New car finance, dealership being funny 15 June 2021 at 4:12PM in Loans 20 replies 1.7K views

7Cyanide58

Hi all,

Sorry if this is in the wrong area but I paid £16000 down-payment on a 2011 plate land rover and the remaining balance being paid on finance, I haven't even had a chance to test drive it yet. I have had a look at the previous MOT and requested the dealership to correct everything that is wrong with it before I take it away, they agreed, it has now been around 8 weeks, the finance doesn't kick in until I pick the car up.

The dealership is still awaiting 'parts' to fix the problems as well as it has now magically has a brake light out even though it didn't show on the MOT which is fresh from 3 weeks ago. 

I've been trying to contact them to arrange collection and they keep fobbing me off until last night where I got ratty, they said 'we could have sold that car two maybe three times over and we could charge you up to 8 weeks storage!!! Surely this isn't right I want to tell them to shove it and I'll go elsewhere.

Can anyone advise?

MalMonroe

They can only charge you storage if that was something they stated in their agreement. I'm sure you didn't agree to give them £16k for no good reason eight weeks ago either! What a b****y cheek!  Tell them you want to charge them for that unauthorised loan.

If I was in this position I would definitely tell them to shove it, I'd want my £16k down payment money back and I'd take my business elsewhere. 

They are obviously not keen to sell to you. If they say they could have sold the vehicle two or three times over then that indicates that they won't have any trouble selling it to someone else. 

Just make sure you get the full down payment back - it's their fault you haven't been able to proceed - I can't believe the cheek of these people, keeping your money for 8 weeks (£16k!) and then having the nerve to say they'll charge you storage.

Tell them where to go and if they start being difficult then you can take matters further. But DO let them know that you are not someone to be messed with and that you know your legal rights. 

JamoLew

What exactly are the OPs “legal rights” ? 

You haven’t said

7Cyanide58

MalMonroe said:

They can only charge you storage if that was something they stated in their agreement. I'm sure you didn't agree to give them £16k for no good reason eight weeks ago either! What a b****y cheek!  Tell them you want to charge them for that unauthorised loan.

If I was in this position I would definitely tell them to shove it, I'd want my £16k down payment money back and I'd take my business elsewhere. 

They are obviously not keen to sell to you. If they say they could have sold the vehicle two or three times over then that indicates that they won't have any trouble selling it to someone else. 

Just make sure you get the full down payment back - it's their fault you haven't been able to proceed - I can't believe the cheek of these people, keeping your money for 8 weeks (£16k!) and then having the nerve to say they'll charge you storage.

Tell them where to go and if they start being difficult then you can take matters further. But DO let them know that you are not someone to be messed with and that you know your legal rights. 

Something just screams dodgy about it, I'm annoyed cause whilst I was viewing it me and my Mrs fell in live with it, they've give me nothing extra, I think I was reasonable by asking them to sort out the issues, I mean one was a gearbox fault on the dash. Think the sales person was just being a c**k cause he wants his commission and obviously doesn't get paid until the finance pays the bulk?

Thrugelmir

What were the issues that require fixing?  As in many sectors of the economy there's a shortage of components. Combination of Covid, Suez blockage and a shortage of shipping containers has played havoc with JIT stocking systems. 

7Cyanide58

It was a gearbox fault on the dash
Anti roll bar linkage 
Offside rear brake pad wearing thin (I believe seized caliper)
Oil leak in suspension strut

7Cyanide58

Thrugelmir said:

What were the issues that require fixing?  As in many sectors of the economy there's a shortage of components. Combination of Covid, Suez blockage and a shortage of shipping containers has played havoc with JIT stocking systems. 

I work at a port so I know the impact of Covid and the Suez blockage, work has been really slow, but the problem parts I would have thought most major suppliers would have plenty in stock.

I get these things happen but 8 weeks? If they had been straight with me from the off I wouldn't have minded but just seems like they're fobbing me off left and right and today was the final straw.

The_Fat_Controller

Run, Forrest, Run !

A 10 year old Land Rover is likely to be a money pit.

£16,000 deposit, sounds like something out of a Harry Enfield "I saw you coming" sketch.

DrEskimo

The full upfront payment isn't payable until you collect the car, along with the rest of the money from the finance company.

A holding deposit is typically around £500.

Why specifically this one? Is it particularly hard to find? Why would you pick one with so many existing faults, let alone leave £16k for a garage on a car you haven't even test driven....

7Cyanide58

DrEskimo said:

The full upfront payment isn't payable until you collect the car, along with the rest of the money from the finance company.

A holding deposit is typically around £500.

Why specifically this one? Is it particularly hard to find? Why would you pick one with so many existing faults, let alone leave £16k for a garage on a car you haven't even test driven....

Top model, full service history, really low miles for a 10 year old car, perfect body condition and really well looked after .

I wanted to put as much money down as possible to lower the overall cost of the finance hence save a little money. 

According to them I couldn't test drive it due to covid, that should have been my first red flag. I didn't check the MOT until i went home, spoke to the Mrs then went back in and told them I want them fixing.

Maybe am a bit naive and definitely foolish for leaving such a high amount.

DrEskimo

7Cyanide58 said:

DrEskimo said:

The full upfront payment isn't payable until you collect the car, along with the rest of the money from the finance company.

A holding deposit is typically around £500.

Why specifically this one? Is it particularly hard to find? Why would you pick one with so many existing faults, let alone leave £16k for a garage on a car you haven't even test driven....

Top model, full service history, really low miles for a 10 year old car, perfect body condition and really well looked after .

I wanted to put as much money down as possible to lower the overall cost of the finance hence save a little money. 

According to them I couldn't test drive it due to covid, that should have been my first red flag. I didn't check the MOT until i went home, spoke to the Mrs then went back in and told them I want them fixing.

Maybe am a bit naive and definitely foolish for leaving such a high amount.

Yes, reducing the amount you finance is good, but you don't pay that until you collect. You leave a small holding deposit and pay the rest on collection, along with signing the finance agreement.

How much are you financing and what are the terms?