Bought a car and its shagged.... How should I proceed? Help

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 14:49

Hey all,

So I have been on the hunt for a BMW Z4 35is for a few months now, many of you will have seen my posts here. I always take my time looking for cherished examples with good specification. I found a lovely car at a near by garage (which has very good reviews) a few days ago, I called in, got further information, looked at their pictures and it looked good.

The car is a 2013 Alpine White BMW Z4 35is, with just 1 owner, 21k miles on the clock and full BMW service history. It has a contrasting coral red interior and lots of extras! The car has come from Africa, with the same 1 owner who moved to the UK. Great I thought, so I went down to the garage which has many positive reviews with the intent to see the car. Unfortunately it was raining and it was dark. I had a a look around the car as best I could with out getting drenched by the rain and it looked good to go.

So I agreed to purchase the car, £20,500 for a mint 35is. During the sale I got told how they only cherry pick the very best cars which inspired confidence given the spec of the car.

Fast forward to 1 day later, it is day time, I have had the car cleaned and I am now noticing issues all over the car, every time I look at it I seem to find something new. I have compiled a quick list of these below.

Issues Noticed:
Front Passenger headlight condensation (Mentioned this one, and he played it off as its an older car)
Exhaust tip corroded and deformed on one side of the car
Side skirt driver side scraped around half way up 2 inches long, deep black mark
Side skirt driver side scraped lower underneath the car, can see the paint hanging off when viewing
Side skirt passenger side scraped also underneath / the side and can see the paint hanging off
Undertray damaged / snapped
Front bumper scraped at the very bottom / underside with more paint hanging off visible
Passenger side glass has scratches all over it
White substance spilt all over the car behind the drivers seat
Scratch marks along the driver side door spanning around 20cm
Both mirrors scratched and marked
Front quarter panel scratched driver side and passenger side
Driver M Sport Entry Panel Loose
The wind deflector is missing???
Glovebox mechanism faulty, does not open properly
TPMS Sensor has shown as "error" on the Idrive twice but gone away

Images:
Album Here

Now my saving grace here I hope is that I purchased the majority of this car via finance, I believe that gives me more power in terms of the direction that this goes.

I am torn here, the car is really nice to drive, and has a beautiful interior, and I really want to keep it. But all these issues above, I am very wary of what to do. I know the garage will offer to "repair" the car, I am guessing they will just try and do this on the cheap and just "touch it in. Should I consider rejecting the car?

I have spoken to the garage that sold the car to me, and have informed him I will be coming in today as I am very unhappy with the condition of the car.

All advice appreciated, what should I do here guys?

Thanks all

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UPDATES BELOW
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Further Clarification On The Car Being An Import
I was not told the car was an import from Africa.
I was then told the car had the same owner all its life
I was then told that it was exported from the UK to Africa, then brought back

Reality: It was exported from Africa and the garage is chatting ****

Further Clarification Why I Bought The Car With Out Further Inspection
The car specification was excellent, the mileage nice and low, listed as just 1 owner and relatively recent. Additionally the car had full BMW SH and had full aftermarket paint protection and covers applied which led me to believe the car had been looked after. Additionally the garage is very reputable, specialises in prestige sports cars and I can not find a negative review about them anywhere online. Never have I received a car in such bad condition, and never would I have predicted the car being in such a state. I am away as of Friday, so I wanted to get the deal done, before I head off, thus why I trusted the reputable garages employee when he said to quote on quote "the car is mint, we are very selective about the cars we choose, we won't buy just anything". Safe to say I was appalled when I looked at the condition of the car the next day.

Garage Dealer Update
I have been back down to the dealer and handed him to keys to the car, I have listed all the issues and he agrees the car should not have been in that state. He as offered to fix all faults on the car apart from the condensation in the light as he states this is due to the weather. His excuse was "the prep had not been done on the car it was due on Friday." So they knew the car was in this condition? What happened to being selective over the cars they buy! I have not yet given feedback on this.

I also asked him why I was not informed the car was from Africa, I was not informed of this during the sale, he said the car was from the UK and taken to Africa and then brought back despite the order from showing it was made in Africa.... sigh.
Additionally he was telling me that BMW's official extended warranty is crap and I should buy a warranty he recommends instead. He does not strike me as a honest character. I am appalled by this garage to say the very least.
I do not understand how this place has such great reviews all over many sites!

Begbie · 6 Feb 2019 at 14:55

Have you already bought it?

I wouldn't buy it, it's a lot of money for something that has too many issues.

Far too many cosmetic issues that should've been sorted before the sale, unless it's proper cheap.

Edit, just seen the pics. No way would I be buying that!

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 14:56

Begbie said:
Have you already bought it?

I wouldn't buy it, it's a lot of money for something that has too many issues.

Far too many cosmetic issues that should've been sorted before the sale, unless it's proper cheap.

I have already bought the car unfortunately.

Begbie · 6 Feb 2019 at 14:58

AlphaMale1 said:
I have already bought the car unfortunately.

I have no idea how this works, but surely you can refuse the sale at this stage. Bit crazy buying in the dark considering you always take your time. But it's done now. I'd look into cancelling the sale, if possible.

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 14:59

Begbie said:
I have no idea how this works, but surely you can refuse the sale at this stage. Bit crazy buying in the dark considering you always take your time. But it's done now. I'd look into cancelling the sale, if possible.

Thanks for the advice, it was sold from a reputable garage and had good specs on paper with just 1 owner, full dealer service, paint protection applied etc, and from what I could see in the dark it looked fine. Lesson learned to always buy in the day time for sure.

How does rejecting the car work?

Semple · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:05

Are you sure this isn't buyers remorse? It's a 6 year old car, of course there's going to be some scratches here and there, you'll struggle to find a car of that age that doesn't.

