[barton2002]

this question is a bit lame. but i just want to make sure. since i dont want to spend 20 pounds doing hpi check.

sorry to be silly :P

[PhilL]

You're certainly right about your question

[barton2002]

:P THANK you :P

[NFS]

The HPI check will only show insurance write offs. These won't be sold through the dealer networks as Approved Used Cars.

That doesn't mean that you have a guarantee that an Aproved Used Car will not have been in an accident. You should check out panel lines, ask the salesman and look for overspray etc just in case.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by barton2002

this question is a bit lame. but i just want to make sure. since i dont want to spend 20 pounds doing hpi check.

sorry to be silly :P

As said, HPI only shows finance stuff, write off's or certain classes of major damage, not regular crashes.

Dealers can and do sell cars that have been crashed, because it's deemed they will have been repaired properly and thus be perfectly saleable in law.

And all any trader has to say when you ask if its been crashed is 'not to our knowledge sir' and they are in the clear legally.

Be warned, get a full AA inspection on ANY car whether its from a dealer or not.

Don't be fooled - AUC Dealers are just Arfa Daleys' in shiny BMW franchise buildings.... all you get is a 1 year AUC warranty, nothing more in law or from BMW.

[dxb335d]

+1 doughman.

Car in question could still have been wrapped around a lamp post at some point.

[andytran]

+2 Doughman.

Ive been a victim of this.

Bought a 12 mth old AUC BMW 120d M sport From BMW Aberdeen last year.

After about a month, I decided to have a good root around under the bonnet with my lad (a mechanic). We found lots of bits of black plastic down inbetween engine mounts etc.
Looked really closely and could see that the bonnet was out of alignment. also, the silver colour was slightly different.

Investigated further and found a small "compliments" slip from specialist cars body shop (part of the aberdeen BMW group!).

Rang them up to ask what work was done...... wish I hadnt. First thing the guy asks...which accident Sir? Apparently, it had been in for repair twice - once was a pretty major smash, the other relatively minor.

My point is, dont think just because you are buying an AUC from a BMW dealer, you are immune to getting ripped off. They are ALL Arthur Daileys, just that some have nicer showrooms and better coffee!

It does show that even when a dealer puts a car through its own body shop for repair, if its not a write off, they have no legal requirement to tell you.

I kicked off in the showroom once I found out, but it got me knowhere, as legally, they had done nothing wrong.

DO NOT TRUST ANY DEALER, seriously, some are better than others, but all of them have a no1 priority to make you part with your cash. The only difference between them is in aftercare - thats what makes a good dealer good and a bad one bad.

Andy

[F31-340i]

^^^^agree with all this, but...

...if you ask the dealer if its had a smash, and he says no, and it later turns out it has and it seems likely that he knew about it - thats misselling and you would have some come back. Depending on circumstances could be tricky to prove.

..."they are all authur daleys" - absolutely.

[zltm089]

bloody hell...I didn't know this....gona check my car thoroughly now....

[Jeff123]

Hi

Maybe someone on the forum with a legal background could devise a type of form for the dealer to sign when a car is purchased - similar to the form that we have to sign when trading-in a car. This could contain clauses referring to the history of the car that they are selling.

Otherwise, a buyer has virtually no come-back. It's your word against that of the Salesman.

Jeff

[RiCh]

Some really good advice there.

A lot of people think that since they are buying from a main dealer (not just BMW) that the cars are going to be perfect. Most cars usually are, however there are some that are not.

Most of the time the dealers genuinely dont know about any accident damage a car has had, unless it is really obvious like a different colour wing or something. There isnt a lot you can do afterwards if the dealer told you that to his knowledge the car hadn't had any repairs done.

The dealers can check their system to see the car's history which will tell you how many vists its had to the dealers for repair or servicing, but from this you may still not be able to find out about any accident damage, as the car could have been repaired by someone like Nationwide and not necesarily the main dealer

My advice is if you dont know what to look for before you buy then either take someone with you who does or it might be worthwhile paying for an AA or RAC inspection for that extra piece of mind. Spending that £20 now could save you a lot of hassle in the future.

[dxb335d]

Most dealers don't say no. As they Might not. They usually
say " not to my knowledge sir"


Which is their get out Clause

[Baby Dave]

If they reply with "Not to my knowlege sir" get them to confirm it or tell them to piss off and go else where.

[doughboy]

I think you'll struggle to get ANY trader to say ANY car has definitely not been in an accident or been repaired.

It's too risky for them, I think they'd rather lose a sale than commit to something that they can never really be sure of.

Any car can be pranged and repaired to perfection, its technically as good as new, but its still 'been in an accident'

Even cars that get damaged in transit from the factory get repaired and sold as new, you hear about that all the time.

You've just go to get an inspection - never believe what anyone tells you if they have a vested interest.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by doughboy

I think you'll struggle to get ANY trader to say ANY car has definitely not been in an accident or been repaired.

It's too risky for them, I think they'd rather lose a sale than commit to something that they can never really be sure of.

Any car can be pranged and repaired to perfection, its technically as good as new, but its still 'been in an accident'

Even cars that get damaged in transit from the factory get repaired and sold as new, you hear about that all the time.

You've just go to get an inspection - never believe what anyone tells you if they have a vested interest.

Majority of heavily damaged cars get sold as Demo's etc.

[chris330D]

Agree with the advice here, if you are spending serious money on a second hand car you must get it inspected particularly any kind of performance car. I was all set to buy a Civic Type R from a Honda dealer, the AA inspection showed that not only had it had a 'heavy' fron impact but it had also been poorly repaired. It may seem a waste of money paying for the inspection but i was happier to walk away rather than buy it and find out afterwards when it was too late. Too be honest it is why i am prepared to pay the extra and buy new, so many cars are 'tracked', 'chipped' etc it is very difficult to know what you are buying.

[dxb335d]

Chris, if the damage was that bad and it was that poorly repaired, how did you not notice yourself!?

[chris330D]

Good point but to be fair what they had done was put new panels on but the panels were not sealed on the inside. the survey showed the fron end had been rebuilt but not finished properly. The guy also spotted uneven wear on the tyres. All of this can be picked up by the punter but when the heart starts beating it can be difficult not to get carried away

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by chris330D

Good point but to be fair what they had done was put new panels on but the panels were not sealed on the inside. the survey showed the fron end had been rebuilt but not finished properly. The guy also spotted uneven wear on the tyres. All of this can be picked up by the punter but when the heart starts beating it can be difficult not to get carried away

Im the opposite. Im out to find out the bad points and to walk away. That way I only find the perfect non accident damaged car.

[chris330D]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Im the opposite. Im out to find out the bad points and to walk away. That way I only find the perfect non accident damaged car.

Good for you, I get set on an idea and get carried away hence the 3rd party inspection! I think a second pair of eyes is a good idea in any event.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by chris330D

Good for you, I get set on an idea and get carried away hence the 3rd party inspection! I think a second pair of eyes is a good idea in any event.

I agree entirely. Nice to have the inspection report to add to S/H.