Reply With QuoteMinor thing but maybe check there aren’t any diesel specific taxes or issues in your area. There was talking of banning diesels for Bristol city centre for example.
Evening all.
I'm looking to buy my first car in ten years and took a test drive tonight. The car met my expectations and I think it's good value, particularly if I can get a bit of a reduction.
It's from a dealership and has an MOT until January 2021. They've said they they only give a new MOT if the current one has less than six months remaining so I'd get a seven month MOT.
I've asked them to get back to me tomorrow with the service history details and confirmation that it will be fully serviced and prepared before purchase.
They'll HPI check it. Is there anything else I should be doing prior to making a purchase decision? Any websites I can use / you'd recommend to gather any more information?
It's a 2014 Mercedes B-Class 1.5 diesel.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Minor thing but maybe check there aren’t any diesel specific taxes or issues in your area. There was talking of banning diesels for Bristol city centre for example.
Have you done the Glasses/Parker’s guide checks? I’m not familiar with these cars but those guides can be a good reference point.
Good point. I've just checked and the Clean Air Zone proposal for Newcastle is for diesel cars registered before September 2015 to be charged £12.50 a day. The proposed zone covers where I work so this may well be a deal breaker.
However, If the councils choose not to go with the CAZ, the alternative they have put forward involves putting a toll on the three central bridges across the River Tyne - the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridges. This solution has been put forward amid fears that a CAZ would disproportionately punish poorer communities, where older cars are more common.
Originally Posted by thestore
Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 9th June 2020 at 20:46.
Parker's price guide is bang-on the dealer price.
Nothing like planning ahead but when you're ready for your first car in ten years, things might have changed a bit... couldn't resist.
It's a usual amount of time for used car standards, I literally wrote our policy in a previous role (fairly large dealer group). Part of the reason was the stocking policy but that's an internal issue. There's no reason at all if you are more comfortable with a new MOT that you couldn't negotiate a full year. It could well be that they've had the vehicle a while and did it themselves before the furloughs etc. hit.
Again, if they've had the vehicle a while they could have essentially serviced it earlier in the year with no miles being added? Not sure why they'd give themselves overnight to answer though if it wasn't new in to them... ask for the names of the garages on the service and call them to check. Mercedes (if serviced with them) have a central database so you can call any dealership.
An HPi check is the very least they should be doing for due diligence. You are buying with clear title but I would ask to see a copy or invest in your own with an NMR check if they are a small, unfranchised dealer. You can check MOT history online if you have the registration number. Obviously, you are entitled to get independent checks carried out (at your cost). If it is a smaller company, I would be checking social media/review sites to see how they deal with the bad feedback. They didn't build the vehicle, they probably didn't own it from new or know all about it's usage, previous repair bills etc. New/Used vehicles can go wrong, it's how they deal with these times that would affect my purchasing decision.
Maybe ask if they throw in an extended warranty to go over and above your normal consumer rights.
To perhaps add some credence to my answers, I have been in the motor-trade all of my life and (unfortunately) still in it. I have worked in various roles and just completed an MSc in Automotive Management.
- - - Updated - - -
Also meant to add, I am more than happy to chat through any questions on the phone. PM me if you'd like to and I'll send my number.
Paddy! - thank you for your comprehensive response, I'll use all of that information. The MOT history looks fine:
BK14 BHN
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk...650.1589635054
Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 9th June 2020 at 20:51.
I’ve never understood why any dealer would want to sell a vehicle with anything less that a 12 months mot on it. Let’s face it, it’s £54 retail and although it’s not really sometimes worth the paper it’s written on would give buyers more confidence.
I’m guessing it’ll go through some kind of preparation but I’d expect if the service isn’t due within 6 months etc like the MOt I doubt if they’d service it also.
Thanks. I'll be pushing for a new MOT and service.
The most likely answer is the Sales Manager is an idiot. It's normally in the job spec.
However, a more likely explanation:
If a vehicle comes into stock and fits the parameter to have a new MOT, it is cheaper and easier to do it during it's PDi, along with a service by potentially half an hours labour. Times that by (in our case as an example over the 7 dealerships my previous role covered) 3500ish used vehicles over a year, it makes sense to get the as much work as possible done right at the start. Remember "wooden dollars" in our dealerships where the discounts on labour and parts are nowhere near where people think.
