Need some advice on a car we are about to buy (maybe)

Herzlos

I don't think I've ever looked at a car that's not had someone else interested in it already. But then I've never put down a deposit despite being pressured and the cars always still been there a few days later.

It's up there with the 1 careful lady owner.

Sam_Fallow

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

ireallycantyodel

Sam_Fallow said:

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

Sorry if I gave that impression - I am actually very cautious but I am trying to be diplomatic in the hope that he might refund the deposit. I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts.

easy

"I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts."

Honestly, I think you are wasting your time.  It sounds to me like you want to buy this car,  despite all the negative answers you have had here,  so feel free,  take it on.  Do let us know how things are in a month or two.

oh,  and good luck  -  I think you'll need it  !

SpudGunPaul

ireallycantyodel said:

Sam_Fallow said:

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

Sorry if I gave that impression - I am actually very cautious but I am trying to be diplomatic in the hope that he might refund the deposit. I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts.

For future reference the time to asked questions is before you commit to buying by leaving a deposit. 

SpudGunPaul

ireallycantyodel said:

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

I wouldn't touch it. 
If the Engine failure warning was easy to fix,  why didn't he fix it before letting you test drive it?  

And clearly,  they don't care about the rules of being in business -  failing to file statutory accounts -  there will be other aspects of business he isn't properly paying attention to,  which might include the safety of the car you are buying  (remember,  an MOT pass only means that it met the MOT standard on the day it was tested.  Anything could have changed since last November).

There are plenty of other cars available out there ...  walk away from this one.

I was going to test drive it again after it has been fixed

The person we spoke to is not the owner so I can't say the accounts are his fault but it's worrying that if they got struck off that we wouldn't be able to get the warranty.

I had already paid a deposit but by credit card so if we pull out I might use section 75 to get it back if they won't refund it

You paid a deposit to buy the car so why do you think you're due it back if you pull out?

If the dealer spends money prepping the car you may not be entitled to it back. 

Well let's put it this way, he was telling us how other people were interested in the car, too. So I am sure he won't have an issue refunding it unless he wants to lose face. I am not saying I am "entitled" to it but I am saying that if I have a chat with him and point out the issues and I am happy for him to sell it to the other desperate person down the road then he would reveal a lot about his practice and risk a bad review as well. 

It's all about communication - if we don't get it back that's tough luck but it doesn't mean I won't try

Maybe he can only sell it for a loss if you pull out and he decides to take you to court. He'd probably win. 

ireallycantyodel

easy said:

"I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts."

Honestly, I think you are wasting your time.  It sounds to me like you want to buy this car,  despite all the negative answers you have had here,  so feel free,  take it on.  Do let us know how things are in a month or two.

oh,  and good luck  -  I think you'll need it  !

Keep your head on lol. We have already decided not to buy it. But I still believe in communication.

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

I wouldn't touch it. 
If the Engine failure warning was easy to fix,  why didn't he fix it before letting you test drive it?  

And clearly,  they don't care about the rules of being in business -  failing to file statutory accounts -  there will be other aspects of business he isn't properly paying attention to,  which might include the safety of the car you are buying  (remember,  an MOT pass only means that it met the MOT standard on the day it was tested.  Anything could have changed since last November).

There are plenty of other cars available out there ...  walk away from this one.

I was going to test drive it again after it has been fixed

The person we spoke to is not the owner so I can't say the accounts are his fault but it's worrying that if they got struck off that we wouldn't be able to get the warranty.

I had already paid a deposit but by credit card so if we pull out I might use section 75 to get it back if they won't refund it

You paid a deposit to buy the car so why do you think you're due it back if you pull out?

If the dealer spends money prepping the car you may not be entitled to it back. 

Well let's put it this way, he was telling us how other people were interested in the car, too. So I am sure he won't have an issue refunding it unless he wants to lose face. I am not saying I am "entitled" to it but I am saying that if I have a chat with him and point out the issues and I am happy for him to sell it to the other desperate person down the road then he would reveal a lot about his practice and risk a bad review as well. 

It's all about communication - if we don't get it back that's tough luck but it doesn't mean I won't try

Maybe he can only sell it for a loss if you pull out and he decides to take you to court. He'd probably win. 

He would have to prove that he incurred a loss.  It wasn't made to order and it had to be fixed anyway if they want to sell it. They've also been struck off on company house so who knows how long they will be around.

In any case, he can keep the deposit as a loss. 

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

Sam_Fallow said:

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

Sorry if I gave that impression - I am actually very cautious but I am trying to be diplomatic in the hope that he might refund the deposit. I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts.

For future reference the time to asked questions is before you commit to buying by leaving a deposit. 

I did, but there are a few things that seemed really innocent to me at the time due to a lack of knowledge and I didn't bother asking. It happens when you do something for the first time - never used a car dealership before, always bought privately, never been ripped off. Yes, I do give people the benefit of the doubt. Hindsight is 20/20

SpudGunPaul

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

"I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts."

Honestly, I think you are wasting your time.  It sounds to me like you want to buy this car,  despite all the negative answers you have had here,  so feel free,  take it on.  Do let us know how things are in a month or two.

oh,  and good luck  -  I think you'll need it  !

Keep your head on lol. We have already decided not to buy it. But I still believe in communication.

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

I wouldn't touch it. 
If the Engine failure warning was easy to fix,  why didn't he fix it before letting you test drive it?  

