Phil H

Ok I think the figure of 4500 independents left is absolute TOSH, Whilst it's been quiet over the last 2 weeks I've been gathering a database of traceable non franchise independent dealers (website, dealership address, phone number, CCL details, email address's etc) Located within a 50 mile radius of rainford and I'm up to 1220 already and by no means finished. Collate this with the rest of the country and I think you may find as many as 30000 traceable independents are left if not more.

It's a trade sale so technically no recourse , however I'd get back in touch with them and explain your concerns, if they're a reputable dealer then I'm sure they'll listen and come to some arrangement (don't fall for the I'll make it up on the next one as this never happens) if not then unfortunately you've been shafted and you have to learn from it. Good luck.

Confused.com have launched a classified advert site called carfused.com, looks like it's initially aimed at comparing new car deals and listings from privates, will it work or just overcrowd the marketplace even more?

Ok, had a reply from the legal people and they say that using WBAC should be fine the only thing which goes against me is the fact that I also own the domain name we buy any car or van.com and I offered it for sale to them last year. Never got a definitive yes or no as to whether they wanted to buy it just a strange phone call from a withheld number asking me what my plans for developing the domain name where. When I told them I had no plans to develop it and that it was for sale if they wanted to buy it the conversation was ended abruptly by the caller. So I've decided to run with the WBAC and wait for any letter or phone call. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all of your advice

Haven't you heard of the saying "all buyers are liars" before?

The government could cut out all dodgy dealers and punters alike in one foul swoop by making it law that when selling a car a full engineers report was carried out prior to sale. We do this now in the form of a survey when buying a house.

just go through the motions as you never know it could be a small broker, but don't release it till the monies in your bank and can't be debited

I often wonder whether the same car would of made as much if it went through via a different vendor? I've watched some ukcg vans make more than lex and not in as good condition

I recently read a report that state's there are only 4500 independents left in the country, I thought that this figure was low as where I live on the Wirral the independents outnumber the franchise's about 3 to 1. Is this figure of 4500 correct or does anyone know the true amount left?

Just had a nice chat with the bca partner finance rep about the job in general and he commented about how his dealers who would normally have 40 cars on a stocking plan are now only having a couple as they refuse to pay the dear prices of stock from the block and he knows of at least half a dozen small independents who've been in the job a long time who have now decided to pack in as they just can't compete with being wedged between the big boys and the roadside sellers. Such a shame all that knowledge gathered over many years in the job now going to waste.

I know of a few big outfits who have an attitude when buying that they will keep bidding to get the stock just to make sure they have it to sell and not their competitors. I've watched poor condition vans make £1000 over book before now.

He's a van man, would stock anything from £1500 to £10000, used to see him at the block quite regularly until recently when he commented that they where making more money than he's got similar stuff on the pitch advertised for.

Just found out today that an opo of mine who's been in the job for years is closing down next week, really nice bloke would help anyone, but he says he just can't get the stock due to increased prices and ever decreasing margins. Sad day. How big do the big need to get and how much control on us small boys do they really need.

trade it your first blow is always the smallest

Similar thing happened to me last year james, customer came loved the van, test drove it agreed it drove well, agreed a price shook on it then he said I'll just go and get his wallet from his car to leave me a deposit. Off he went never to be seen again to this day.

One tyre kicker phone call all day at 10 o'clock last night, first question what's your best price, second question what are the tyres like. I politely reminded him what time it was and invited him to call back after 9 this morning. I've got a tenner on him being a no ring.

Quite often at bca manchester on sale days they do have vosa, dvla etc waiting but all that happens is legit people pass through and the undesirables leave the vehicles on site and pay the storage charges and come back another day for it.

The Seagulls have probably got him by now

Go for it James get GG as the official spokesman. I've got a set of domain names that you could use if you want it for your campaign "used car dealers you can trust"

How many miles a year do you do?

Very interesting Steve92 your budget has gone from £1500 cash and you own it outright, or renting one for £150 per month (paying back £5400 if it's a 3 year deal, £3600 if it's a 2), Now there's been reports this week of quite a lot of people in the market like you who are undecided just like you thinking "should I get a banger or new?" Would be really interested to hear why you're undecided, is it that you don't really get much for £1500 as used car values have rocketed in price? or just the feel good factor of treating yourself after scrimping and scraping for the last 7 years? IMHO The £150 per month one is probably very attractive to you as just think what you could do with the £1500 holiday, home improvements etc and it's only £150 PM but remember then at the end you have to either start the renting process again with a new one, pay off the lump sum, possibly with another loan or hand it back and get charged a fortune for any excess mileage or damage that has occurred, unless you buy a new one and excess charges will be waived. A PCP is designed to be for life not just one car.

All done no fine for me!

I got one too, tried logging in to submit it as it's due today, can't find it so a call to the helpline for me.

So what would happen if you sold a car, put a fresh 12 months mot on it but an advisory was noted that the outer skin on the exhaust was corroded, 3 weeks later the car comes back with a blowing exhaust caused by a tiny pin hole, could you argue that it was an existing fault that was declared to them or would they be entitled to a full refund as it was sold with that fault?

And of course lets not forget the I'll get my mechanic to come and have a look for me brigade, never to be seen again