Buying Advice

[Hilly81]

17 minutes ago, DoDaniel said:

Whilst the spec on that one is much better, the millage is very high on that car for a MY 2019. Plus, checking the MOT history, it appears to have some pending suspension and brake issues on the horizon. Unless the seller can confirm they have resolved those issues and provide paperwork stating so, might be worth giving it a miss in my opinion.

Yes, I did spot that. I might drop them an email to see if anything has been done.

[cnc]

8 hours ago, Hilly81 said:

You see, now I'm torn. It's all agreed for collecting for me to collect the Octavia from Cazoo this Saturday. But I have just found this. Almost exactly the same age, Not too far away so I can go and actually have a look. A shed load of extras over the other car! 19s. Reverse Camera. Winter Pack. Canton. ACC. Etc, Etc.... I actually like the white as well. It's over a grand cheaper. 77k miles though which is nearly double the other car. I have no real idea on the longevity of the EA888 engine. I guess it will boil down to history and if the diff/brake fluid etc has been done as well. Thoughts?

 

Edit: Apologies, I should probably go with this in the Octavia section!

I wouldn't worry too much about the mileage depending on how many miles you will put on it, for example if you only do 5k/year the average mileage will come down so go for it, but if you do 20k/year it may be better leave this one. It does have a very good specification, think carefully before committing, go and take a look at it, it probably won't be for sale for very long with that specification.

[Hilly81]

Picked up the red Octavia 245 from Cazoo today. Really pleased. Cazoo were pretty good. No hassle. In and out pretty quickly and the fact they gave me £250 more for my car in PX than I paid for it 3.5 years ago, I kind of feel like I mugged them. 
 

Gripes. No physical history. Only note of 1 service online with Skoda. It was serviced in Jan according to the old owner and Cazoo but no evidence. No idea if brake fluid and diff have been done so will be done asap. 
 

The car itself is great. Feels way more grown up than my Leon and is obviously much quicker. Handles really well. Loads of space for the kids. Looks fantastic in red with black details. 
 

Some minor annoyances, no electric folding mirrors when locked, no USB’s in the back, I really miss auto handbrake, all of which I had in the Leon. 
 

And I left my driving license in Cazoo Manchester. FFS. 
 

Getting it inspected at a local VAG specialist on Tuesday but initial signs are it’s a good buy. 

[dunc69]

@Hilly81 good luck with the Octavia.  Great cars. Perfect nippy family wagon!

 

[Hilly81]

19 minutes ago, dunc69 said:

@Hilly81 good luck with the Octavia.  Great cars. Perfect nippy family wagon!

 

Thanks! I really like the car. It is going in for it's new car inspection today so will see if that brings anything up.

 

Unfortunately, a saga is already developing with Cazoo which will be worth an update on here at some point. 🤬

[DoDaniel]

Nice one, hope you enjoy the car mate! Fingers crossed nothing sinister rears its head on the inspection. Do let us know if they find anything and get written copies so you can go back to Cazoo if need be.

 

1 minute ago, Hilly81 said:

Unfortunately, a saga is already developing with Cazoo which will be worth an update on here at some point. 🤬

Hopefully nothing to serious, but would be curious.

[Hilly81]

4 hours ago, DoDaniel said:

Nice one, hope you enjoy the car mate! Fingers crossed nothing sinister rears its head on the inspection. Do let us know if they find anything and get written copies so you can go back to Cazoo if need be.

 

Hopefully nothing to serious, but would be curious.

Tyre gel out of date 02/23
Small cut offside front tyre sidewall (no cords)
Nearside front tyre been repaired still leaking from repair 
Drivers one touch on window side not working

 

Not the end of the world stuff. Guy at the garage said overall it is a solid car in decent condition which is a relief. 

