New Car Purchase - Dealer Unable to Secure Vehicle

Charlie1985

Hi,

Hoping I could get some advise on a new car purchase. I have been in talks with a well known Mercedes Dealership and they advised me they had found the car I wanted. I then proceeded to pay them a deposit over the phone and they completed my finance checks etc. I was told my finance had been accepted. This was on Monday this week.

Today I have a call from the dealership saying they are still trying to secure the vehicle which they thought they had in group stock. As you can appreciate I am quite annoyed as they have done a credit check on me and my finance has already been approved. Should they not have checked stock availability before taking a deposit?

The dealer has said I can have my deposit back if they cannot find a car but the fact still remains they have already done a credit check on me.

Is there any compensation I can claim from the dealer for the fact that they have done a credit check and now impacted my credit rating?

Any advice on how best to handle this matter will be really appreciated.

Apologies in advance if I have posted this thread in the wrong area.

Thank you for the replies in advance.

Charlie

williamgriffin

If the can't find a vehicle you're entitled to your deposit back. As for compensation what's your actual loss?

DrEskimo

The finance application will just be a search. This will not have much of an impact on your credit file at all, if any.
Your credit rating is just a meaningless number, so I wouldn't worry about that at all...

DCFC79

Don't worry about your rating as only you can see it, your history is what's important.

AdrianC

Most likely scenario...
They did check "group availability". It showed the car as being available.
Unfortunately, somebody sold the car that he was standing next to, and forgot to tell the computer.

Charlie1985

Thanks all for the replies. My concern was mainly on my credit file as I did not want a search done for no reason. In terms of my loss I actually lost out on a similar car at an alternative dealer. Do you think it’s fair to ask the dealer now for further discount on an alternative model?

Highland76

Charlie1985 said:

Is there any compensation I can claim from the dealer for the fact that they have done a credit check and now impacted my credit rating?

A credit search just leaves a footprint on your credit history (not "credit rating"), which over time drops off. Nothing to get your knickers in a twist over. Get over it and move on.

Charlie1985

Ok thanks. Would it stop me getting finance at another dealer as this dealer has just done a search a few days ago?

Scrapit

How much compo do you want? 

AdrianC

Charlie1985 said:

Ok thanks. Would it stop me getting finance at another dealer as this dealer has just done a search a few days ago?

Unless your credit history is so flaky as to be absolutely borderline... no.

ontheroad1970

It all depends how many other credit applications you have made recently.  One search should not impact you much if at all. Which finance house was it?  Most dealers use the same finance house.  Santander is very common.  Black Horse used to bet h east prominent on forecourts.