used car purchase experience

[st13phil]

I wonder what the sales team's response would be to someone modifying the contract! "Does not compute", I expect.

I would almost guarantee they would baulk at changing it. And in fact, right on cue...

I asked about modifying the contract. they said no.

I've always found it odd that we all use legal specialists (solicitors) to advise us on what is the largest personal purchase that most of us make, relying upon their skills to negotiate a contract on our behalf, and wouldn't dream of unwittingly entering into a contract that removed our rights, yet for the second largest purchase most of us make - a car - there is a presumption that the sales contract presented by the vendor is non-negotiable and set in stone, even when it significantly disadvantages us, as in this case.

If the dealer won't budge on the contract, imo the OP's interests are almost certainly best served by not entering into it at all.

 

[E55BOF]

I'd have told them I would not sign a contract stating I had test-driven the car when I had not, and asked them how they proposed to resolve this difficulty - if I'd read the contract small print before signing...

So I'd probably have signed it...

In law, that term won't stand if it comes to a dispute, unless the defect in question was pointed out before the contract was signed. I can't see any company arguing that because of Covid, it was a reasonable contract term to require a customer to accept that no test drive was the same as a test drive.

 

[X1XXM]

Walk away and find another G-Wagon - you're spending North of £80k - or £130k on a new shape. They act like they are doing YOU the favour - Fook that - I would go elsewhere. Plenty of decent dealers out there who respect their customer base. Deffo buy one though as you'll love it. - though not the fuel consumption - expect to be on 1st name terms with the petrol pump peeps in Tesco!!

Speak to my mate, he funds all sorts of exotica and unusual stuff - shout if you want his mobile.

Heres his linked in profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-king-apollo-capital-06a3161b/?originalSubdomain=uk

 

[merc estate]

Walk, and tell them where they car park it, its called p*ss taking don't stand for it

 

[MercedesDriver]

Last month I had a similar experience with MB Oxford dealer (I think it belongs to Inchape), just rude and uptight attitude like I exist only for his pleasure. All I could get when enquired about S212 from 2015 they had on stock was a video of a car and that's it. Take it or leave it. The price was some 3k over the similar AU car of the same vintage (different colour though) but he wouldn't budge an inch even after sending him the link to the other car.
On the other hand with Grange Jaguar here in Woodford I was allowed to inspect the car, to point out to imperfections and to have unaccompanied 30 minutes test drive with my Mrs. I didn't enter their showroom once. After agreeing the price and leaving a deposit (full payment pending my approval of finished work on blemishes) the dealer kept me informed twice a day (morning and afternoon) about their progress in preparing the car. Okay it lasted for two days but still they treated me well, listened to me and answered all the queries I had about the car. They even answered me when I asked about the tyre sealant "Use By Date".
Walk away OP there are other G wagons on the market.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , I must say that the purchasing experience from Mercedes South West ( Plymouth ) was excellent.

A couple off minor issues that were rectified prior to delivery

Louise who was the sales person was excellent and even contacted me over Christmas to let me know the sale was progressing.

I must say that the Mercedes servicing dealer has been good.(I live over 200 miles from Plymouth)

 

[Rubyred]

Walk away and go some where else! It’s not worth the hassle, there’s plenty more cars out there.

 

[Rpp999]

I tend to agree with the majority, not happy then walk away. It’s supposed to be an enjoyable and exciting time for you. If anything goes wrong with that car you will be beating yourself up for the rest of your life. Don’t do it.

 

[oldguy57]

I'd have told them I would not sign a contract stating I had test-driven the car when I had not, and asked them how they proposed to resolve this difficulty - if I'd read the contract small print before signing...

So I'd probably have signed it...

In law, that term won't stand if it comes to a dispute, unless the defect in question was pointed out before the contract was signed. I can't see any company arguing that because of Covid, it was a reasonable contract term to require a customer to accept that no test drive was the same as a test drive.

Exactly this. The dealer wouldn't stand a chance in law, particularly if a subsequent problem arose which would have been identified by a test drive. A judge might ask you why you signed the contract though. Too many dealers seem to deliberately ignore the law nowadays.

