Is it safe to buy a car from a dealership 100 miles away?

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sevenhills said:

400ixl said:
What risk on a new car? The OP already stated this is the only model that is available with the specification they want.

People buys cars unseen, from the likes of Cazoo, so some people don't see buying locally an advantage. But people's issues after distance buying can be seen in other threads. 
Some people specifically like to buy a ford, because they have a Ford dealer locally.
Marks and Spencer have traded for many years, with customers knowing that products can be easily returned. Not so easy if the shop is 200 miles away. 

The OP scenario is very different

 No problems buying a brand new car from 100 miles away when he has a local franchised dealer for any servicing and any issues that may arise

I would still go and see the car before purchase tho

prowla

I've bought at one chain of dealers and had servicing/warranty work done at another's with no issues at all.

Stubod

..sounds like it's a no brainer if they have the car you want? particularly with a brand like Hyundai whi have a dealership near to you, I would just go for it!

I got my Niro from a dealer 50 miles away as , (like you), they had the model I wanted. Since then I take it to a more local dealer for servicing and warranty work....

mgfvvc

GoldenOldy said:

Just want to make sure local place wouldnt be funny about servicing and warranty etc as we didnt buy it from there, if that makes sense.

Unlikely. I bought a used Civic with the manufacturer's used car warranty from a dealer in Canterbury, way back, around 1998 or 1999, and had no trouble getting an airbag module replaced under warranty at the dealer in Rochester.

Stubod

.. I had a warranty issue on my Niro, and my nearest dealer took it in and dealt with it without any problems....

Mildly_Miffed

"They've delivered the new car - it turns out to have 1,500 miles on it presumably from being run under trade plates - and it's clearly had some poor bodywork repairs. How do I return it?"

motorguy

Mildly_Miffed said:

"They've delivered the new car - it turns out to have 1,500 miles on it presumably from being run under trade plates - and it's clearly had some poor bodywork repairs. How do I return it?"

Oh get over yourself.

They'd go pick it up.

Also theres such a thing this century as email, cameras, pictures and video walkarounds.

I live 7 miles from the place i bought my last car from and the sales guy did a personalised walkaround of the car, the interior, tyre check for me, alloy wheel inspection, mileage confirmation and service history proof and emailed it over to me, and that was done in a matter of minutes after me enquiring about the car and before i went to view.

GoldenOldy

Thankyou all for your help. On balance it seems like i would be safe, so I will go and have a look next week. Many Thanks

Herzlos

Mildly_Miffed said:

"They've delivered the new car - it turns out to have 1,500 miles on it presumably from being run under trade plates - and it's clearly had some poor bodywork repairs. How do I return it?"

"So I refused to sign for it and they took it away again" or
"I went to collect it, noticed the issues and refused to sign for it".

If you're buying a car with manufacturers warranty, then a distance sale is less of a risk (assuming you are near a franchised dealer).
My 9-month old car came from about 300 miles away, and my local dealer has dealt with a few warranty issues.


I wouldn't recommend it for used cars that would need to be returned to the supplying dealer, though. I'd also recommend going to collect it if possible, because naturally it's easier to refuse to buy it than to return it.

Goudy

As already mentioned, buying new at distance is less of a risk.

Used is a different matter but it could be less of a worry buying an approved used at distance.

Sure you couldn't be totally sure of it's condition without putting your own eyes on it, but approved used usually come with a comprehensive warranty or what is left of the manufacturers warranty, which you could take to your local dealers for servicing and warranty work without issue.

For instance, buying an approved Kia would mean it had the remainder of it's 7 year warranty.
That might not be the case for an unapproved one from another source.