How goos hsould a six-month old car be that we've paid a deposit on?

We have found a nearly new Ford S-MAX via Ford Retail Online. Our local Ford dealer has agreed to bring it in from the Ford dealer in Birmingham where it is currently for a £500 deposit, which we have paid. Our local Ford dealer at the time of deposit payment said the car was immaculate.

It is due in on Wednesday. On chatting to the local dealer today, I asked for re clarification that if the vehicle was not immaculate (eg minor scratches, dents, interior damage), he would ensure all repairs/touching up would be completed as part of the sale and at no additional cost. He would not confirm this, saying lets just wait and see what it is like, but that I should expect some wear and tear on a six month old car.

When we have previously looked a similar car on a forecourt of another Ford garage, the dealer stated that once we had agreed a sale, we would go over the car with him and detail all the little marks/scratches/things we weren't happy with and it would go into their workshop prior to our collecting the vehicle (at no extra charge), together with a full valet. In his words "you expect a six month old car to be nearly perfect and so of course we'll sort out any minor issues for you".

Am I entitled to expect the same service on the car I am looking to purchase?

Asked on 16 January 2013 by Alison

Answered by Honest John
You are entitled to "satisfactory quality" for a 6 month old car. A few very minor dinks, stone chips and scratches would be acceptable. More than that you can demand they are repaired.
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