When does a 'fully refundable' deposit become non-refundable?
I enquired about a car I had seen online. The dealer was some distance away and I could not visit for a test drive for 2 or 3 days and was told that a 'fully refundable' deposit would secure the car until the weekend.
I asked for the registration so that I could organise an HPI check and insurance. I was initially given the registration of a totally different car. I asked when the car had last been serviced (it was advertised as 'recently serviced'). It was serviced 12 months or 10,000 miles ago, but the dealer did offer to organise a non-dealer service.
I decided to pull out of the deal at this point as I had lost all confidence in the dealer. At this point my deposit became non-refundable, in fact it never had been.
I admit that I should have got everything in writing, and would never have put down a non-refundable deposit on a car I had not seen or driven. Where do I stand? Am I covered by the distance selling regulations?
I asked for the registration so that I could organise an HPI check and insurance. I was initially given the registration of a totally different car. I asked when the car had last been serviced (it was advertised as 'recently serviced'). It was serviced 12 months or 10,000 miles ago, but the dealer did offer to organise a non-dealer service.
I decided to pull out of the deal at this point as I had lost all confidence in the dealer. At this point my deposit became non-refundable, in fact it never had been.
I admit that I should have got everything in writing, and would never have put down a non-refundable deposit on a car I had not seen or driven. Where do I stand? Am I covered by the distance selling regulations?
Asked on 3 October 2011 by CMW2175
Answered by
Honest John
You were dealing with a liar from the word go. But generally a deposit is not refundable if you back out of a contract, which you did. Lesson to be learned here is not to even contemplate putting a deposit on an unseen car.
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
I went to see a car from a dealer. I test drove it and liked it - was prepared to buy.
He asked for £300 deposit and I offered £500. I signed what I thought was a receipt for the deposit.
The next...
I'm purchasing a Nissan Qashqai from a dealership. I noticed in the service book that its service had been delayed due to a warranty repair. I asked the salesman what the repair was and he said he would...
I went to purchase a Mercedes Benz at a dealer in Essex.
I saw a negative review of the dealer on the internet and spoke to some people who told me it is notorious for faulty cars.
I also could not...
.jpg)
