Car dealers

duggan1

Any to avoid or any recommended? Am now in the market for my first car...

Richard53

An indication of your location would help.

[Deleted User]

Dodgy ones, always avoid the dodgy ones.

Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiI65xZNbkU

duggan1

Apologies, thought I'd posted in the local forum.

worried_jim

duggan1 wrote: »

Apologies, thought I'd posted in the local forum.

and yet still no location.

bod1467

Arnold Shark ... unless you have your wits about you. (The sales side is fine; the after-care if anything goes wrong is essentially non-existent).

jaydeeuk1

Can always ask a Toyota dealer "what they have round the back". They'll send their older part exs in to auction or sell to a local trader rather than on the forecourt. They don't bother tarting these cars up so you can see them true to life too which imo is better. Granted they probably won't give them a thorough check but thats part of your job.

Toyota won't try and make up your legal rights either and one of the few dealers (at least in Derby) who seem to give a !!!!.

[Deleted User]

When you buy a car off an "ebay trader" and they ask for an exact time you will turn up, make sure you turn up early. This avoids giving them a chance to warm car up etc if it turns out to be a shed.

duggan1

worried_jim wrote: »

and yet still no location.

Thought I'd be able to get the thread moved but it doesn't seem that straightforward so might as well make the most of it.

Based in Belfast, passed my test on friday and now obviously looking to pick up a car so I can learn to drive.

Had thought about buying new, but on reflection I think I'd prefer to find something nice and second hand to potter about in for now. Have been looking locally at the usual suspects (Seat Ibiza, Toyota Yaris etc) which is about the size of car I would like. Trying to stay away from the very small cars as I'd like a little bit of room inside. In an ideal world it would also be well kitted but not hugely concerned about that.

Have been looking at 4/5 year old and newer cars if it helps but am at a complete loss as to the rest.

Iceweasel

Nearly all dealers will have some good and some dodgy cars.

what you really need is a car-savvy friend with you - someone who does their own DIY maintenance perhaps - who will have a good eye and ear for potential faults and cover-ups.

Depending on your budget I would go for an approved used car from a main dealer for your first car to lessen the chance of bad experiences.

That way you should have a warranty that can be relied on more than the Arthur Daly variety.

But don't forget all dealers are there to make as much profit as possible - not to do us a favour by selling us a bargain.

If it seems too good to be true - it probably is.