Anyone buying a Mini - please avoid this one

[Pamelab21]

Hoping I can stop someone making a mistake!
Hoping I am also allowed to name and shame
Churches Performance Cars in Washington, West Sussex
Pepper white Mini Cooper
reserved this car, paid deposit and travelled over 400 miles from Scotland to collect. Once we seen the car it was apparent there was issues.
Although it is high spec and nice looking car up close you can see that the passenger door does not line up, gap at window and tubber seal, there is overspray apparent on the sills on the passenger door, paintwork on door slightly rippled. The pillars at the front windscreen are badly cracked (he claimed we could get this fixed under warranty I don't think the BMW garage would be that thick!). The car had only covered 4000 miles in just inder two years, evidence of moss on windows and inside the car, poss sat somewhere awaiting repairs?
Tried to call the prev owner on the V but their no was x directory. Dealer claims he bought the car as a trade in from a local Subaru garage.
I can now see from his website that the car is now reserved again. I hope someone reads this.

I have now bought a Black Cooper S from a reputable local dealer and should collect this tomorrow.

[matt1985]

Hope you managed to get your deposit back. Based on the fact that the car was mis-represented. Or at least the deposit wasnt too hefty.

But if you didnt get it back surely trading standards will have something to say!

[louisthethird]

I work only 2 miles from this place. I'm going to have a look tomorrow at lunchtime!

Always buy 'cherished' - life is too darn short!!!

[Pamelab21]

we thought we were in for an arguement about getting our £200.00 deposit back but I did pay it on Mastercard to ensure I had some fall back, he paid me back the deposit by cheque hence why I had to let it clear before I could say too much. He really couldn't argue too much as we pointed out all these faults that he did not disclose over the phone so he could not say much really, just that he did not notice them. Yeah right
Please if going to see that car do not mention anything about me as I am a bit scared that he has my credit card details

[jonnywhite]

Did you make a note of the REG?

[londonmark]

Why on earth would you pay a deposit on a used car that you hadn't seen, that seems crazy. You know, there's a 100 & 1 things that could be wrong, if not more!!! I think you're lucky that the dealer was decent enough to return your deposit.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by londonmark (original)

Why on earth would you pay a deposit on a used car that you hadn't seen, that seems crazy.

Simple really, to stop them selling it to anybody else. It happens all the time, and is common practice to have it refunded once it has been viewed if you're not happy with it.

[118]

glad you got your deposit back - that's just up the road from me

[Pamelab21]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Simple really, to stop them selling it to anybody else. It happens all the time, and is common practice to have it refunded once it has been viewed if you're not happy with it.

Exactly. It was paid so that he held the car subject to us seeing it and being happy with it. It was made clear that we would get a refund should we be unhappy with it for any reason. He did assure us that we would not be unhappy with the car! Yeah right!

[Pamelab21]

they alos have a website, although as I am new to the forum it will not allow me to post the link,
try churches performance cars . co . uk
without the spaces!

[londonmark]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Simple really, to stop them selling it to anybody else. It happens all the time, and is common practice to have it refunded once it has been viewed if you're not happy with it.

Paying a deposit to reserve a used car that you have seen, tried and tested is common practise, yes I agree, but unseen, no I don't agree

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by londonmark (original)

Paying a deposit to reserve a used car that you have seen, tried and tested is common practise, yes I agree, but unseen, no I don't agree

What do I know, I've only been selling the things for 10 years, but obviously I've been doing it all wrong.

Perhaps if every time somebody called me and said they were interested in viewing a car I should have just taken it off sale for them and hoped they actually arrived?

[Hartge220]

Glasgow to Sussex is a long way to travel to see a car, having back up was a good idea imo

[Pamelab21]

Quote: Originally Posted by londonmark (original)

Paying a deposit to reserve a used car that you have seen, tried and tested is common practise, yes I agree, but unseen, no I don't agree

I had seen plenty of photos of the car, none that showed the faults we spotted in the flesh though.
If the car is popular (as this car would be with all its extras) then yes I did want to pay a deposit to hold it. It was a full week before we could make the jouney from Glasgow. At the end of the day I have the deposit back now. I only posted this to hopefully stop anyone else doing the same as we did.

[*Vikki*]

thank god you didnt buy it, i see loads of second hand minis wrongly advertised in papers from normal non bmw garages mini ones with chilli packs etc there is a 53 plate MINT condition red/black MINI Cooper in my local Vicarys battle garage only done 5000 miles and under 10k with chilli pack etc