 

[davymead]

It is hard, particularly if as in this case there aren’t that many vehicles of the type to buy. I agree with all that’s been said, I’d walk, but it’s not a Ford Focus. Difficult.

 

[st13phil]

had a similar experience with MB Oxford dealer (I think it belongs to Inchape), just rude and uptight attitude like I exist only for his pleasure.

They are one of my local dealers and I use them for service, but in terms of sales they are appallingly bad. I've purchased two new and four used MB cars from other dealers over the last 10 years as a direct result of their arrogant, intransigent, attitude.

 

[danik007]

wait for this:
when I was looking to buy a CLK500 (while still owning a CLK270) I went 150 miles far to see a car which looked alright in the pictures and the dealer was describing it as awesome.
Got there, first thing that I noticed straight away was the missing boot lid carpet lining and when I asked him why is it missing and if he has it his answer was, and I need your attention here lol
"This is a sports version, top of the range V8 engine, and the carpet was not installed for weight reduction"
Didn't buy the car in the end as the carpet wasn't the only issue it had.

Anyhow, beware of salesman stories and take them all with a pinch of salt.

 

[Fady]

Picked up my approved used last Saturday. Dealt with one salesman throughout and a distance sale so comms mainly by email. As courteous as you'd expect but didn't feel like a special event at all - I could have been buying a pound of onions!

 

[st13phil]

"This is a sports version, top of the range V8 engine, and the carpet was not installed for weight reduction"

Be honest, he deserves credit for such inventive BS

 

[danik007]

Be honest, he deserves credit for such inventive BS

I agree.
First he said that CLK's didn't have a boot lining in general and I walked him to my then CLK270 which I drove up there and showed it to him and that's when he invented the weight reduction nonsense. Ingenious but still a lie

 

[artschool]

so they relented slightly and put a note on the contract saying I have not had a test drive. so I now own the car

I really wanted a g wagon for ages and you only live once. I am confident that the contract won't stand up if I have any future problems so not that worried anymore.

found a sticky sweet in the rear map pocket and there was a spider web on the passenger headliner, so it had obviously had a really good valet before the keys were passed to me through the plastic covid sheeting.

oh and they hadn't replaced the trim that was hanging off the car in their own sales photos despite that being promised.

 

[Fastcar155]

I forgot to mention that Mercedes South West delivered the car to my house foc plus they then filled the car up with petrol.

 

[Jukie]

so they relented slightly and put a note on the contract saying I have not had a test drive. so I now own the car

I really wanted a g wagon for ages and you only live once. I am confident that the contract won't stand up if I have any future problems so not that worried anymore.

found a sticky sweet in the rear map pocket and there was a spider web on the passenger headliner, so it had obviously had a really good valet before the keys were passed to me through the plastic covid sheeting.

oh and they hadn't replaced the trim that was hanging off the car in their own sales photos despite that being promised.

I'm not surprised, considering the stories we read on here about dealers but it's still very shabby of them!

 

[Benz17]

Have put a deposit down for my father (BMW 330e), dealt with salesman via phone and email.

Going down to Hailsham to collect on Saturday, asked the salesman if he would meet me at the station with the car, I can then drive it back to the dealership, and complete all the relevant paperwork, and that would be my test drive, he had no objections, I did read somewhere, that in lockdown, once you have put a deposit down you are allowed to test drive.

They were meant to refurbish 2 alloys on the car yesterday, I was due to collect today, he called this morning to say there compressor has a problem, so can’t take tyres of to do refurb, and it will now be ready for Saturday, a bit strange that BMW main dealer, has only one compressor, and why couldn’t they remove like joe public does. Just seems weird, but all will become clear tomorrow, as he will update me.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Well it looks like all the dealers are plagued. I went to collect a Jag today just be told that it wasn't valeted yet and that they will deliver it at my place later today. Suffice to say I refused to sign the hand over papers until I go over the car with magnifying glass and sit in it.