Good or Bad about Car Warehouse's

shezza2

Hi all, I am looking around for a particular car and spec, on looking it seems I may have to travel to one of the car warehouse's that are advertised up and down the country. So my question is has anyone out there had a good or bad experience with the like of, The Car People, or Motorpoint. And where on the vehicle paperwork would it state if it is an Import or not, and does it really matter? Thanks for your help.

Stoke

I've never purchased a car from a Warehouse but I've visited a few and I've only ever been disappointed. I went to Carcraft in Wednesbury a few years back. Many of the cars were not correctly described, had marks and dents in some cases and some damage. I found their staff to be pretty poor as well. Their prices were so so, your typical dealer prices.

That said, I've heard they recently went into administration, so I don't know.

flashg67

Pretty happy with Motorpoint last time I used them (Burnley) They do charge extra for mats & plates if you let them and try the usual GAP insurance, parking sensors etc but didn't push when declined.

WellKnownSid

As with any used car place, the biggest issue is always the lack of provenance. When you scale that up to a warehouse full of cars, you need to keep your eyes open because the spotty Herbert sales exec will know less than you do.

I've known odd friends with true horror stories - in one case, the friend's wife complaining about the gearbox on their new runaround being really stiff but would live with it. Turned out to be a cut and shut! Needless to say the car was replaced without any questions or delay...

Stoke

WellKnownSid wrote: »

As with any used car place, the biggest issue is always the lack of provenance. When you scale that up to a warehouse full of cars, you need to keep your eyes open because the spotty Herbert sales exec will know less than you do.

I've known odd friends with true horror stories - in one case, the friend's wife complaining about the gearbox on their new runaround being really stiff but would live with it. Turned out to be a cut and shut! Needless to say the car was replaced without any questions or delay...

I'm amazed cut and shuts still exist.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Think Motorpoint have a good reputation for decent dealing.

Some of the others are basically selling expensive finance to people who shouldn't have finance, so they chuck in some second rate blinged wreck misdescribed by some horrid little pipsqueak anorak wide boy sales bod with slicked hair.

There's one such dump in the neighbouring town, if you willingly subject yourself to their pressure sales method via their performing clowns in red anoraks you deserve everything thats coming to you.

motorguy

Based on my experiences :-

Cars at Car supermarkets tend not to be prepared, so if theres scuffs and scratches, then you either accept it, get it done yourself, or pay extra. A typical franchise dealer car will either not have needed the work done in the first place, or it will have been done already.

If a car is due a service, you could be asked to pay extra. Likewise it will likely be a oil and filter change, rather than a full service and check. If its at a franchised dealership its be done usually before its due.

If tyres are near the limits, you're likely to be charged extra if you want them replaced. A main dealer should have that already done or will be doing it in the price.

Car supermarkets will likely charge you an extra "admin fee" for the privilege of buying the car. Main dealers wont.

Car supermarkets tend not to budge on price. Main dealers tend to be able to give discount.

You need to weigh all that up. Sometimes theres a real bargain to be had, sometimes they're no cheaper than a main dealer. Just dont "assume" you're getting a bargain - do your homework.

Of the two near new purchases we made in the last couple of years, the 9 month old Golf TDI, it worked out no more expensive or cheaper to get a mint one from a main dealer than from a car supermarket. The 2 year old 370Z, we probably saved an easy £3,000 by getting it from a car supermarket.

knightstyle

They buy at auction or direct from hire/lease companies so most/all their cars are not the cherished one private owner car we are all looking for.
Go by all means but take a good look at what you are getting for your money and check the paperwork VERY carefully, it is not unknown for unscrupulous sales people to show you the wrong service book!
Get details in writing and screen shots of things like service history, extras and warranty.

WellKnownSid

Stoke wrote: »

I'm amazed cut and shuts still exist.

It was probably about 15 years ago, but even then very embarrassing all round. It does highlight that basic checks can get missed.

bigjl

CarCraft was not a proper dealer like Motorpoint etc.

It was a Finance Co that sold its own overpriced tat to people who had no understanding of what they were actually paying other than the fact it was low deposit and they could afford the monthly payments.

Cars were often 15/20% overbook at Lakeside Branch.

Most of the cars that Motorpoint and CarGiant stock come from fleets, they will cherry pick the best with the rest going to Auction.

The_Biff

Do you get the balance of the factory warranty with Motorpoint? They never advertise this fact.