Well I put down £500 deposit a few weeks ago for a new vRS but due to my current car needing lots of repairs its looking like I will not be able to afford it at least until another year.

Do you know if this can be claimed back any way. On the terms at the back it says...

"If you fail to take and pay for the goods within 21 days of notification that the goods are avaliable for delivery, we may treat the contract as cancelled and keep any deposit paid by you"

The car is not due to arrive until middle of Feb/March time.

I think you'd be lucky if you do.

Well I put down £500 deposit a few weeks ago for a new vRS but due to my current car needing lots of repairs its looking like I will not be able to afford it at least until another year.

Do you know if this can be claimed back any way. On the terms at the back it says...

"If you fail to take and pay for the goods within 21 days of notification that the goods are avaliable for delivery, we may treat the contract as cancelled and keep any deposit paid by you"

The car is not due to arrive until middle of Feb/March time.

I think from a legal point of view the deposit can be retained AND any other losses be claimed from you. Although the latter in unlikely.

Personally, I'd consider that a deposit lost. Good job you only put down £500.

Are deposits legally binding ?? or is it a case of dealers saying they are

If you put the deposit on your CC you'll get it back

If you've entered into a contract and such are the terms, then of course you lose the deposit. There really wouldn't be much point in putting down a deposit if you weren't going to lose it would there? It's intended to ensure you don't pull out/offset the inconvenience/loss if you do! The sooner you speak to the dealer the greater the chance they will be willing to return it as good will though. Are you p/x-ing? Why worry about repairs - are they really essential?

Hmm I guess I will try and repair the car before the new car is due to arrive.

The problem I have is that I have a current loan on my current car. If I cannot sell my current vehicle to pay my loan off before the new car arrives then I will not be able to afford it.

Time to start learning how to fix cars I guess haha

Consider the deposit lost - and be happy that is all you have lost.

Placing a deposit is an intention to buy - it isn't a way of holding something while you decide if you're going to buy it.

Buy actually agreeing to buy the car you entered into a contract, there is actually nothing to stop the dealership insisting you continue with the purchase.

It's unlikely they will take that option - but the deposit will almost certainly be kept.

I put a £500 deposit on a used car one time and, after needing to give backword due to work issues I consulted with trading standards where I was told that the dealership were entitled to keep the deposit if I signed the paperwork on their premises and they can also bill you for other reasonable preparatory work done to the car, but you shouldn't have that problem.

Fortunately I merely lost the £500 which hurt at the time but was the better option.

i had an issue with an Alfa dealership that i had given £2200 worth of deposit too.

the order fell through and they tried to keep the money, i went down there offical complaints process then they said they had evidence they incurred £971 worth of costs. i pushed right through to almost contacting osbudmans and we settled it as i lost £500 and they rest got refunded.

A good dealership should only really keep the deposit based on the costs they have incurred on your part. you can ask for evidence of this.

new car purchases are different to used car purchases so it should be easier to get your money back.

ask them to show you what costs they have incurred and if it's less than £500 then ask for the remainder back OR try damn hard to get your current car fixed and save all those little pennies. no dessert after dinner. give up drinking alcohol for a few months etc etc.

save money and lose weight basically. then by being lighter you will get better acceleration in your car.