Well it's not an import and I have done an HPI check on that .. it's legit.

The car has full service history and pretty alright on paper ... I'm paying around £2000 for it - but until now I was considering a "value" of the 6 months WMS warranty, which I've now realized is pretty much nil, - may be I can get it at £1900 without the WMS warranty, but then he should cover me for the sales of goods act thing..

The price is matching whatcar, parkers and wisebuyers valuation for private party.. it's actually around £200 less

The dealer is pretty small, doesn't have a lot of cars - and operates from home and a mobile phone - but has an autotrader website :)

BTW - webuyanycar valuates the car £1080 .. I'm paying to the dealer £1900 or so .. guess that's a fair balance ?

Few dealers, who are 60 miles away from my place, told me that they will give a "personal" warranty coverage for 3 months 30,000 miles.

Now, how does these personal dealer warranties really work ? When there's a problem, does the dealer absorb the cost of repair in his books ? Or does he claim to his insurance company for the claim ? If the latter, then there's no difference from a car that comes with a "dealer warranty" or any "insurance backed warranty".

And even if the dealer is good, the question really is, whether it's practical to expect he will be as effective to fix my car when I am 60 mils away ! .. And it doesn't make sense to tow a car to his place to get it fixed as that cost almost equal amount of money I would have paid to Waranty direct or so ?

Excellent advice.

You may already have purchased so my comments may be too late. Basically always be wary of "a full service history" or "main dealer history" etc as the terms are almost meaningless.

Not true.

A full service history means that the services have been carried out to the manufacturers recommended standards with the work specified, at the set intervals with no misses. A main dealer completed full service history means that it was carried out by a main dealer to the manufacturers recommended standards with the work specified, at the set intervals with no misses.

In both cases the work undertaken, the parts, oil etc and the standard of the work should be to that specified by the manufacturer.

Thus the terms are not meaningless as if the history is not completed up to the above standards (or has been faked) the vehicle would not be "as described" and there would be a valid claim under the Sale of Goods Act.

Similarly if the servicing has been carried out in accordance with the requirements and goes wrong there is likely to be a successful claim on any warranty. If it has not, then there is not likely to be a successful claim on any warranty.

Edited by LucyBC on 03/12/2010 at 10:44

A little old but just thought I would add that the paperwork may be correct in saying a dealer's service history but they aren't always good dealers.

Many years ago, when I was much younger and naive a Rover dealer (by Soho, London) service the 216 I had. Upon arriving home I noticed the oil (level and viscosity) was the same as before the service! Still got charged for oil but they were a poor garage with poor staff. Then with Renault not long ago the oil noted in the service manual states various ones used: 10/40, 5/30 where 5/40 is the recommended oil! Got the stamp but what does that tell you about the supposed competency of the 'experts'? Most people don't know what oil type is needed but expect it will be done properly by a dealer. Funnily enough (may be a coincidence) but after a two year minor service (10/40 oil used) the car came out and a whistling noise was noticed immediately. They said it should ease off but didn't. Another dealer checked and the flaming Turbo was faulty. Went to the garage fine came out with a faulty turbo. Strange how that first garage shut down not long after. Perhaps no where to tie the horses?

Thought I would share that