Mercedes Approved Used Scheme Let Me Down — Dangerous E400d, No Apology or Compensation

[DSM10000]

I’m not naive enough to think the dealership was completely unaware of the faults.

Yes, I believe there’s a high probability they would have identified issues if they’d scanned the car properly using STAR diagnostics.

I also think that if they’d prepared the car properly, they would have carried out a wheel balance and, ideally, a tracking check.

Someone else has already pointed out the awkward, argumentative tone coming from certain ‘veteran members’ in this thread. Just look at who ‘liked’ your post — another veteran member. Hardly surprising.

If you want to carry on believing the dealership is entirely honest, honourable, and had no knowledge of these faults before selling me the car, be my guest. But let’s not pretend that’s the only logical conclusion!

Do grow up!

You posted here wanting advice and guidance. You received it and you didn't like some of the responses so you take faux offence with your passive aggressive attitude and keep posting about "your belief" etc without evidence.

The dealers are clearly sloppy in some aspects of their preparation and they should have refunded you much sooner but that isn't legal proof of dishonesty and you also failed to carry out due diligence on your part. It's very simple.

The car wasn't dangerous as you suggest because there is no way the dealer could have predicted the other faults.

Move om!

I have by the simple expedient of not being able to see any more of your posts!

 

[HappytalkAgain]

……I don't think it's unreasonable for your average punter to rely on "APPROVED USED" as implying the car is in good order……

+1

 

[DSM10000]

"Approved Used " means nothing more than a form of dealer backed warranty is given which is in addition to, but not in place of your statutory rights.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I also think that if they’d prepared the car properly, they would have carried out a wheel balance and, ideally, a tracking check.

Never happens....certainly not at any dealer, main or otherwise I've worked for.

 

[190]

My recent experience of a main dealership is not so much deliberate dishonesty as they just don't do the pre-sales check properly. A quick wash and vac of the interior and then it's up to the buyer to spot any faults. The cars they sell as approved used are now no better or worse than any where else and don't even necessarily have a FSH. In summary approved used no longer allows the buyer to go in blind and assume they will automatically be getting a superior car. This is where the dishonesty occurs with the franchise advertising a certain level of multipoint check and car preparation which the dealership can't realistically do either in the workshop time available or the profit margin doesn't allow it. They advertise that you will be getting a superior car but then don't necessarily deliver it and that's dishonest.

It wouldn't surprise me if these outfits that sell cars online and unseen do a better job of used car preparation because they are geared up to do it and don't have the conflicting pressures that a dealership has.

 

[markjay]

My recent experience of a main dealership is not so much deliberate dishonesty as they just don't do the pre-sales check properly. A quick wash and vac of the interior and then it's up to the buyer to spot any faults. The cars they sell as approved used are now no better or worse than any where else and don't even necessarily have a FSH. In summary approved used no longer allows the buyer to go in blind and assume they will automatically be getting a superior car. This is where the dishonesty occurs with the franchise advertising a certain level of multipoint check and car preparation which the dealership can't realistically do either in the workshop time available or the profit margin doesn't allow it. They advertise that you will be getting a superior car but then don't necessarily deliver it and that's dishonest.

It wouldn't surprise me if these outfits that sell cars online and unseen do a better job of used car preparation because they are geared up to do it and don't have the conflicting pressures that a dealership has.

I bought cars from big 'car supermarkets' before, all material faults were fixed before the car went on the forecourt, and all other faults - as well as cosmetic issues - issues were declared on the windscreen sticker. Their cars aren't always the best, but - in my experience, anyway - they were always 'as advertised".

I guess that when your business model is high volume and low margins, you can't really afford to employ staff who waste their time on customer's complaints. Which, it seems, is the reverse with (some) MB dealerships.

 

[ALFAitalia]

My recent experience of a main dealership is not so much deliberate dishonesty as they just don't do the pre-sales check properly. A quick wash and vac of the interior and then it's up to the buyer to spot any faults. The cars they sell as approved used are now no better or worse than any where else and don't even necessarily have a FSH. In summary approved used no longer allows the buyer to go in blind and assume they will automatically be getting a superior car. This is where the dishonesty occurs with the franchise advertising a certain level of multipoint check and car preparation which the dealership can't realistically do either in the workshop time available or the profit margin doesn't allow it. They advertise that you will be getting a superior car but then don't necessarily deliver it and that's dishonest.

It wouldn't surprise me if these outfits that sell cars online and unseen do a better job of used car preparation because they are geared up to do it and don't have the conflicting pressures that a dealership has.

