Anyone bought a Ford Direct car before?

Hawkpie · 12 Mar 2006 at 15:32

Hello

Looking to get a nearly new Mondeo, so had a trip down to the local Ford dealer.

They didn't have any in stock, but told me that they could order me one in from Ford Direct.

Basically you pay £100 deposit, you choose a car from a list (no photos) and then they order it for you and then you say if you want it or not. However, the garage actually have to buy the car, so they are quite keen for you to say yes.

Now I am massively finicky about purchases, and really want to see the car before I commit to it. I have been assured by the sales person that the cars are very pristine, no scuffs on the alloys or bad dents.

Don't want them to buy the car, for me to see something minor and then reject it, when they don't think it's a bad issue.

Anyone bought one of these before?

pie

Firestar_3x · 12 Mar 2006 at 15:34

Tbh its a Mondeo they arn't hard to find for a good price, i would want to see and drive the car first.

Hawkpie · 12 Mar 2006 at 15:36

aye that's what I thought.

but the garages just keep a smallish stock about 10 mondeos, and most of those are diesels. (i want a petrol).

there are 2 large ford dealers near me and they both just harped on about ordering one in from FD.

SB118 · 12 Mar 2006 at 16:12

Why do you want a petrol? :confused:

Firestar_3x · 12 Mar 2006 at 16:13

Try a car supermarket, my dads been looking round arnold clark, they have some great deals on at the moment.

blueboy2001 · 12 Mar 2006 at 16:19

Ford direct cars are drawn from Ford's internal fleet or from a couple of the big hire companies. They then go to a reconditioning centre in Kent (IIRC) where they are checked over. If there is any significant marks or damage that is not very easily repaired they get sold off via other trade channels. The best cars have any minor marks touched up, they get a full mechanical check and a valet and are made available from the central stock.

For this reason they are generally as close to mint as you can get a used car. I know a couple of people who have had Ford Direct cars without seeing them and they have been spotless. The dealer won't actually "buy" the car until they sell it, so they shouldn't be too bothered if you find a fault with it and decide not to buy.

The only thing with them is they are not always cheap. I got my Mondeo ST TDCi from www.fow.co.uk at 6 months old with 7500 miles on the clock. A Ford Direct car of similar age but more miles was at least a £1400 more than I paid for mine. Shop around.

Hawkpie · 12 Mar 2006 at 16:47

SB118 said:
Why do you want a petrol?

because I do only about 8000 miles a year and the diesels are more expensive, so i wouldn't be able to justify the cost

[TW]Fox · 12 Mar 2006 at 17:43

If you only do 8000 miles a year be sure to get V6 one.

Also be careful with nearly new Mondeos at Ford dealers. Many of them are actually more expensive than you can buy brand new at a broker.

Hawkpie · 12 Mar 2006 at 22:36

[TW]Fox said:
If you only do 8000 miles a year be sure to get V6 one.

Also be careful with nearly new Mondeos at Ford dealers. Many of them are actually more expensive than you can buy brand new at a broker.

V6? i'd have to get a petrol tanker to follow me to the shops in case I run out of fuel

bit about the broker is interesting. anyone know any reputable ford brokers?