And clearly,  they don't care about the rules of being in business -  failing to file statutory accounts -  there will be other aspects of business he isn't properly paying attention to,  which might include the safety of the car you are buying  (remember,  an MOT pass only means that it met the MOT standard on the day it was tested.  Anything could have changed since last November).

There are plenty of other cars available out there ...  walk away from this one.

I was going to test drive it again after it has been fixed

The person we spoke to is not the owner so I can't say the accounts are his fault but it's worrying that if they got struck off that we wouldn't be able to get the warranty.

I had already paid a deposit but by credit card so if we pull out I might use section 75 to get it back if they won't refund it

You paid a deposit to buy the car so why do you think you're due it back if you pull out?

If the dealer spends money prepping the car you may not be entitled to it back. 

Well let's put it this way, he was telling us how other people were interested in the car, too. So I am sure he won't have an issue refunding it unless he wants to lose face. I am not saying I am "entitled" to it but I am saying that if I have a chat with him and point out the issues and I am happy for him to sell it to the other desperate person down the road then he would reveal a lot about his practice and risk a bad review as well. 

It's all about communication - if we don't get it back that's tough luck but it doesn't mean I won't try

Maybe he can only sell it for a loss if you pull out and he decides to take you to court. He'd probably win. 

He would have to prove that he incurred a loss.  It wasn't made to order and it had to be fixed anyway if they want to sell it. They've also been struck off on company house so who knows how long they will be around.

In any case, he can keep the deposit as a loss. 

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

Sam_Fallow said:

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

Sorry if I gave that impression - I am actually very cautious but I am trying to be diplomatic in the hope that he might refund the deposit. I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts.

For future reference the time to asked questions is before you commit to buying by leaving a deposit. 

I did, but there are a few things that seemed really innocent to me at the time due to a lack of knowledge and I didn't bother asking. It happens when you do something for the first time - never used a car dealership before, always bought privately, never been ripped off. Yes, I do give people the benefit of the doubt. Hindsight is 20/20

Really?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5967121/want-to-buy-1k-ford-focus-opinions-and-do-garages-still-issue-dodgy-mots#latest

ireallycantyodel

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

"I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts."

Honestly, I think you are wasting your time.  It sounds to me like you want to buy this car,  despite all the negative answers you have had here,  so feel free,  take it on.  Do let us know how things are in a month or two.

oh,  and good luck  -  I think you'll need it  !

Keep your head on lol. We have already decided not to buy it. But I still believe in communication.

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

easy said:

I wouldn't touch it. 
If the Engine failure warning was easy to fix,  why didn't he fix it before letting you test drive it?  

And clearly,  they don't care about the rules of being in business -  failing to file statutory accounts -  there will be other aspects of business he isn't properly paying attention to,  which might include the safety of the car you are buying  (remember,  an MOT pass only means that it met the MOT standard on the day it was tested.  Anything could have changed since last November).

There are plenty of other cars available out there ...  walk away from this one.

I was going to test drive it again after it has been fixed

The person we spoke to is not the owner so I can't say the accounts are his fault but it's worrying that if they got struck off that we wouldn't be able to get the warranty.

I had already paid a deposit but by credit card so if we pull out I might use section 75 to get it back if they won't refund it

You paid a deposit to buy the car so why do you think you're due it back if you pull out?

If the dealer spends money prepping the car you may not be entitled to it back. 

Well let's put it this way, he was telling us how other people were interested in the car, too. So I am sure he won't have an issue refunding it unless he wants to lose face. I am not saying I am "entitled" to it but I am saying that if I have a chat with him and point out the issues and I am happy for him to sell it to the other desperate person down the road then he would reveal a lot about his practice and risk a bad review as well. 

It's all about communication - if we don't get it back that's tough luck but it doesn't mean I won't try

Maybe he can only sell it for a loss if you pull out and he decides to take you to court. He'd probably win. 

He would have to prove that he incurred a loss.  It wasn't made to order and it had to be fixed anyway if they want to sell it. They've also been struck off on company house so who knows how long they will be around.

In any case, he can keep the deposit as a loss. 

SpudGunPaul said:

ireallycantyodel said:

Sam_Fallow said:

It reads as if you are determined to go for this car and trying to convince yourself that these 'minor faults' are just incidental. You've even discounted the opinion of another mechanic.

The company looks as if it's about to fold and trying to sell and old car with known faults.

What will it take for you to walk away?

Sorry if I gave that impression - I am actually very cautious but I am trying to be diplomatic in the hope that he might refund the deposit. I want to ask him all these questions when he calls to see how he reacts.

For future reference the time to asked questions is before you commit to buying by leaving a deposit. 

I did, but there are a few things that seemed really innocent to me at the time due to a lack of knowledge and I didn't bother asking. It happens when you do something for the first time - never used a car dealership before, always bought privately, never been ripped off. Yes, I do give people the benefit of the doubt. Hindsight is 20/20

Really?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5967121/want-to-buy-1k-ford-focus-opinions-and-do-garages-still-issue-dodgy-mots#latest

Really what? That I never used a dealership? Yes really.

That it happens that you miss something when you do something for the first time? Yes really. This was in 2019 and I actually didn't deal with a dealer at the time. We just looked at adverts. We bought a car from a private person and the car is still going strong. Just needing something bigger now

You might be disappointed to hear that you won't have any opportunity to revel in your victory because we did indeed cancel the purchase AND got our deposit back after we mentioned our concerns.

Thank you to everyone who provided non-judgemental advice!