Car dealer reviews and dodgy deals

sillysmiles

Is there anywhere that does reviews of car dealers? I need to buy but don't know a huge amount about cars. This means that the dealer is important. There are currently lots of good deals on the type of car I'm interested in, but the question remains - how to do know how to trust a dealer/garage. I don't want to have to get every car I'm interested reviewed by my own mechanic.

And as a second point - does anyone know what happens if you buy a car, dealer says full service history, 3 months warranty etc and then you discover a major flaw or that the car has been clocked.
Where do you stand? what's your rights?

Anan1

Start off by reading this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056198864

-Corkie-

Also dont buy a particular car of a garage just because they are SIMI registered. It means nothing to you the customer...

mothoin

and don't go near green isle autos!!:(

AltAccount

I'd put a lot of stock in praise for a dealer.

It's hard to criticise online due to Ireland's libel laws, so I'd think of most businesses as being damned by faint praise, unless someone'll put their hand up and recommend the business.

L-M

I'd be more concerned about the car itself rather than the dealer!

sillysmiles

Limerick man wrote: »

I'd be more concerned about the car itself rather than the dealer!

But surely the car is a representation of the dealer and the quality of his work and his reputation?

sillysmiles

Anan1, thanks for the link - I have read that. However, that doesn't really answer the question I was asking. But cheers for the link.

martyc5674

sillysmiles wrote: »

Limerick man wrote: »

I'd be more concerned about the car itself rather than the dealer!

But surely the car is a representation of the dealer and the quality of his work and his reputation?

No... The car is a representation of the manufacturers work and how it stood up to it's previous owners abuse.
The dealer is a shopkeeper.

AltAccount

Tell us what make/model you're interested in and we'll tell you which one we'd go to look at.

Anan1

sillysmiles wrote: »

But surely the car is a representation of the dealer and the quality of his work and his reputation?

Nope, the car is a representation of the previous owner and the mechanics who serviced it. This is why Limerick Man's thread is so useful. Don't ever trust in the goodwill of a dealer - if it's not down in the warranty document then it's not covered. Re clocking/major faults - read through the service history thoroughly and call every garage who stamped the book to verify that the work was actually done. Run a comprehensive history check, and have a mechanic you trust give the car a once over - all this before handing over any money.

sillysmiles

I think the specific car I was looking at is gone.
The question was inspired because I took the a day off work during the week and looked at a few cars - (specifically Focus - 1.8 diesel, 2008-2009) and one of the garage that had a few of these cars. When I walked into the garage I just had an instinctive gut reaction against the garage, the salesman ...the whole set up just screamed dodgy. Regular small garage on a main street in a village in Dublin.

freestyla

martyc5674 wrote: »

No... The car is a representation of the manufacturers work and how it stood up to it's previous owners abuse.
The dealer is a shopkeeper.

and shopkeeper should concentrate on customer service which means that he should know what is he selling, not playing stupid or simply speaking bull**** just to sell it as fast as possible.. and not masking faults with cheap stuff which is falling off after few days of driving

How many people is out there who simply don't have technical skills for checking used cars? you have to trust shopkeeper and you should get warranty!

so yes it's partly important who you are buying from.

I think everywhere in EU you have 14 days to complain about ANY products or services you receive but in Ireland, Dublin at least, you mostly get typical F**** off aaand he keeps your deposit!

sillysmiles

How many people is out there who simply don't have technical skills for checking used cars?

Exactly. this is not my area of expertise. I don't expect other people to be able to walk in off the street and do my job, it is not reasonable to expect everyone to be an expert in everything.

September1

So did anyone had ever situation where they got crappy car, followed by a stellar performance from dealership? It is easy to be happy if car is in good shape, other thing when car is lemon. So has anyone ever used dealer's warranty multiple times and finally garage without any suggestion from you would offer refund ? Has anyone been called and told that they found out that car they sold was crashed, they apologize and offer refund or a discount?

chewed

While on the subject...is there a list or site of reputable car dealers in Northern Ireland?