From a young age I was quite a fan of Ford.

Had several one after the other, but bought a Scoob 14 years ago, then moved on to other makes.

 

Fast forward to 2014 and I've ordered a Fiesta ST-3.

Looked up a few internet brokers and got a similar price (few hundred pounds more) from my local dealer, which is fine as I do prefer to support local business if the pricing is not that much different.

 

Car was due first week of April.

Tax disc arrived in the post on the 3rd April, followed by the V5/log book on the 4th, showing it was registered on the 31st March.

 

Clearly they had decided to register it on the last day of March.

 

Called them, was told that's standard practice.

So I informed them I have bought the odd car and it certainly wasn't and that I believed they were doing it to meet a sales target.

 

Car didn't arrive the first week of April.

Car didn't arrive the week after either, was told on Thursday it'd be here today.

Car isnt arriving today now.  Seems it may be later this week, which with the bank holiday may run into next week.

 

Three weeks after the car was registered for a new purchase?

I think it's a bit off.

 

Not endearing me to Ford.

Shame really as it does look like a good car.

It's a great car and worth the delay but in terms of early registration, that's never been my experience when buying new Fords and I've had a few now (think they are generally class leading to drive but they don't seem to be liked much on here). The reason you state is right IMO - end of month/quarter target figures.

It's curious that they can produce the V5 and tax disc without the car.

Where are Fiesta ST's built?

It's curious that they can produce the V5 and tax disc without the car.

Where are Fiesta ST's built?

Cologne, Germany apparently.

Or near Mexico City.

It's curious that they can produce the V5 and tax disc without the car.

Where are Fiesta ST's built?

 

They get the VIN, assign a reg number and just register it by the looks of it.

Physical presence of a vehicle not required.

 

What I don't like is being mugged off and lied to.  "standard practice sir" my foot.

And that's the weakest aspect of Ford ownership... The dealers!

Cologne, Germany apparently.

Or near Mexico City.

Mexico build the North American five door model only. Production of the European version was Valencia, Spain and Cologne, Germany, now solely Cologne.

That's very naughty. We are not allowed to register a car until it is actually on site with us. Seems like they at least owe you some Tax. Might be worth asking for a demo car whilst you wait for yours as a bit of goodwill. Might speed them up. Also go over it very carefully when it arrives, as I might have some fresh paint,(hopefully not)

And that's the weakest aspect of Ford ownership... The dealers!

Yeh, sorry to hear of the op's woes but my experience of Ford dealers is very poor. I've only dealt with them for servicing, but the two separate ones I have used have been dishonest and unreliable and expensive.

I'm sure there are Ford customers with opposite experiences though so it's a case of trying a few as usual.

It's tarnished the brand for me though, and even though I have only had used Fords, I will be avoiding the dealers like the plague.

Hope that car turns up soon.

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Once you get the car check the VIN number of the V5 against the car itself.

What I don't like is being mugged off and lied to.  "standard practice sir" my foot.

I'd say that generally that was standard practise.

I can remember when I was looking at a small hatch (when I bought the fabia). I went to Ford and wanted to test drive the Focus. I was told I could but I'd have to pay a £500 deposit before they would let me have a test drive. "Really?" I said "Why" the response was "To make sure that you are going to buy sir". I was rather gobsmacked

 

Funny I walked out of the dealership and to date I've not set foot in a Ford dealership since (unless its a linked one with another marque).

 

I would agree its to hit their sales targets and I'm not sure if its something you can do anything about. Unless of the sales form it states April as the delivery date, but even so it's a bit late in the day.

We've got around seven dealers within a ten mile radius and there's only one I'd use if I had to but I've always just had a trusted friend service my Fords - my early ones used to go to the dealers and after a stand up argument with one of the techs, I swore I'd never take my cars to a Ford dealer for servicing work. Touch wood, they've been very reliable though and the drive is outstanding IMO. I'm probably a Ford man at heart to be honest as I still reckon the Mondeo is a very decent car to own/drive despite it being a very old platform now. Don't think you can beat the Ecoboost 1 litre Fiesta for cheap fun or the ST for outright hot hatch thrills.

We've got around seven dealers within a ten mile radius and there's only one I'd use if I had to but I've always just had a trusted friend service my Fords - my early ones used to go to the dealers and after a stand up argument with one of the techs, I swore I'd never take my cars to a Ford dealer for servicing work. Touch wood, they've been very reliable though and the drive is outstanding IMO. I'm probably a Ford man at heart to be honest as I still reckon the Mondeo is a very decent car to own/drive despite it being a very old platform now. Don't think you can beat the Ecoboost 1 litre Fiesta for cheap fun or the ST for outright hot hatch thrills.

The good thing about fords is that they can be serviced by all and sundry so there's a reasonable alternative to the horrible main dealers.

