We bought a new van only it wasn't new!

motorguy

AdrianC wrote: »

I wonder how the van was bought.

Was it a factory order? If so, was there a delay in delivery?
Was it in stock at the dealer? If so, had it got to them directly from import, or via a stock-swap with another dealer?
Was it in Ford UK central stock or at a different dealer?

There's a myriad of ways in which the dealer could have simply never known about the pre-delivery repair, especially if - as the OP suggests - the paint looked good initially.

I also wonder how the paint deteriorated over the time.

Indeed yes, literally a myriad of possibilities.

Scrapit

fred246 wrote: »

My car has travelled the equivalent of 6.5 times the earth's circumference. Been on & off many ferries. Not had any bodywork done on it whatsoever. All original factory sprayed paint. I really find it hard to believe that major car companies make cars with robots to fine tolerances and then smash them up on the way to the dealers. Doesn't make sense.

how do you know it's had no body work done, it may have had a repair before delivery when new.
I live near a dock where they off load motors. They way they are driven would suggest they get paid per vehicle. Transits without a body on the back drift pretty good too.