SIMI question. First time car buyer.

Trixie1

Hi, just wondered if people think SIMI means much when buying a car. I don't know much about cars but have found what I think is a good car from an SIMI garage. Irish, not too much milage. Saw it and it drives fine. It's such a bargain though I'm afraid it'll fall apart before I get it home. Or worse, will cost me a fortune 6 or 12 months down the line. The garage only offer a 3 month warranty. Does SIMI mean it's a safer bet??? Or does it mean anything really??

BlackWizard

It means nothing really. Ideally it should mean something, but really they appear to just be a lobby group set up for the good of the motor industry and not the consumer.

Saab Ed

Some would argue that standards in an SIMI garage should be better but there are no certanties. How much money do you want to spend? This will most likely determine what type of dealer you will need to visit.

mumblin deaf ro

Which garage is it? (mods - is that a fair Q?)

Trixie1

Or I tell you and someone swipes my bargain out from under me Should I wait for someone to tell me it's ok to say it??? Sorry - not sure how this place works...

EPM

Maybe put up a link to the car and you'll get an opinion on it?

There's no such thing as a free lunch

Trixie1

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Megane/1.4-Dyna/200906191764611/advert

Here's one of my options....

Saab Ed

Seems a cheap car but you want 6 months warranty. Also thoses Meganes have a few problems. Make sure the electric windows works. Known problem on them. Listen for knocks and bangs from the suspension, another weak point.

BlackWizard

You could pick up a similar year Passat or Mondeo for that price.. But that's not why you here.

CountingCrows

No previous owners mentioned and mats don't look like originals, thread carefully.

PauloMN

Is it my imagination or does the inside of that driver's door look very worn and grubby for a car with 36k miles on it?

Saab Ed

CountingCrows wrote: »

No previous owners mentioned and mats don't look like originals, thread carefully.

"The mats dont look original " WTF.....looking out for others is doing the right thing but worring about the mats is just crazy. Sky in the backround looks a little overcast too , that would put me right off

homer90

Saab Ed wrote: »

"The mats dont look original " WTF.....looking out for others is doing the right thing but worring about the mats is just crazy. Sky in the backround looks a little overcast too , that would put me right off

mickdw

Saab Ed wrote: »

"The mats dont look original " WTF.....looking out for others is doing the right thing but worring about the mats is just crazy. Sky in the backround looks a little overcast too , that would put me right off

I think if you look at the mats comment together with the comment re the overly worn drivers door, it makes sense to look very carefully at wear around the drivers floor, pedals, steering etc so it wasnt such a silly comment. The Op might well now go and look at the car having read this and find a large hole worn in the actual carpet in the drivers floor. The mats comment wouldnt be so silly then.
I agree that the door looks like something off a 100,000 mile car.
It would be advisable is this case to go through all service history docs very carefully.

Owen

It's a Megane - the reason the guy's giving a 3 month warranty with it is because in 4 months, everything will go wrong with it and he wont' want to stand over it. Buy a reliable car for your own sake.

Trixie1

Thanks a million for all the input everyone. I really appreciate it.

BlackWizard

I reckon most of us have held out on the Renault and Megane bashing because it would be off topic a little. But a fair few people here would agree with what ned78 said.

My advice is to have a look around at all your options. Make lots of phone calls and maybe you might find an amazing deal on a car you never thought of before like a Mazda or something. circa. 6000 euro is a lot of money , it should give you a lot of choices.

lifer_sean

Mechanically I wouldn't be too concerned, but the electrics, that's another story. Have just spent over 350 euro (labour at trade price, and secondhand parts) to fix the fuel gauge on a Megane, and now have an airbag problem and a central locking problem.

It's cheap for a reason !!!

However, a 05 Mondeo or Passat for 6000 ??? Now that's optimistic !

mumblin deaf ro

OP is asking about garages, not cars. Maybe the most helpful thing would be for anyone who has dealt with this garage to tell of their experience.

BSHAC

I've just gotten very badly stung by a SIMI dealer. Car sold as Irish car one owner. Was going to get the car checked but was expressly reassured that they were a SIMI dealer so didn't bother - a costly mistake.Turns out car is imported and although forms say it's from Northern Ireland, the DVLA (UK Registration agency) tell me the reg on the form is not a UK or NI reg. Brought car to an independent garage and underneath is completely corroded. After serious threats the garage has said they'll give me money back but the problem is that they have no money!

SIMI just direct you to either their arbitration scheme or to the National Consumer Agency. They are not interested in just hearing a complaint. Their website says “Motorists should look for the SIMI logo as a symbol of reassurance” - utter rubbish.

My advice is to get your car checked independently - SIMI means nothing at all. And if you are getting your car checked, you might as well buy privately really, unless you are getting a good warranty and price.

Owen

BSHAC wrote: »

SIMI means nothing at all.

I think that's one thing this Forum unanimously agrees on.

BSHAC wrote: »

And if you are getting your car checked, you might as well buy privately really, unless you are getting a good warranty and price.

Or ... any warranty. Or need to offload your own car.

Trixie1

Thanks all, between this and my googling for the last few days, I think I'll keep looking as I've heard a few things about these cars and I really want a hassel free car. It's good to know about SIMI too.

I'll be using the search button in this place a bit while my search continues!! Loads of great advice. Thanks again.