 

I'll see what happens with Cazoo. Basically, the service history was not accurate and they potentially tried to cover it up. It hasn't been serviced since 2/2022. Their 300 point check (😂) also didn't pick up the issues mentioned above as well as a pollen filter that resembled a potato field and an Air Filter not much better. The quest begins to get these things sorted. If they are belligerent over the next couple of days, I could still be tempted to reject the car which would be disappointing. The history also brings in to question whether me taking out an 'All In' package with Skoda will be viable. Nothing is ever simple....

[dunc69]

Stand your ground on these issues.  Cazoo need to put them right (or pay for you to do so).  End of. 

[dunc69]

PS, good luck sorting it!

 

I have never bought a car, new or used, that didn’t need something fettling / sorting out.  
 

But, the selling dealer needs to stand up and honour their responsibilities.  
 

I’d want two front tyres as a minimum.  

[Hilly81]

2 hours ago, dunc69 said:

PS, good luck sorting it!

 

I have never bought a car, new or used, that didn’t need something fettling / sorting out.  
 

But, the selling dealer needs to stand up and honour their responsibilities.  
 

I’d want two front tyres as a minimum.  

I won’t accept anything less than 2 front tyres and an interim service. I’ll push for brake fluid and Diff oil as well as fresh filters. Updates to follow!

[DoDaniel]

Just to give you a heads up, they will most likely get you to use their "partner garages" for getting the work done. These are typically any Halfords Auto Centre, or Kwikfit branch. I had to fight to get my battery replaced and coded properly at the Skoda dealer.

 

But do push them! If you need them to authorise work, email them the details and proof/invoice and then call them immediately after to push it through. As mentioned before, if you are getting nowhere with their 1st line support, ask to speak to the service desk manager. Ring them early in the day as well so you can call back later in the day and chase. Bit hard to do when you ring them at 12/1PM and then chase again a couple hours later.

 

Keep us posted!

[DoDaniel]

Also, their 300 point check/reconditioning claim is a joke.

 

But once you get the car sorted, it will be a fine machine! Just a hurdle to overcome.

[Hilly81]

56 minutes ago, DoDaniel said:

Just to give you a heads up, they will most likely get you to use their "partner garages" for getting the work done. These are typically any Halfords Auto Centre, or Kwikfit branch. I had to fight to get my battery replaced and coded properly at the Skoda dealer.

 

But do push them! If you need them to authorise work, email them the details and proof/invoice and then call them immediately after to push it through. As mentioned before, if you are getting nowhere with their 1st line support, ask to speak to the service desk manager. Ring them early in the day as well so you can call back later in the day and chase. Bit hard to do when you ring them at 12/1PM and then chase again a couple hours later.

 

Keep us posted!

I certainly will keep you posted! Thanks

[Gammyleg]

23 hours ago, Hilly81 said:

Tyre gel out of date 02/23

First thing I'd do is ditch the gel and buy a spare wheel. Looking a the endless stream of carcasses minus their sidewalls alongside the motorway, a tin of gel won't be getting you anywhere.

[Hilly81]

6 hours ago, Gammyleg said:

First thing I'd do is ditch the gel and buy a spare wheel. Looking a the endless stream of carcasses minus their sidewalls alongside the motorway, a tin of gel won't be getting you anywhere.

A spare is definitely top of the list already. 

[Hilly81]

This is turning into a very unpleasant experience with Cazoo. Nobody will answer the phone. My emails have not been responded to for 3 days and the online chat operators offer nothing but assurances that someone will get back to me as soon as they can (Spoiler, they don't get back to you as soon as they can). I'm really tempted to reject the car but fully aware that that could also turn into a complete nightmare as well and that is without thinking about how we would cope with only one car while I source a replacement. Plus I really like it! 

 

Stress levels currently through the roof which I could really do without. 😢

[DoDaniel]

This is the same issue I had with them. I know you probably already have been on the phone with them today, but I would call them again and ask for the service desk manager and do not take no for an answer.

 

Maybe quote this person:

Elkanah
Senior Customer Support Specialist

 

He was the one that got everything sorted for me after I finally spoke to someone senior. Quote his name, maybe it will progress it faster.

[Ootohere]

With Arnold Clark Trustpilot reviews get their attention will seniors attention.

