cars

Lisamayishere

hi

advice needed, 
I went to view a car today at a dealership. they had two same model and similar colours (one was £1k less which despite booking to test the more expensive model, they turned up in the cheaper one (like that was the one they wanted to flog first).
 

we went for a test drive when I opened the bonnet the engine didn't smell that great. so I asked if I could see if the bonnet of another one to compare. they showed me the one I originally thought I was going to see and then I remembered this was the one I had booked, and thought it weird they brought the other one. 

they were reluctant to take me out on another test drive in the vehicle I had booked, it seemed this one wasn't ready, despite being advertised but I couldn't get to the bottom of it. they seemed to be distracting - they said they had to pay twice to advertise it so they didn't think the more expensive one was online. 
it seemed a bit odd.
convinced them to got for drive in the more expensive one and it felt better and a slightly newer model BUT there was an issue with the lock. it didn't work on the drivers side. it looked like it had been bashed with a stone / like a beer bottle top almost. 
they said they'd give me a £100 off to sort the lock independently. or they'd fix but if they can't would give me £100 off. this seemed dodgy. 

I said I wanted to get it professionally checked by a mechanic anyway which I mentioned before I visited and for them to sort out the key issue before I buy.
it had a full service history, all the stamps and receipts in good order. and it drove well. and I did some basic checks on it when I was there. not that many miles. apart from the lock it's what I've been looking for.  

I left a £150 deposit. but after I left the lock thing has left me feeling uneasy as I'm getting it delivered (it's far away) so I won't actually physically see the proof they sorted the lock out. 
I thought I could ask them to sort the lock before the mechanic comes instead of the other way round to protect myself. and in case it's something more serious. 

I don't want to end up getting ripped off,  or getting it delivered with a car I can't get into properly. 

SaverRate

What car? Was it main dealer or independent? If you worried can’t you collect rather than deliver?

Alderbank

You are wary and suspicious about this car and the sales tactics so you left a £150 deposit?
What for? Is it a refundable deposit or a reservation fee?

There are plenty of used cars for sale and there will be more in a couple of weeks when the new reg is out.

400ixl

There aren't plenty of used cars for sale at the moment, supply is very limited due to new car availability. This will also carry on with the new reg release which will be much smaller than historically.

Having said that, if you really are not sure then better to walk away.

I assume that the door unlocked on the remote and it was the physical lock that was not working? Even a single lock these days can be more than £150 as it would need to be ordered from the main dealer to match the key. I wouldn't settle for anything less than them resolving it and ensuring that the same key unlocked all the doors and worked in the ignition.

As you have also inspected the car, not sure if you would still have the distance selling rights even if the car is delivered, so maybe worth checking as it may impact your decision as whether you do want to re-inspect in person.

Aylesbury_Duck

Walk away.  How many warning signs do you need?

porkisnotmeat

400ixl said:

There aren't plenty of used cars for sale at the moment, supply is very limited due to new car availability. This will also carry on with the new reg release which will be much smaller than historically.

Having said that, if you really are not sure then better to walk away.

I assume that the door unlocked on the remote and it was the physical lock that was not working? Even a single lock these days can be more than £150 as it would need to be ordered from the main dealer to match the key. I wouldn't settle for anything less than them resolving it and ensuring that the same key unlocked all the doors and worked in the ignition.

As you have also inspected the car, not sure if you would still have the distance selling rights even if the car is delivered, so maybe worth checking as it may impact your decision as whether you do want to re-inspect in person.

There are plenty if cars for sale, it's just that price increases might make purchasing one unpalatable.

mobileron

If u decide to have it,email them to say repair the door,ask for confirmation from them by email.
Is it a main dealer and whats the make and model.
Remember your in charge if they dont give you an answer just walk,is the deposit refundable.

TELLIT01

Even if you can't get your deposit back, I would recommend running away from the purchase rather than walking.  There are all the flags you have mentioned, plus it being purchased from a location it seems would be difficult for you to get back to if you do have problems.

born_again

Lisamayishere said:

hi

advice needed, 
I went to view a car today at a dealership. they had two same model and similar colours (one was £1k less which despite booking to test the more expensive model, they turned up in the cheaper one (like that was the one they wanted to flog first).
 

we went for a test drive when I opened the bonnet the engine didn't smell that great. so I asked if I could see if the bonnet of another one to compare. they showed me the one I originally thought I was going to see and then I remembered this was the one I had booked, and thought it weird they brought the other one. 

they were reluctant to take me out on another test drive in the vehicle I had booked, it seemed this one wasn't ready, despite being advertised but I couldn't get to the bottom of it. they seemed to be distracting - they said they had to pay twice to advertise it so they didn't think the more expensive one was online. 
it seemed a bit odd.
convinced them to got for drive in the more expensive one and it felt better and a slightly newer model BUT there was an issue with the lock. it didn't work on the drivers side. it looked like it had been bashed with a stone / like a beer bottle top almost. 
they said they'd give me a £100 off to sort the lock independently. or they'd fix but if they can't would give me £100 off. this seemed dodgy. 

I said I wanted to get it professionally checked by a mechanic anyway which I mentioned before I visited and for them to sort out the key issue before I buy.
it had a full service history, all the stamps and receipts in good order. and it drove well. and I did some basic checks on it when I was there. not that many miles. apart from the lock it's what I've been looking for.  

I left a £150 deposit. but after I left the lock thing has left me feeling uneasy as I'm getting it delivered (it's far away) so I won't actually physically see the proof they sorted the lock out. 
I thought I could ask them to sort the lock before the mechanic comes instead of the other way round to protect myself. and in case it's something more serious. 

I don't want to end up getting ripped off,  or getting it delivered with a car I can't get into properly. 

Who is the dealer, and how far away?
As you visited them, but they turned up in the other car the car?

If you want the car to be professionally checked over why not take that person with you?
Stones do not bash locks. They get hit by someone trying to break in. They will not fix it till you confirm you are going to buy the car.
If unsure walk away. Plenty of cars out there.

TELLIT01

born_again said:

Stones do not bash locks. They get hit by someone trying to break in. They will not fix it till you confirm you are going to buy the car.
If unsure walk away. Plenty of cars out there.

Any car sales company which leaves a vehicle with obvious lock damage unrepaired would have me wondering what unseen damage they are hiding if they can't be bothered to repair the obvious.