When is a 'new' car not new?

Joe_Horner

napoleon1769 wrote: »

If that was the case, then I would be less bothered. Unfortunately, the fleet company (whether bogus or otherwise) claim that they had the vehicle for the first two months. It will therefore show something like

(me) Acquired vehicle on 01/05/2014
(previous registered keeper) Dodgy Fleet Company Ltd. acquired vehicle on 01/03/2014

That'll be part of what DVLA need to iron out.

If the first registration happened on the delvery date, and is now in their system as such, then DVLA won't back-date that. First registration is the absolute start of the car's record with DVLA.

As an example of that (the other way round), we have a 1974 Daf that they show first registered in 1972. That's not physically possible because they didn't start building the particular model until late '73.

When it was new it was put straight onto a private "K" reg plate and DVLA have taken that as it's year. We can't get that corrected without losing the (very appropriate for the car) registration number and getting a random "age related" one instead because that "first registered" date is set in stone.

Similarly, if you can show that you took delivery on a certain date then, when they finally get it sorted, that's the date you'll be shown as the keeper from because that's the date you started keeping it.

It may take a little time, but they will get it worked out in the end.

motorguy

napoleon1769 wrote: »

If that was the case, then I would be less bothered. Unfortunately, the fleet company (whether bogus or otherwise) claim that they had the vehicle for the first two months. It will therefore show something like

(me) Acquired vehicle on 01/05/2014
(previous registered keeper) Dodgy Fleet Company Ltd. acquired vehicle on 01/03/2014

Keep the original bill of sale. Its easily passed off then as was bought through a broker, they had to be first registered keeper - your invoice will clearly show you owned the car from new.

As i said, i've a similar situation at the moment with an MX5.

two registered keepers - the first being the dealer for a day, then the owner from day 2 onwards.

I've even the original bill of sale for the car. Not expecting it to be an issue at all for any buyer

motorguy

neilmcl wrote: »

However, he bought the "new" car in the reasonable expectation that he'd be the first, registered keeper.

And I'm sorry but to the posters who say the number of registered keepers has no effect on the resale of the vehicle are just not being realistic. Yes registered keepers does not equal no. of owners but at the end of the day the number of keepers IS what most private buyers are concerned with and is factor when trading a car in, otherwise dealers wouldn't bother asking the question.

They may ask the question, but unless its a silly number like 7 in 2 years it wont matter.

As i said, if this was really an issue it would be reflected in the trade guides and its not.

motorguy

neilmcl wrote: »

However, he bought the "new" car in the reasonable expectation that he'd be the first, registered keeper.

And I'm sorry but to the posters who say the number of registered keepers has no effect on the resale of the vehicle are just not being realistic. Yes registered keepers does not equal no. of owners but at the end of the day the number of keepers IS what most private buyers are concerned with and is factor when trading a car in, otherwise dealers wouldn't bother asking the question.

So whats the solution?

What would you recommend the O/P does?

motorguy

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Similarly, if you can show that you took delivery on a certain date then, when they finally get it sorted, that's the date you'll be shown as the keeper from because that's the date you started keeping it.

It may take a little time, but they will get it worked out in the end.

+1

Presumably the O/P will have signed something on the day of handover, or paperwork covering the purchase. Should be an easy change.

napoleon1769

motorguy wrote: »

+1

Presumably the O/P will have signed something on the day of handover, or paperwork covering the purchase. Should be an easy change.

I have a delivery note from the dealer, but that strangely shows the delivery address as this mysterious fleet company. It was definitely delivered to my house though. I don't think I'll ever forget trying to help the driver manoeuvre a 40 foot trailer down my narrow road!

JimmyTheWig

napoleon1769 wrote: »

Could I not return the car under the Distance Selling Regulations, rather than the Sale of Goods Act? The car was sold entirely at a distance and I was not provided with my rights of cancellation within a durable means, so could I return it within three months and seven days of delivery?

Even so I still believe that they are allowed to make a deduction for the use that you've had out of it. I can't find a link to back this up, but I am pretty sure that's the case.

I have asked them nicely if they could help me to resolve it. I have even dropped hints that my parents and colleagues are currently looking to buy new cars, but they have made it clear that they do not wish to assist unfortunately.

That's the problem with goodwill, you're completely at their mercy. It's up to them whether they want to keep you as a customer or not. Apparently they don't.
So it's clear to you where not to go when you are looking for your next car. It's clear to you where not to suggest friends and family look when buying a new car. But that doesn't help you much in the here and now.


I think what this discussion has proved is that there is no clear-cut answer that says you are entitled to a refund and/or compensation.
Which, to me, suggests that if you want to pursue it you will need a solicitor.
There's no point in trying to convince people on here that you've been mistreated. You need someone with experience to look at the detail of the case and discuss your options with you.

Some people on here think that it's not worth seeing a solicitor about. You could spend your time trying to convince them that it is worth it. Or you could just see a solicitor. [Or you cuold accept that they are right and give up.]

neilmcl

motorguy wrote: »

So whats the solution?

What would you recommend the O/P does?

I'm on the fence at the moment. I remain to be convinced that the car has been effectively miss-sold as a new, unregistered vehicle, and as the OP won't divulge the broker there's no way of confirming.

But, if this is the case then as you, yourself suggested, the OP would need to show what sort of loss he may have incurred between having a car with just a single registered keeper or this one with 2, then take it from there.

I totally agree with everyone else that the OP is not getting a full refund or a new car out of this.

Johnmcl7

neilmcl wrote: »

But you can guarantee any dealer and private buyer will use the fact to knock the price down when buying/trading in.

I've not had a dealer knocking down the price on my cars when they've had a higher number of owners due to something going on with preregistering (which is in line with what motor guy has posted). I didn't actually realise a car I'd bought had three previous owners rather than one until I was in a showroom trading the car in, I told the sales person I had made an error with the number of registered keepers and the part-ex price wasn't changed. When I did eventually trade the car in I got a higher price than expected, no issues with the number of owners.

I think it would be difficult to prove a lower value due to the extra registered keeper, the fact the previous car had three owners registered instead of one didn't bother me as the car was in very good condition and a full manufacturer's FSH. The car before it also had an additional owner due to preregistering, again didn't bother me.

John

nobbysn*ts

You've been sold a pre reg as new. Clearly it isn't new. You need to get quotes for what a correctly priced correctly delivered new car, from a comparable type of company is, and what price a pre reg is now. That should give you a price difference you should expect to be refunded for the lesser value car they delivered to you. I would pursue that value back, any extra costs to sort out the insurance etc, plus compensation for the nuisance. That would put you back into the position you would have been in had you agreed to buy a pre reg in the first place, and would seem a reasonable solution if you went to mediation or court. It's also a much lesser value than the cost of the car, so much easier to pursue.