 

Social Media / Forums etc can draw their attention.   But for now just use your consumer rights.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/507133-cazoo-bother

 

[Hilly81]

3 hours ago, DoDaniel said:

This is the same issue I had with them. I know you probably already have been on the phone with them today, but I would call them again and ask for the service desk manager and do not take no for an answer.

 

Maybe quote this person:

Elkanah
Senior Customer Support Specialist

 

He was the one that got everything sorted for me after I finally spoke to someone senior. Quote his name, maybe it will progress it faster.

I managed to find the Customer Experience Director email address and emailed her earlier. Got a reasonably quick response from a Customer Advocacy Specialist, whatever one of those is. They are trying to say the service wasn't due as it was serviced at 30k so not due for another 20k. I do not think so.... Lets see how this goes.

[dunc69]

7 hours ago, Hilly81 said:

I managed to find the Customer Experience Director email address and emailed her earlier. Got a reasonably quick response from a Customer Advocacy Specialist, whatever one of those is. They are trying to say the service wasn't due as it was serviced at 30k so not due for another 20k. I do not think so.... Lets see how this goes.

Fook, good luck getting this sorted. 
 

It’s threads like these that will be available online for years that do companies like Cazoo no favours at all! 
 

Thoughts with you!  💪🏼

[Hilly81]

On 06/05/2023 at 00:05, dunc69 said:

Fook, good luck getting this sorted. 
 

It’s threads like these that will be available online for years that do companies like Cazoo no favours at all! 
 

Thoughts with you!  💪🏼

Some positive movement. Kate has been helpful. Tyres to be sorted by Kwikfit (🤢) tomorrow and we have reached an agreement to reimburse me for getting the servicing up to date. Oil, filter, Diff oil and brake fluid. I have already done the air and pollen filters. 
 

light at the end of the tunnel. 

[dunc69]

45 minutes ago, Hilly81 said:

Some positive movement. Kate has been helpful. Tyres to be sorted by Kwikfit (🤢) tomorrow and we have reached an agreement to reimburse me for getting the servicing up to date. Oil, filter, Diff oil and brake fluid. I have already done the air and pollen filters. 
 

light at the end of the tunnel. 

Good work Sir! 

[Hilly81]

3 hours ago, dunc69 said:

Good work Sir! 

Thanks! Hopefully all sorted soon and I can stop worrying and just get on with enjoying the car.

 

In other Cazoo news, my old car has appeared on their website Here and despite it having full online service history, a fully stamped service book and me providing a folder of every receipt for everything I ever had done, they are listing it as no service history. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[dunc69]

1 hour ago, Hilly81 said:

Thanks! Hopefully all sorted soon and I can stop worrying and just get on with enjoying the car.

 

In other Cazoo news, my old car has appeared on their website Here and despite it having full online service history, a fully stamped service book and me providing a folder of every receipt for everything I ever had done, they are listing it as no service history. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Muppets 

[Phoenixboy]

After buying and selling many cars within the past, including recently selling one to Cazoo (easy process), I'd always test drive the car first, look over it with a fine tooth comb, if you are not happy with it, walk away, there's plenty more out there. It's easier to get jobs done prior to buying a car, than afterwards. I bought my last Skoda online only, after driving a similar specked car from a different dealership within the same group. The car was good when I received it, but needed some bits & pieces doing to it, including some bodywork & servicing, after arguing on the phone & threatening to drive their car back to them for a full refund. The work was eventually done to an acceptable standard, but I had to take the car in to another dealership to have it done at my own time. When you pay top cash for a low mileage nearly new, used car you'd expect it to be of a decent standard, you can't pick up everything from photo's. I certainly wouldn't buy a car from Cazoo, as it's a failing company now. If you took out their extended warranty, they went bust, what then?

Generally with cars, like most things in life you pay for what you get & if it's cheap it's usually cheap for a reason. Within my experience a lot dealerships don't prepare their cars to decent standards prior to sale, so it's best to view them in person, first.