provide me with a courtesy car?" and get it in writing.
I totally synmpathise with you and personally would look to use another dealer next time I changed my car.

agrinnall

What happened to your old car, were you not trading it in for the new one, or did you sell it privately? If the former, which is what most people would do, then I don't see why there would be any need for a temporary vehicle. If the latter, then selling before the new car has turned up at the dealer is always going to be a risk.

Prothet_of_Doom

My dad's retirement car plans were well and truely made stressful for him.

He had had company cars every 3 years for the previous 25 years and had always chosen a Ford Cortina, or later replacements. So with 6 months to retirement, he decided to order a white focus estate, knowing the exact date his car would be taken back. He ordered it from his local Ford dealer, becuase he believes in supporting local businesses and paid through the nose for the 'special order' - the dealership had plenty of green metallic one's in stock it seemed.
2 days before, the dealer rings him to say "Yeah, it'll be late, and no you can't have a courtesy car, and no it's too late to cancel your order, and no we can't give you a delivery date"
And this gamble paid off for the dealer, because he still went back and had it serviced there for 10 years, before he traded it in for another new Focus from the same dealer.

Nodding_Donkey

gs1647 wrote: »

The moral of my story is

Never believe a word a car dealer tells you.

londonTiger

I'm out of this forum due to constant bullying by forum members