Now in a position to replace my Octavia (likely with a superb) but most of the cars I am interested in are many miles away.  I understand that most dealers are willing to deliver and that there are companies out there who inspect a used car before purchase.

Q1. Has anyone used one of these companies and bought a car without actually seeing in the flesh?

Q2. If the finance has a limited mileage attached, how does this work if you pay off the finance?  Are you closing the finance deal therefore the limited mileage is not in effect?

 

I guess the first Q is the most important.  Yes, if I do this I will give the car a once over on delivery as there will be consumer rights on what you expect to receive etc. etc.

Honestly you shouldn't make a big purchase without seeing and driving.

 

Now we did late last year put a deposit on a car without having seen it. But we knew exactly what we wanted (the JCW countryman) and there were very few in the UK at that time. Also this was an ex-demo car with very low miles and a verbal guarantee that the car was mint inside and out (it was)

We still drove it before signing.

 

any other used car, I just think it's too much of a  risk.

this was my expectation.  just wanted check as there ar a few guides on buying like this but beyond the legal bit there is little describing how the handover bit works with being able to reject if not right.

I've bought unseen before, but only Skoda approved from a main dealer, I would never do it with an independent or private seller though. 

Sadly 'Skoda Approved' counts for very little these days & not always worth the premium prices.  It is still 'buyer beware'.

A FMDSH with a 'Approved Skoda' does not mean Serviced to the Manufacturers Schedule or Guidelines.

This means that the likes of DSG / Haldex Servicing or brake fluid changes might not have been carried out.

 

Skoda UK Customer Services are not really interested in what their Approved Dealerships do if they sell a 'Approved Used Skoda' with issues.

1 hour ago, e-Roottoot said:

Sadly 'Skoda Approved' counts for very little these days & not always worth the premium prices.  It is still 'buyer beware'.

A FMDSH with a 'Approved Skoda' does not mean Serviced to the Manufacturers Schedule or Guidelines.

This means that the likes of DSG / Haldex Servicing or brake fluid changes might not have been carried out.

 

Skoda UK Customer Services are not really interested in what their Approved Dealerships do if they sell a 'Approved Used Skoda' with issues.

 

It gives you a leg to stand on if the car doesn't meet your expectations when you go to pick it up. Also tbf I'd also only do it if it was still under manufacturer warrenty. 

They put 1 year warranty on vehicles that if you just bought a warranty for it it could be rejected because the car was no Serviced to the manufacturers guidelines.

There are members that have posted about collecting cars and finding issues that they were told would be rectified and they take the car and find more like accident damage and poor repairs and still have to fight for the right to party.

Absolutely agree re. service history.  I dont want to hear 'it's got all the service records sir'.  Just because you have a record of it doesnt mean its correct.

 

Thanks all.  I'll be looking more local then.  As always some great advice.