Straight talk & mechanical preparation - it’s easier doing the job right in the first place.
They ALL get used for a few miles (usually at least 50), I correct anything mechanically deficient (or sell those beyond hope clearly as such), reMOT about 90%, fuck off what I consider to be arseholes over the phone, I do not respond to texts, only sell to people who I consider acceptable customers, talk straight & deal straight. The fact I only shift about 100 per year obviously helps.
In the last 2.5 years I’ve put my hand in my pocket once (£50 & told the man to go to Trading Standards if he wasn’t happy - an old p/x Astra that he wanted new alternator money for but as I pointed out old cars have old parts). In that time I’ve probably had 2 or 3 other phone calls from chancers trying it on (usually on my bottom end stock) “cos my mechanic says xxxxxx” - a few questions soon catches out this scum at which point I tell them to jog on. However in that time I’ve lost count of the number of NEW clutches, tyres, calipers, batteries, wheel bearings, disc & pads I’ve renewed prior to sale so I guess my ALMOST hassle-free business model has its price.
I’ve cursed myself now, there’ll be a flood of whingers on Tuesday