Like anything else, I would think there are MB dealers who prep theirs cars better than others.....I bet the ones who are not part of a big group do a better job. But none will do wheel alignment etc unless something feels wrong on the road test. Some customers just have unrealistic expectations (even when buying new in some cases) of a used car. Others are good, realistic and go with the flow....they are the ones who's will get better service than the ones that shout and jump up and down if something does go wrong....at least that's how it works in my experience. I've had to replace or refund the odd vehicle or caravan over the years.....and I've worked for companies with high prep standards (my bosses constant moan is our high recon costs....but the workshop manager wants them to go out right and not come back)....but even then things happen.

On the car multipoint check front...I think it was 115 point check at VW back then... they were always done.....but after the purchase and before delivery....NOT before going on show. It's pointless doing it that way as the car will still need to go back in the workshop after sale if the customers wants things done or accessories added....or if he wants additional corrective work done. So we tried to only get it in the ws once. You should not find any major issues if the car was checked over well before agreeing a PX price with the previous owner. We NEVER bought from auctions....same as we don't where I work now. Too risky. The reason I say that is because I know some of the issues on cars and caravans that I have put though the block over the years...lol . No dealer , unless under severe cash flow pressures will put retail quality stock though the auctions.... thats burning cash.

 

[tonysmb]

Alfa has summed it up well. In many respects, things aren't as good as they used to be, for many reasons including, but not exclusively:
Many family firms, often overseen by the owner, have sold out to chains, often multi-franchise
Internet has resulted in 'ABC has one for sale, cheaper than yours', therefore need to keep sticker price competitive
Some garages move stock around after 30/60/90 days, hence no point in spending on prep if it goes elsewhere
Many staff are simply dealing with 'units', no real interest
Cars no longer known locally-sourced trade-ins, now often purchased via manufacturers' ex-lease returns
FSH, on an under 2-year old car, or for some now, under 4-years, will simply be one oil change and a few ' checks'

It isn't just MB. My local village non-MB franchised garage has recently sold out to a chain. Originally run by the original owner, then two friends (who'd w9rjed there for years) until they retired. Over decades, never heard one murmur of complaint. Knew their customers, nothi g too much trouble, used cars were local and immaculate. A neighbour has recently purchased a used car from them, initially nothing but trouble. Took it back within days for repair, they were less than helpful. He left it with them 'I'm not paying another penny, deliver it to me when it's fixed'. Car is clearly a trade-in or auction car from somewhere, they simply took it in and passed it straight out (it was a case of 'we have one coming in soon'). A very disappointed customer. How things change.

However, (BBC balanced approach here ) it can work both ways; a friend is selling his small independent garage and retiring early and one deciding factor is that he's fed up with rude and entitled customers, sometimes threatening 'socials' if they think they've been overcharged/failed an MOTfor no reason/car not ready, or making appointments for services or mots and not turning up, not even ringing to cancel or apologise, so he has empty ramps and underemployed staff.

Everybody thought internet buying would improve everything, with cheaper prices; as they say, be careful what you wish for.

 

[markjay]

Alfa has summed it up well. In many respects, things aren't as good as they used to be, for many reasons including, but not exclusively:
Many family firms, often overseen by the owner, have sold out to chains, often multi-franchise
Internet has resulted in 'ABC has one for sale, cheaper than yours', therefore need to keep sticker price competitive
Some garages move stock around after 30/60/90 days, hence no point in spending on prep if it goes elsewhere
Many staff are simply dealing with 'units', no real interest
Cars no longer known locally-sourced trade-ins, now often purchased via manufacturers' ex-lease returns
FSH, on an under 2-year old car, or for some now, under 4-years, will simply be one oil change and a few ' checks'

It isn't just MB. My local village non-MB franchised garage has recently sold out to a chain. Originally run by the original owner, then two friends (who'd w9rjed there for years) until they retired. Over decades, never heard one murmur of complaint. Knew their customers, nothi g too much trouble, used cars were local and immaculate. A neighbour has recently purchased a used car from them, initially nothing but trouble. Took it back within days for repair, they were less than helpful. He left it with them 'I'm not paying another penny, deliver it to me when it's fixed'. Car is clearly a trade-in or auction car from somewhere, they simply took it in and passed it straight out (it was a case of 'we have one coming in soon'). A very disappointed customer. How things change.

However, (BBC balanced approach here ) it can work both ways; a friend is selling his small independent garage and retiring early and one deciding factor is that he's fed up with rude and entitled customers, sometimes threatening 'socials' if they think they've been overcharged/failed an MOTfor no reason/car not ready, or making appointments for services or mots and not turning up, not even ringing to cancel or apologise, so he has empty ramps and underemployed staff.

Everybody thought internet buying would improve everything, with cheaper prices; as they say, be careful what you wish for.

I think that part of the issue is that many second-hand car buyers are still unaware of their rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as can be seen from those asking for advice on here. It seems that (some) sellers are exploiting the public's ignorance. If traders knew that every car that leaves their forecourt with a fault will be coming straight back, they would have prepped them better.