Poor presentation of used cars | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Mon 20 Mar 2017 20:29

Poor presentation of used cars - Miniman777

Looking around on Autotrader for another car in the £20 to £25k band, I am appalled at the poor presentation standards of the cars shown in the photographs. Specifically:

• Dirty footwells (mud off driver's shoes)

• Dirty engine bay

• Dust and other crud on dashboard close-ups

• Damaged/kerbed alloys that immediately detract

• Debris in the boot, missed by myopic valeter.

While these are mainly cosmetic, they've taken the time to wash the car yet skimp on the small details, so makes one think what else have they skimped on that could be more serious? I am also getting seriously hacked off by Skoda dealer ads who dont know the difference between a manual and DSG gearbox. Search specifies manual but pics show a DSG! Grr.

Shame they are so utterly useless.

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Mon 20 Mar 2017 20:51

Poor presentation of used cars - gordonbennet

To be fair with such good pictures that you can zoom in on, sat on your back side supping your favourite tipple striking uncared for rubbish off the potentials list beats the hell out of umpteen wasted journeys to view garbage, it would be worse for you if they got someone in to smart refurb the wheels (which doesn't last), slop layers of black gloop on the sidewalls of 2/3rds worn tyres, and spray magic shine all over the shop.

When the right car comes up it will stand out from the others, the wheel close ups will show non-refurbed unmarked examples shod with decent quality tyres, and the write up will show the correct service history, hopefully the previous owner treating the makers ideal of minimal servicing with the contempt it deserves.

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Mon 20 Mar 2017 23:30

Poor presentation of used cars - Andrew-T

It doesn't take that long to wash a car, but why would a dealer bother to fully valet one before a punter says he wants to buy it? It'll only need doing again later, after people with dirty feet have taken it for several test drives etc.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 12:38

Poor presentation of used cars - alan1302

It doesn't take that long to wash a car, but why would a dealer bother to fully valet one before a punter says he wants to buy it? It'll only need doing again later, after people with dirty feet have taken it for several test drives etc.

To actually encourag people to want to test drive it in the first place.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 13:16

Poor presentation of used cars - Terry W

In all walks of business life what frequently separates the winners from the unremarkable or losers is the desire to "go the extra mile" to make customers happy.

Most car dealers probably don't put in the effort, and never really prosper and develop.

And when times are a little hard it is much easier and less risky to cut costs by not properly valeting and repairing vehicles, rather than increasing sales and margins by properly preparing vehicles.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 13:23

Poor presentation of used cars - RobJP

I think you'll find that lots of cars are photographed pretty much immediately on arrival, so that they can be put up on websites ASAP.

If you're incapable of looking past a dusty dashboard, and assume that it's indicative of a garage's entire approach, then feel free to go to somewhere that 'tarts up' cars as much as possible.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 15:23

Poor presentation of used cars - veloceman

Shouldn't have to.
I would class it pride in their work, if dealers can't be bothered to clean it then what else can't they be bothered to do.
Even though I have close links with the trade I class my self as the buying public and would look elsewhere to find a well presented vehicle.
JP, if you were a dealer you would lose out on a sale to me. - Who's loss?

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 18:27

Poor presentation of used cars - Andrew-T

Personally, I am prepared to look past untidy bits on a used car, and make up my mind about whether it's worth proceeding with. If a test drive (and the history - most important) is encouraging I might negotiate a sale (but not if the important docs are 'somewhere else'). I would expect the car to be properly prepped when I go to collect. It doesn't bother me much if it isn't on first acquaintance - if it's improbably tidy I might suspect something.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 20:31

Poor presentation of used cars - galileo

When my wife decided to give up driving and sell her car I washed it, polished it, valeted the interior and cleaned the alloys.

A dealer then offered me a very fair price, as it was forecourt ready, and sold it within days. I'm sure a few hours prep was worth the effort in £ in my pocket.

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Tue 21 Mar 2017 23:12

Poor presentation of used cars - Andrew-T

When my wife decided to give up driving and sell her car I washed it, polished it, valeted the interior and cleaned the alloys. A dealer then offered me a very fair price, as it was forecourt ready, and sold it within days. I'm sure a few hours prep was worth the effort in £ in my pocket.

Ah yes, galileo - if I was selling I would do the same, naturally, and I might pay myself a decent rate for doing it. But if the car was snapped up so readily, why didn't you sell it yourself and pocket the dealer's mark-up?

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Wed 22 Mar 2017 13:06

Poor presentation of used cars - Snakey

I've been looking at a few used cars recently and I'm amazed at the general lack of care across the board by the dealers.

1) BMW - garage, friendly and helpful generally but the car I test drove was pretty scruffy inside. Wouldn't budge on part ex so I left as the salesman started to get very huffy that I wouldn't immediately jump at the bottom book offer on my car.

2) Indie garage (Kia) - could barely be bothered to give me the time of day. Basically sighed when I asked for a part ex value for my car!

3) Mini garage - knew absolutely nothing about the car - and I mean nothing. Was told over the phone it was 'mint inside' and it absolutely stunk of stale tabs. Didn't even bother with a test drive.

When i bought my last car a year or so ago (a main Renault main dealer even though I bought a Vauxhall) the place was shabby but the general service and preparation of the cars was good. And they happily negotiated until we hit the right price for me.

So I've decided to hold onto my car for a bit longer, I can't be bothered with the hassle!

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Wed 22 Mar 2017 18:04

Poor presentation of used cars - SLO76

"I've been looking at a few used cars recently and I'm amazed at the general lack of care across the board by the dealers."

Reason's pretty straightforward. The motortrade don't retain older more experienced sales staff because of the unsociable hours they're expected to work. Around 60hrs a week, expected to be there every weekend and late nights on rota through the week, It just doesn't suit family life so you end up with showrooms full of young inexperienced staff with little product knowledge or interest. The only older staff still selling cars outside of management will be those who can't get a decent wage elsewhere.

If they want to keep better staff then they should have a rota system for weekend work or allow staff to chose between a Sat or Sunday off. When I was selling it was deeply frowned upon if you wanted time off at all especially weekends so half the youngsters who are flogging you motors at the weekend are usually sporting a hangover so no wonder they show little interest.

I used to fill my days going through my stock to check what service history was in the glovebox, what optional extras were fitted and listing any faults and paintwork that needed fixed while the rest of the sales staff sat in the office talking rubbish or sleeping inbetween punters.

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Wed 22 Mar 2017 13:23

Poor presentation of used cars - galileo

When my wife decided to give up driving and sell her car I washed it, polished it, valeted the interior and cleaned the alloys. A dealer then offered me a very fair price, as it was forecourt ready, and sold it within days. I'm sure a few hours prep was worth the effort in £ in my pocket.

Ah yes, galileo - if I was selling I would do the same, naturally, and I might pay myself a decent rate for doing it. But if the car was snapped up so readily, why didn't you sell it yourself and pocket the dealer's mark-up?

A fair question, but previous experiences with time wasters, no-shows for viewing etc and the imminent need to pay insurance renewal we just wanted a quick sale.

The dealer we sold to is a decent guy, sole trader, who has done well for us in the past, we may go back in the future if/when grandkids want a starter car.

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Thu 23 Mar 2017 10:10

Poor presentation of used cars - sandy56

I will always go by the initial appearance of the car. Does it look good, clean, inside and out. If it isnt I walk away. If they want some of my money they will have to work for it. If I want the cheapest I can always go to the local car auctions.

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