Getting deposit back for car

jenny_wrenny

Hi all.

I would be really grateful for your help. I have a 4 month old baby and am currently on maternity leave. My current car is too small to fit the whole of the pram in the boot. My other half suggested that we look for a car which we could basically swap for mine with a bigger boot. We agreed we didn't want to put more than a couple of hundred pounds towards it extra.

We found a Renault Scenic on Friday but they were having photographs taken for Google maps. We paid a deposit of £200 and he said he would have the car ready for today and we could test drive it today.

I called my insurance provider today to see how much it would be on insurance, etc but the registration number we were provided with by the garage is coming up as a Renault Kangoo.

I called DVLA to see if this could be changed - they only have the vehicle down as a Renault with no model. They advised that the only way they could change it would be with a letter from the manufacturer.

I called my insurance provider back to see if this information would be enough and they advised that they needed all the details to be correct against the registration number in case they ever need to pay out.

My question is if we can get the deposit back from the garage? I don't want a car I can't drive. I'm stressing out as that's potentially £200 down the drain. I know it doesn't sound like much but every little counts at the moment.

scaredofdebt

It depends on what basis you paid the deposit on and what was said at the time. Presumably from what you've posted this was done over the phone and not face to face can you confirm that?

Did you get a receipt for the deposit, what does that say if anything?

jenny_wrenny

It was done in person on Friday. My other half paid the deposit and we did get a receipt for it. I was trying to calm baby down at the time so I can't be sure he actually read it before signing.

It was all done very quick. The trader pushed it all through very quickly as he needed the place clear for the Google photographer.

bob_a_builder

but the registration number we were provided with by the garage is coming up as a Renault Kangoo.

Did they just provide the wrong number - typo etc ?

jenny_wrenny

I'm really hoping that is the case! Waiting for my other half to get back from work so he can call them seeing as he is the one who has been dealing with them.

dannyrst

Can't you just ring and ask for the reg plate? Would save you worrying.

Is the car advertised online on that garages website? Perhaps the numberplate can be viewed there?

jenny_wrenny

They took the car off their site the day we paid the deposit.

Trying to find out what the garage is called off the other half now do I can call them. Severe baby brain and can't remember!

forgotmyname

Get a smaller pram?

macman

Assuming the reg issue is a red herring, then you agreed to purchase a Renault Scenic and paid a deposit to confirm that contract. If you now want to break that contract then the dealer has a right to be compensated for their loss. In reality, they won't bother and will retain your £200. Paying a deposit is not an 'option to purchase'.
Why don't you call the garage and clear up the reg confusion-I can't make out from your post whether you still want a Scenic or not?
In future do your research before you agree to purchase: it's not as if Scenics are exactly hard to find.
Does the receipt state Scenic or Kangoo?

bobbymotors

it's most likely that the dvla have messed up.

if the chassis number matches the v5 and it is actually a scenic then I would have thought you would be able to sort this out quite quickly.

Mr_Mink

macman wrote: »

If you now want to break that contract then the dealer has a right to be compensated for their loss.

Aside from a relisting fee for the advert, which won't be £200.00, what other loss has the garage suffered? They are certainly not entitled to keep the full £200.00.