Autotrader - traders (?)

Ivrytwr3

Hey all,

I hope someone can help me with this. I am looking to buy a car from a garage, so please no advice on getting a better deal by going private!!! (hee hee!!)

I have been searching for a few weeks on autotrader online and after viewing a few lemons i think i have found the car i am looking for. However, on autotrader website, you can normally click a link that takes you to the dealers website, and others all you see is just a mobile number. The car i have seen is listed as been sold by Priory Direct in Doncaster, but i cannot find a website, nor does a goole search show their garage. A search for their postcode brings up a residential estate, yet they are listed as traders on autotrader.

They have offered me 3 month warranty as oppose to their standard 1 month and when you call you are greeted by "Priory Direct".

Can someone eplain this, as i was hoping to turn up to a garage with a forecourt.
Thanks!!

goldspanners

the trader probably operates from his house.its not uncommon.

Ivrytwr3

but is there any pitfalls and how does a guy operate from home?

balsingh

Whether the trader has a showroom or trades from home is up to him. It doesnt make him any better or worse than another trader.

With regards to the warranty, same thing. If something goes wrong, he may sort it out efficiently, he may not.

Its all pot luck. If you like the car, go for it and hope it stays reliable.

shown73

Yes but does this trader even live at this address? This sounds like a potential minefield, although perhaps an independant inspection would be one way of avoiding a lemon. How many guarantees are worth the paper their written on, once all the exclusions and exeptions are taken into account. It's not just the purchase price that you're risking, it's the potential, astronomical, repair bills afterwards. Buy in haste, repent at leisure. Be as sure as you can that this is the car for you, before you part with any money, because once gone, it sure as h--l isn't coming back!

ZootHornRollo

find out if the warranty is insurance backed. if it is then it would not be the trader you would deal with for a warranty claim anyway.

as far as the law is concerned you have the same rights buying for a trader who works from home as you do buying a one year old Audi from a main dealer.

we have a few home traders about here. one in particular deals solely in Volkwagons and has a tremendous reputation. As was mentioned above. Its a minefield.

goldspanners

Ivrytwr3 wrote: »

but is there any pitfalls and how does a guy operate from home?

a large yard or driveway to keep a few cars in,most will buy cheap at auction and sell on with enough to make a good wage from,but maybe cheaper than buying from someone with a fourcourt as he will have less overheads.
as someone mentioned above who will the warranty be with? the trader or a warranty company,you will probably have trouble getting any work done on a warranty company.
if you can get recommendations from other buyers from the dealer.

Ivrytwr3

Any alarm bells ringing? Or is it ok to proceed?

ZootHornRollo

best thing to do is probably go along, see what you think, trust your gut instinct. if all seems ok to you and you like the dealer and the car, organise for an AA or RAC inspection.

goldspanners

Ivrytwr3 wrote: »

Any alarm bells ringing? Or is it ok to proceed?

as above,go along to see the car,in fact if you dont like the look of the place when you get there just keep on driving.
it will probably be ok,if you feel everything is ok then get an independant inspection done on the car.

good luck.

Ivrytwr3

OK, i contacted the trader and he readily gave reg and VIN. I have done a check with "vehicle check" (through auto trader website) and everything checks out except:

It is listed as one owner from new, this is confirmed.

It is listed as 19000 miles, but the report says there is no mileage history for the vehicle, but it is sold with a Full Peugeot service history. I'm a bit worried!!