MrGreedy
MB Enthusiast
Don't know if this is normal, as I don't buy cars very often. Looking (online) at a nice S211 2008. Has decent kit I think (I've checked the datacard). £5.5k
I asked about taking the car for an extended test drive and said that I was happy to pay any sensible security for this plus I'd be happy to leave my car and keys, and also that I would pay reasonable costs/processing/fuel i.e. I'm thinking £20-50. I was told that I'm allow 10 minutes, 15 max due to insurance limits, but this would be free.
I then said I would like to get the car inspected at a local garage (Merc specialist btw) at my cost, but the garage owner said 'no way'. They then went on to say that with older secondhand cars like this, 'you don't get longer test drives than this and you won't be allowed to get one inspected'.
Is this true, or is this an immediate red flag to walk away?
I don't expect to have all this handed to me for free and I know this takes the company's time, hence me being prepared to pay them for any effort and costs they incur, but the short limit on inspection makes me nervous. It feels a bit 'auction' like, but without auction prices.
I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for if this is the way of things when buying 10 year old 2nd hand cars and I need to reset my expectations. It's a total gamble and garages are looking for customers willing to hand over cash with few questions asked.
I asked about taking the car for an extended test drive and said that I was happy to pay any sensible security for this plus I'd be happy to leave my car and keys, and also that I would pay reasonable costs/processing/fuel i.e. I'm thinking £20-50. I was told that I'm allow 10 minutes, 15 max due to insurance limits, but this would be free.
I then said I would like to get the car inspected at a local garage (Merc specialist btw) at my cost, but the garage owner said 'no way'. They then went on to say that with older secondhand cars like this, 'you don't get longer test drives than this and you won't be allowed to get one inspected'.
Is this true, or is this an immediate red flag to walk away?
I don't expect to have all this handed to me for free and I know this takes the company's time, hence me being prepared to pay them for any effort and costs they incur, but the short limit on inspection makes me nervous. It feels a bit 'auction' like, but without auction prices.
I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for if this is the way of things when buying 10 year old 2nd hand cars and I need to reset my expectations. It's a total gamble and garages are looking for customers willing to hand over cash with few questions asked.