Most larger/franchised dealerships will have a 90 day stocking policy, many of the big groups then allow a transfer to another dealership in the group starting the 90 day timer again, if unsold. If it gets to the end of this period, we're at 180 days (6 months) at which point invariably it's priced to sell (or trade) at cost or below depending on provisions against budget/accounts (40% of vehicle value in most instances). So you're looking at something that could potentially have been MOTd 6 months ago and a penny pinching sales manager refusing to do a new MOT as they are short sighted, also in the job spec.
Personally, I would always recommend they did if the customer asked but I don't get paid off their bottom line, so it's not my decision.
Do you trust the garage to actually do a full service? I'm always wary of smaller dealers claiming they'll do a service after we nearly bought a used Honda Jazz with, apparently, a full service thrown in. We paid a deposit and when we went to pick it up I checked the oil. It was barely up to the minimum level and the cap had a thick creamy residue. The coolant was below min. level, the washer bottle was empty and the sparks were gunked beyond recognition. They hadn't done anything to it so we got the deposit back and walked away.
I'd factor in a full service from a Mercedes garage or indy Merc specialist.
Also, it seems like low mileage for a diesel this age so maybe lots of short journeys with the car not getting up to full temp, so are there any DPF issues to look out for? I don't know about the B-Class but these are the things I'd be looking for.
EDIT: Seems like a sound buy:
https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-ben.../n18107/advice
Last edited by Onelasttime; 9th June 2020 at 21:42.
Not wanting to pigeonhole any sales managers but I tend to agree with you - they certainly are a different breed.
Big plcs put huge pressure on staff to squeeze every penny out of every job and take your point about time saving and what happens when a car doesn’t sell.
The op hasn’t said, I don’t believe, if this is a main dealer or not, if so I’m surprised 12 months MOT isn’t part of their minimum standards...I know it’s JLRS.
Apologies, it's Evans Halshaw.
I always run a quick and free check on totalcarcheck.co.uk. Just enter the reg to get some basic info including mileage check and mot history. You can pay for deeper checks if you like.
It’s sometimes revealing to see reasons for previous mot failure. Corrosion being one thing to look out for.
Being Evans Halshaw It’ll be no doubt be a p/x taken in within group, they operate pretty similar to a trade centre, no frills and they’ll try and get away with anything they can- Doesn’t mean it’s a bad car, they tend to do the stack ‘em high sell them very competitively, just don’t expect the usual dealer standards.
My last one came from Evans Halshaw, they’ll try to get any penny they can from you. I paid to get a full years MOT and they did the basic minimum service they could get away with. But the car was priced well below what other dealers wanted so I took a chance and it’s worked out ok.
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Another one is nearly bald tyres I bought a car that had tyres virtually on the legal limit and because it just passed the mot they wouldn’t change them I Said I didn’t expect to pay 8 grand for a car then have to buy new tyres for it a week later and asked for the deposit back then they begrudgingly put 2 new budget tyres on and this was a Renault main dealer
There is a public group on FB called Evans Halshaw Rip Offs, worth a read. A quick search of the group has a couple of results on Newcastle.
Obviously this doesn’t give you the full picture and it’s just people who are not happy with them but there do seem to be some recurring issues.
Good luck.
I always start my car search by looking at the reliability index from here:
https://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/155
Also I check out the 'Honest John' review of of the car, specifically the 'good and bad' page as it gives you an idea of what issues you may face.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbyca...ass-2012/good/
I'm far from an expert but have bought 2 used cars in the last 12 months and learned some things in the process!
Get them MOT'd and serviced, even if you get a voucher for it to be done down the line.
Check the tire tread.
Check the actual MOT certificate to see what came up - any wear noted to the brake pads/discs for example, of these need changed soon that is something you want to take into consideration.
Warranty - how long, what does it cover, who is it backed off to?
Alloys - are they in good condition, have they been patched up and have potential to look awful a month after purchase?
Adding in things like tints, painting the calipers, or small pieces of work/enhancements can work as a bargaining chip if you want to try your luck and the price won't budge. I got alloy repair and tints sorted for a main dealer Volvo V40 I bought for my wife last year and that was after haggling the price down already. I think the guy just wanted rid of me
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I'd be more content taking the car 'as-is' and getting someone I trust to do a thorough service.