I thought my mk3 Mondeo was brilliant for what it was. Chose it over an Octavia at the time as the build quality felt much better to me and it proved me right, only giving up one coil pack and one abs sensor in 50k miles and 6 years driving.

Would always recommend the cars for great solid used buys, just not the main dealers.

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It's one thing them doing this, clearly to make a target - I don't think they can dispute this, seeing as they've registered and you don't yet have the vehicle!

 

But to try and fob you off is another thing entirely. I'd give Ford UK a ring, just to see what they say....

From a young age I was quite a fan of Ford.

Had several one after the other, but bought a Scoob 14 years ago, then moved on to other makes.

 

Fast forward to 2014 and I've ordered a Fiesta ST-3.

Looked up a few internet brokers and got a similar price (few hundred pounds more) from my local dealer, which is fine as I do prefer to support local business if the pricing is not that much different.

 

Car was due first week of April.

Tax disc arrived in the post on the 3rd April, followed by the V5/log book on the 4th, showing it was registered on the 31st March.

 

Clearly they had decided to register it on the last day of March.

 

Called them, was told that's standard practice.

So I informed them I have bought the odd car and it certainly wasn't and that I believed they were doing it to meet a sales target.

 

Car didn't arrive the first week of April.

Car didn't arrive the week after either, was told on Thursday it'd be here today.

Car isnt arriving today now.  Seems it may be later this week, which with the bank holiday may run into next week.

 

Three weeks after the car was registered for a new purchase?

I think it's a bit off.

 

Not endearing me to Ford.

Shame really as it does look like a good car.

It is a nice car, peeked at one in SMC near Gravesend last week, but we would never use your ( & our.....) local dealer on principle!

SWMBO did work for Ford for many years & she preferred to use John Grose even though they are in Ipswich.

I've never had any problems with Essex Ford (an Orion & 3 Mondeos,) nor Rates in Grays.

 

It's a pity that you aren't trading in a car, maybe that would give you a bargaining chip when you do collect the car.

 

No matter, you'll probably enjoy the driving even if the buying experience isn't up to scratch!  

The good thing about fords is that they can be serviced by all and sundry so there's a reasonable alternative to the horrible main dealers.

I thought my mk3 Mondeo was brilliant for what it was. Chose it over an Octavia at the time as the build quality felt much better to me and it proved me right, only giving up one coil pack and one abs sensor in 50k miles and 6 years driving.

Would always recommend the cars for great solid used buys, just not the main dealers.

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My Mk3 Mondeo has never been serviced by a Ford dealer, I've always bought Ford parts for it, (Ford Privilege discount prices.) but I use a trusted independant

business, who does the work properly. 

 

I still think it's a good car, nowhere as up to date as my Superb as regards all the electronic toys,but much nicer to steer, with great handling too.

I'm still not convinced that electric power steering is better than hydraulic, even in a Skoda..............

 

DC 

Sorry OT,

Bossfox how did you get on with the Ford Dealership over the Stripped Sump Plug thread on the Galaxy,

did they refund you for the cost of the new sump, or compensate you?

 

george

Hmmm, I wouldn't accept them registering the car that far in advance of them handing it over. There's a fairly significant financial impact having a car the wrong side of a new plate.

Hmmm, I wouldn't accept them registering the car that far in advance of them handing it over. There's a fairly significant financial impact having a car the wrong side of a new plate.

 

31st March was still a 14.

Sorry OT,

Bossfox how did you get on with the Ford Dealership over the Stripped Sump Plug thread on the Galaxy,

did they refund you for the cost of the new sump, or compensate you?

 

george

 

They denied all knowledge as they said it could only be due to someone else servicing it, even though the dealer in East London the issue was with was the only one that had serviced it from new... with every stamp in the book.

 

So I cancelled an order for some company vehicles.

£120k order lost due to them refusing a £300 part was damaged by them.  Top work chaps.

 

Now I am having issues with a different dealer...

31st March was still a 14.

Of course it was. Brain fade there

What a joke! Every dealer in the land will have targets to hit but to register a car without even asking the customer is taking the proverbial, nice cars though!

Yeh, sorry to hear of the op's woes but my experience of Ford dealers is very poor. I've only dealt with them for servicing, but the two separate ones I have used have been dishonest and unreliable and expensive.

I'm sure there are Ford customers with opposite experiences though so it's a case of trying a few as usual.

It's tarnished the brand for me though, and even though I have only had used Fords, I will be avoiding the dealers like the plague.

Hope that car turns up soon.

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Exactly the same experience.

As for the mk3 being good, you must have had better spec than the zetec I had. It was awful, drove and handled like a barge, and full of ovals to remind you that it's a Ford (incase you'd forgotten)

The mk4 was much better in edge guise, but again let down by the interior and those hideous blanking plates

Got to ask Boss, but are you young enough to drive a Fiesta ST?

 

According to HJ in Saturday's Telegraph, he says you just look silly in one unless you're under 40.