Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer?

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Fri 28 Aug 2009 21:26
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - Will Marshall
Are their any catches when buying from them and what percentage above the average price would you expect to pay for the extra service level they are offering ?

I have gleaned the following over the phone this evening, not had a chance to inspect vehicle yet.

They say they have just given the vehicle a full 40k service, issued a new mot and it has 6 mths tax to run. Mileage is 10k under the average for a 5 yr old car and I am told it is in excellent condition. Two previous owners, full service history, they sold it to last owner, who has sold it back to them.

They say they give a no quibble 12 month guarantee for parts and labour (except for perishables) and that they don't exclude repairing or replacing parts on the basis that they would be deemed to have worn out on an average vehicle of that age and mileage.

I don't mind paying a bit over the odds if they do what it says on their tin.

However I have a suspicious mind after previous experiences in buying fromback street independents whose guarantees aren't worth the paper they are written on once you return to them and they
invoke the small print.

Is there any real way to ascertain the full service and should I press to speak to previous owner? (mainly to ascertain that their story of respectable retired golf playing gentleman is true)





Edited by Will Marshall on 28/08/2009 at 21:31

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Fri 28 Aug 2009 21:48
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - bell boy
see if they have been trading from the same spot same owners for at least 5 years
if they do then i would consider them trustworthy
speak to previous owner by all means,i sometimes encourage customers to do this if they dont believe my yarns
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Fri 28 Aug 2009 22:03
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - gmac
Is there any real way to ascertain the full service and should I press to
speak to previous owner? (mainly to ascertain that their story of respectable retired golf playing
gentleman is true)


Some brands now log the service history in a central system. Get the reg or VIN number of the car and go to another main dealer. They should be able to print off the full history for you.
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Sat 29 Aug 2009 02:36
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - Will Marshall
I will try checking through another dealer thanks

I think they have been trading for a long time and have more than one dealership, I'll ask around in the morning.

<< " if they dont believe my yarns " >>

What percentage are yarns? lol
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Sat 29 Aug 2009 07:18
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - Will Marshall
Assuming the car is in the condition described; on a car priced at 7k what would the franchised dealer have allowed as a negotiating cushion and how much below that could you reasonably expect to bargain him down?

I'm also interested in what it would have likely have cost him to "buy" the car in and prepare etc. This chap said the service was worth around £320 and that he had also run a check on it.

Edited by Will Marshall on 29/08/2009 at 07:21

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Sat 29 Aug 2009 08:04
Buying 2ndhand from authorized dealer? - L'escargot
Assuming you're talking about a franchised dealer, then I'm sure they will have to have met a list of the car manufacturer's requirements to obtain the franchise.
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