I bought a Fiat 500L, 63 plate and just over 50k miles so my expectations are level headed.
The seller was quick to negotiate a better price, agreed to a quick delivery some 60 miles away from me with a fresh new MOT, I have to say his responses were quick, polite and even had a tracker so I knew when he was going to arrive. Unfortunately, this was when the good experience ended
I noticed that although the seller initiated text messages, he would not answer any specific questions by them, this was always done by a phone call.
The car came with a lot of promise, as does all of his other adverts:
Cleaned inside and out, internal engine cleaner added to the oil, brake spray applied to callipers, discs and brakes, fuel system cleaner, forecourt valet using the finest products and a fresh service. The car was also advertised with three service history, the car had none.
On arrival the car was filthy inside and out, tried to tell me that it was due to driving here. It was covered in cobwebs. Minor issue really, especially with the speed of delivery.
He showed me the paperwork and there was no service history at all, he tried to push MOT receipts in front of me and took them back when challenged, the best was receipt for oil... this is not a full service.
The rear windscreen washer did not work, on arrival said he would pay for the repair – again minor issue but I noticed the next day when trying to use the washer the fluid was pouring out from behind the front wheel arch.
I agreed to take the car and have a mechanical minded son has since had a look at the car, mechanically it is a good car. However, it has been in an accident that was not disclosed and certainly has not had any service within the last couple of years, all of the filters were filthy.
I contacted the seller again and I received what I would describe as a 40-minute ranting phone call from him. All I wanted was for him to pay for the service items as the advert promised it had. He was rude, name calling, overtalked and raised voice was the lowest tone he had.
He called me a boy racer! With what I had been doing with the car, now I am a middle aged professional and the car is for my wife whose disabilities prohibit her from driving a manual car. On top of that a 500L is far from a boy racer car, kind of laughable.
I asked for a Halfords Service or even stated if he bought the parts I would service myself. Flat refusal.
I asked about the 12 day money back guarantee, he actually demanded the car back!. However would come with a delivery charge, collection charge, mileage charge, change of ownership charge, warranty charge, his mechanic to look at it (probably charged) … he stated it was a money back guarantee with T&C’s, these were not disclosed. Despite numerous times asking what the charges where he refused to tell me sounded like I would owe him money to take the car back.
It is a shame; the car is ok. It has faults but it is a ten-year-old car. But the seller is a blatant liar and argumentative, loud responses would scare off the faint hearted. He had no need to lie about the car based on the age, just say it how it is.
I would not buy from the seller again, untrustworthy and its possible he did an oil change, but I have forked out for a full service myself just to make sure the car is safe for my wife and child.
If buying from him beware – car probably good, just get him to confirm in writing and do and do a simple check on the air filter before you part with your money.