I'm beginning to think that way. Thanks.
Looking at the advert it does say FSH
Unless they can provide prove of this i would be wary as many dealers say that and then never provide the documents to prove it.
The M.O.T. history is aways a good check which you have done and nothing scary in there.
What doses FSH mean?
Could be a full (i.e. complete) history of services (of whatever standard) or a history of full services.
The advert only says Service history.
Mercedes like many use a digital service record which can be updated by an independant who services the vehicle so it shouldn't be difficult for Evans Halshaw to provide this.
I prefer a history when a vehicle has been serviced every 12 months even though some service intervals are now 2 years for a number of manufactures.
Ok, you previously said FSH but anyway, mine was a more general point about the ambiguity of said phrase.
Update:
EH confirmed today:
- Serviced by them on 29th May
- New discs and pads fitted all round
- New headlamp jet fitted
- Will get back to me re service history
I'm now more concerned about the Clean Air Zone situation that might happen around Newcastle. I can't buy a car that's going to cost me £12.50 a day to get to work every day and into Town on a weekend.
Commuters will not be charged.
https://www.sr-news.com/index.php/20...n-air-charges/
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Thanks, I wasn't aware of that amendment.
Personally, I'd avoid buying a diesel car if I went near any urban center with any regularity. I do tend to hold on to my cars for a while 3-5 years usually and a lot of legislation can change in that timeframe. At present there is a pogrom against diesel cars which makes them cheap to buy but potentially ruinously expensive to own.
I had to look that word up !
There could be a scrapage scheme introduced so it might be worth holding off. Not sure what that’ll do for second hand prices.
I have a focus titanium on a 68 plate which has another 15 months to run on a PCP. Ford called me today to say they can give me the exact same car brand new but cheaper than what I pay now.
Guy said Ford are looking to move stock, am waiting to hear back how much cheaper, would tie me in for another 3 years but it's a reasonable enough car...makes me think I was paying to much to start, which I dibnt think at the time.
Do you actually mean cheaper, or lower monthly payment ?
Lower monthly payment
There’s a big difference
Yep. Chances are it's a lower monthly payment with a bigger balloon. Buyer beware.
I'm actually looking at a couple of those right now!
Would start at 3 years pcp same as my existing agreement.
As I have no intention of buying it outright after the duration and I'm paying less monthly, I cant see why I shouldn't. Asked if I could wait until the new plate come out in September and was told that deal wouldn't be available then.
Will see what they say.
Good cars mate.
My Mrs has a fairly good spec golf on a 67 plate, the focus is far superior imo.
Tin hat on!
I suppose to an extent If you rent cars the purchase price is irrelevant, I have a friend who is the sales manager in a Large Lexus dealership, he tells me that they pretty much only talk about the monthly payments, unless the customer specifically asks to discuss purchase price.
That's good to know, many thanks. I'm also looking at an Insignia on a 65 plate with very low mileage.
On the 65 plate I was looking to change cars from a Astra to something bigger, tried the insignia and a few others, ended up with the mondeo, lower monthly than the insignia and better drive.
Good luck with the search
What's the collective opinion on buying a Cat D car? It's from a dealer with good reviews, a small indy rather than a mean VW dealer. Very low mileage for age and great price.
Never seen a cat c or d car that wasn't a good deal. Some love them but I haven't had one and doubt I would.
I thought they were called cat S now, nothing wrong provided you know exactly why it was written off (could be stolen recovered) and have proof that it has been repaired properly, only down side is that you may never be able to move it on, so needs to be either Very cheap or a keeper.
I agree, and try and get photographic evidence of what’s been done also a lot of insurance company’s don’t like cat s cars and as has been said most people won’t touch them with a barge pole If you want to sell it and most dealers won’t touch them too
You’ll struggle to resell it - but if it’s cheap enough and you’re running g it into the ground so be it
Fair point. I've discounted that one and the original B-Class. The search has narrowed to several each of Insignia and Focus and they're all local cars from reputable dealers.
I'll hopefully get something sorted next week.
Each to his own but following two Focus I then bought a Golf and found I much preferred it.
So much so I have had five more since!
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