Vehicle purchase, did I get scammed big time?

Swipe

The DVLA would not allow a 2008 plate to be assigned to a 2004 car. This is stop people selling old cars and passing them off as newer. I have an imported motorcycle registered in the UK in 1992 but has an E reg because it was manufactured in 1988.

UK007BullDog

Swipe wrote: »

The DVLA would not allow a 2008 plate to be assigned to a 2004 car. This is stop people selling old cars and passing them off as newer. I have an imported motorcycle registered in the UK in 1992 but has an E reg because it was manufactured in 1988.

OK thanks, that is good to know.

Its just all very confusing. Being first used vehicle purchase and all. I was just worried because whenever I quote the 2008 reg the companies had problems finding it at first (Finance company and Insurance company).

ratrace

UK007BullDog wrote: »

OK, I think it was a vanity plate the van had when it first got registered.

I cannot tell from the shape as its the same from 2004 up to 2010.

The V5C states the date of first registration as 2008.

But one of the extras it has was not available in the UK before end of 2008. So the van has to be a 2008/2009 model.

I must say I am relieved and thank you all for your tips on where to check things. It just threw me about the 2004 number plate/vanity plate issue on the service book and the very first MOT certificate in 2011.

At least now I can sleep in peace. Should I ever need to buy a used vehicle again I am a little bit wiser.

According to the MOT certificates the mileages tally somewhat with the service booklet numbers. However that is no guarantee that the milage was not manipulated before the new MOT certificated came into force.
Also I read on another website that the digital mileage counters are very easy to manipulate, all one needs is a computer.

I spent a fortune putting my signage all over it. Its very feminine and hippy looking, ((swirly flowers and leaves in greens, pinks and purples) as I am into horticulture). My son won't be seen dead driving it during the day. But it gets me noticed, gets me customers and hopefully will keep the thieves and vandals away.

Unfortunately it's fairly common for vans to be clocked back as due to the fact that when the van is taken out on lease it has a set mileage it cannot go over or excess mileage charges will apply, so people just before handing the van back before the first mot will clock it back to make it look like it's still within the contracted miles

Correct digital speedo's are really easy to clock back i can do it on my modis machine


glad it worked out for you

Westmead_Fan

But now I am worried that the MOT from the dealer is a mates MOT and not worth the paper its printed on. When I had the brakes done the guy from QuickFit said it looks ok from underneath.

why on earth did you take your vehicle to a kwik fit you would have paid way over the odds for the work. why id they need doing???

Ectophile

It seems to be clear now that it is a 2008 model, but just for added peace-of-mind, try looking for date-coded plastic items on the van. Look inside things, behind things or underneath things. Many plastic parts these days carry a date code in the form of a circle. The 12 months are round the outside. In the middle is a 2-digit year, and an arrow pointing to the month of manufacture. I would expect most of the parts on a late 2008 van to have "08" in the middle of the date code.

UK007BullDog

Westmead_Fan wrote: »

why on earth did you take your vehicle to a kwik fit you would have paid way over the odds for the work. why id they need doing???

Because one of my customers has a very steep drive and the van was screeching and I also had a valve leak and when I took it to them they told me and showed me that I had no brake pads left and that I was breaking metal on metal. So needed the disks and the pads replacing. Completely worn down.

I now have a lifetime warranty and replacement if the pads ever need changing. As I plan to keep this van forever I thought it would be a good investment as the pads would need replacing one day. Being in London there is a lot of breaking. The roads are just too congested.

Plus they were able to work on it right away, the other local tyre garages do not respect women from past bad experience. The quick fit guys were courteous, showed me the damage at the time they took the wheels off, so I could see with my own eyes how bad the damage was. Due to my hearing disability I did not hear the squeaking, plus I play my music quite loud in the cab. It was my customer who told me that my van is squeaking worse each time I visit them.

Its not a car, so the pads are more expensive and bespoke. Plus it carries heavy loads so need to be sure the brakes work well. I just wanted to make sure the work is done correctly with quality parts and a guarantee. Also I haggled with them and they reduced the price somewhat.

It is an expense that will come off my tax bill ;-)

I did have a puncture fixed at a place far from home on my work route at a local type garage and they were OK too, but I was just passing and stopped hoping they could do the job right then, which they did and that cost me just £15.

The MOT I hope to have done at the local council. I wont take it to the dealership as they would rob me blind. So may have to call round the garages to see who will do my van.

Westmead_Fan

you think you got good quality parts, you got fitted aftermarket parts on your vehicle. you already paid for the next pad or disc change in the price you paid, what vehicle do you have unless you have something uncommon that is way too much.

UK007BullDog

Ectophile wrote: »

It seems to be clear now that it is a 2008 model, but just for added peace-of-mind, try looking for date-coded plastic items on the van. Look inside things, behind things or underneath things. Many plastic parts these days carry a date code in the form of a circle. The 12 months are round the outside. In the middle is a 2-digit year, and an arrow pointing to the month of manufacture. I would expect most of the parts on a late 2008 van to have "08" in the middle of the date code.

Cool idea. But there is nothing in my van in the cab area where I could find stuff to pry off and to look at. Everything is solidly fixed to the vehicle. The back of the van is panelled up with wood. I gave it a deep clean on the first day. The previous owner had a dog and doggy hair was everywhere in the front. But maybe the engine parts like the water, antifreeze and oil refill areas? I will check it out the next time I refill it with window wash solution.

forgotmyname

Your lifetime pad replacement doesnt include discs, What do you think your chances of needing new discs every single time is?

The price they charge for discs will be costly.

Wont be long before your suspension needs work also.

UK007BullDog

Westmead_Fan wrote: »

you think you got good quality parts, you got fitted aftermarket parts on your vehicle. you already paid for the next pad or disc change in the price you paid, what vehicle do you have unless you have something uncommon that is way too much.

I got good parts because I saw the packaging, in fact I took the stuff home with me.

Yeah of course I paid for it for the next fitting, but the cost in a few years time would be higher, this way I don't have to worry about it anymore. The van is my livelihood, no van no earnings. So if I look after it it will serve me well. I know that I paid more than going to a local garage, but there are not that many where I live. And the ones I know about I have not had a good experience. I don't take my money to places that look down on me or think I am totally witless because I am a woman.

Working in the City I used to spend more on clothes every quarter due to the nature of the job, make-up and hair and other beauty products, fashion jewellery. So glad I don't have to do that anymore. Such a waste of money, year after year. Plus the costs of the train and tube commute, parking fees, lunch and tea break costs. Ultimately the stress, being overweight and not getting enough exercise, being miserable. OK, I don't earn near as much as I used to, but I am happy.

Its not a common van, I needed something a bit more special and it took me many months to get one that had the features I wanted. Whilst doing the checks I find that the van has kept its value if I were to sell it now. I could only find 4 like it for sale right now in the whole of the UK and mine is bigger with more extras.