When is a 'new' car not new?

Inch_High_2

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

So what you're saying is your analogy doesn't work then, and can't compare here as you now say cars are totally different to watches?

Are you still of the opinion the op bought a used car?

neilmcl

Inch_High wrote: »

Are you still of the opinion the op bought a used car?

That is not the point. The issue here is the OP (rightly or wrongly) was expected to be sold a new, unregistered car, instead he was sold a pre-registered vehicle. Regardless of the fact that it only had 8 miles on the clock a pre-reg car is NOT the same same a a new car.

AdrianC

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

How about they offer GAP insurance for the first year FoC? Because as per my post above, if you have an insurance claim they will look at it as a 2nd owner vehicle, not 'brand new' and therefore you'll be paid at market value, not given a brand new car should the need occur (or at least without a fight)

I like that suggestion. The new-for-old aspect of first-year insurance was an angle I'd not considered. Let's hope it doesn't become an issue for the OP - but, even if it does, I'm not convinced that - given the paperwork available and the undoubted new-to-OP status of the car (v5c excluded) - it would be a problem. But some things insurers do will never cease to surprise me.

bartelbe wrote: »

An attitude which gives car dealers, and I assume you are in the trade, a bad name.

Your assumption is wrong. Never have been, am not currently, probably never will be.

Most ordinary members of the public expect if they buy a new car, that the car starts with a blank slate, and they are the first keeper.

And that's exactly what the OP has - if you exclude the name on the V5C. The car was delivered straight to the OP from the dealer, registered that morning. The warranty started on the day of delivery. The car had been built to the OP's order.

If you don't think this is a problem, then there is an easy solution. Before anyone in the trade sells a pre-registered car, they tell the buyer it is pre-registered.

As I already said, by "pre-reg", what's usually meant is a car that's been sat with plates on for weeks or months, since being registered to catch the end of some sales incentive period, maybe the end of a registration "year".
http://www.jardinemotors.co.uk/toyota/new-car-offers/pre-reg-stock/ - for instance.
The warranty started at the date of registration. You get the spec that's sat there on the forecourt. Because THAT is the car you're being offered. That is not what happened with the OP.

motorguy

bartelbe wrote: »

An attitude which gives car dealers, and I assume you are in the trade, a bad name. Most ordinary members of the public expect if they buy a new car, that the car starts with a blank slate, and they are the first keeper.

If you don't think this is a problem, then there is an easy solution. Before anyone in the trade sells a pre-registered car, they tell the buyer it is pre-registered.

Yes. Absolutely. The O/P believed that they were going to be the first name on the v5. The broker used smoke and mirrors to hide the fact they wouldnt be.

Thats not really in debate now.

BUT, what do you do about it? The car is as described - the car was a factory order to the O/P's spec and was brand new, unused by anyone else.

Is the O/P entitled to a full refund? I very much doubt it.

Can the O/P claim compensation and if so how much? Based on selling a "two owner" car now? But they're not selling the car now?

Is the O/P going to have a prottracted and likely expensive battle on their hands to take it any further? Yes, very likely.

Is it worth the risk, hassle, stress, money to progress it? To me, no. To the O/P, well maybe - providing hes aware of all the risks in doing so and is happy to accept the consequences either way.

nobbysn*ts

AdrianC wrote: »

The warranty started on the day of delivery. The car had been built to the OP's order.

Interesting point on the warranty. Hope the op hasn't got a Vauxhall, as the lifetime warranty applies to the first owner. Owner being classed as the person on the warranty booklet, which is filled in as the person that bought it, and then is on the V5 by Vauxhall. As the op has said, the car was delivered on paper to the broker, who isn't a franchised dealer, so the lifetime warranty is lost. Vauxhall won't re-instate it, as they will only do that if it's a pre reg to one of their own dealers. So a good point for the op to use there.

motorguy

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

So what you're saying is your analogy doesn't work then, and can't compare here as you now say cars are totally different to watches?

And your analogy of comparing the car to a year old one didnt really work? Are you saying that?

motorguy

neilmcl wrote: »

That is not the point. The issue here is the OP (rightly or wrongly) was expected to be sold a new, unregistered car, instead he was sold a pre-registered vehicle. Regardless of the fact that it only had 8 miles on the clock a pre-reg car is NOT the same same a a new car.

Grand. ok. Great.

So whats the real world viable likely to happen solution?

AdrianC

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

Interesting point on the warranty. Hope the op hasn't got a Vauxhall, as the lifetime warranty applies to the first owner.

Ah, yes. 60k/36mo or 100k/unlimited for "the first registered keeper". Providing it goes to a Vauxhall Authorised Repairer at least annually, and restricted to a subset of items.

BUT - since the OP didn't buy the car from a "Vauxhall Authorised Retailer" themselves, it doesn't matter - the "lifetime" portion is void anyway, regardless of V5C.
"The warranty is valid for the first registered owner of the vehicle who bought the vehicle at a Vauxhall Authorised Retailer."
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/owners_services/warranty_assistance/lifetime_warranty_terms.html

neilmcl

OP, just for clarification who did you actually buy the car from - the broker/fleet co or the dealer?

AdrianC

neilmcl wrote: »

OP, just for clarification who did you actually buy the car from - the broker/fleet co or the dealer?

I don't think there's any suggestion that the purchase contract was between the OP and the broker. The dealer merely facilitated the supply, in contract with the broker. Which, to my mind, say that the OP did not buy from the dealer.

Not, of course, that we even know if it's a Vauxhall. That was merely thrown in as one potential loss the OP could have suffered by not being the first registered keeper. As it happens, it probably wouldn't be.