Are they deep scratches or surface scratches, if the latter see if the garage will have a car detailer run over it as best as he could.

Cars do pick up many more scratches/dings/chips at the lowest point of the car where you'll struggle to look without getting on your hands and knees. I was quite shocked when i bought my car from eye view looking around the panels etc and how good condition etc, but then having it put up on a ramp a couple of weeks later and having all of that at eye view makes you realise how many scratches can get to the bottom sides of the car.

200sols · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:06

Worlds fail me, how could you drop £20k on a car and not even look it over properly?

Unless its got a serious mechanical fault rejecting the car will not be easy. Not sure why you think purchasing with finance gives you any extra powers, you looked over the car and agreed to buy it.

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:06

Semple said:
Are you sure this isn't buyers remorse? It's a 6 year old car, of course there's going to be some scratches here and there, you'll struggle to find a car of that age that doesn't.

Are they deep scratches or surface scratches, if the latter see if the garage will have a car detailer run over it as best as he could.

Cars do pick up many more scratches/dings/chips at the lowest point of the car where you'll struggle to look without getting on your hands and knees. I was quite shocked when i bought my car from eye view looking around the panels etc and how good condition etc, but then having it put up on a ramp a couple of weeks later and having all of that at eye view makes you realise how many scratches can get to the bottom sides of the car.

No buyers remorse at all, I love the car. Have you looked at the image album linked in the OP? I have had older cars in far better condition.

200sols said:
Worlds fail me, how could you drop £20k on a car and not even look it over properly?

Unless its got a serious mechanical fault rejecting the car will not be easy. Not sure why you think purchasing with finance gives you any extra powers, you looked over the car and agreed to buy it.

The images on the advertisement site looked fine, the history and ownership of the car looked good, it seemed like a cared for example. The interior cosmetically looked fine went I sat inside. I work during the day so viewed it in the evening. I am away at the weekend otherwise I would have gone then during the day.

Martynt74 · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:07

I'm a little confused, surely if finance was used you went to look at night and then had to go back at a later point to collect. Did you not notice these things then?

I'm not really sure where you stand legally, given that you had plenty opportunity to see these things at purchase time. Not sure you can reject as not fit for purchase.

Begbie · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:12

Marvt74 said:
I'm a little confused, surely if finance was used you went to look at night and then had to go back at a later point to collect. Did you not notice these things then?

I'm not really sure where you stand legally, given that you had plenty opportunity to see these things at purchase time. Not sure you can reject as not fit for purchase.

I had assumed it was still at the garage. I've not bought a car in (from a dealer) in about 8 years, but normally you don't go into a garage pay and drive out that night. But I think this is whats happened?

Drollic · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:12

For 5 years old and a regular car, I certainly wouldn't describe it as shagged and some minor imperfections are to be expected. The exhaust tip and light issue is unacceptable though to me as are the white marks on the interior which appear to be some kind of surface mould, likely very easy to address. The paint blemishes could easily be sorted for a couple of hundred at chipsaway or the like and you wouldn't ever know they existed. If the history of the car is good, it's well serviced and it drives well I'd be inclined to get the issues fixed. If your picky like me, you'll never find a car in the right spec at 5 years old that is nearly perfect unless you're incredibly lucky. Even then, the price can be an issue. Sometimes your best knowing what's wrong and addressing the issues properly yourself by negotiating on price.

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:14

Drollic said:
For 5 years old and a regular car, I certainly wouldn't describe it as shagged and some minor imperfections are to be expected. The exhaust tip and light issue is unacceptable though to me as are the white marks on the interior which appear to be some kind of surface mould, likely very easy to address. The paint blemishes could easily be sorted for a couple of hundred at chipsaway or the like and you wouldn't ever know they existed. If the history of the car is good, it's well serviced and it drives well I'd be inclined to get the issues fixed. If your picky like me, you'll never find a car in the right spec at 5 years old that is nearly perfect unless you're incredibly lucky.

Thanks for the response, I guess compared to the condition I expected it is "shagged". I am sure the garage will work through this with me, I was just concerned that perhaps there were too many issues. If these can be easily addressed then fantastic. I will be heading to the garage soon so will have to see what resolution we can reach.

Semple · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:16

AlphaMale1 said:
No buyers remorse at all, I love the car. Have you looked at the image album linked in the OP? I have had older cars in far better condition.

The images on the advertisement site looked fine, the history and ownership of the car looked good, it seemed like a cared for example. The interior cosmetically looked fine went I sat inside. I work during the day so viewed it in the evening. I am away at the weekend otherwise I would have gone then during the day.

This one looks particularly bad https://i.imgur.com/f1XehdO.jpg where is it located? can't quite make out from your further back photos.

Can you not see those at all in the advert photos? It looks like the cars bottomed out going over bumps, or they've been parking up on a kerb.

Have you spoken with the dealer yet to express your concern? I don't think you'll have much luck on some of the smaller dents/dings, so i'd be arguing about the ones that run along the under side of the front bumper.

Martynt74 · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:17

Begbie said:
I had assumed it was still at the garage. I've not bought a car in (from a dealer) in about 8 years, but normally you don't go into a garage pay and drive out that night. But I think this is whats happened?

Yeah I’d expect that too. But then it seems like he’s been driving around in it.

Dup · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:17

For the age and miles it sounds unacceptable to me given the money involved. It's not just that there are issues, it's the reason as to why things are like that in the first place. Sounds as ropey as my car and that's got 153k and is 11 years old. Also seems odd it's come from Africa too, I'd not trust it's history given the condition.

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:18

Semple said:
This one looks particularly bad https://i.imgur.com/f1XehdO.jpg where is it located? can't quite make out from your further back photos.
Can you not see those at all in the advert photos? It looks like the cars bottomed out going over bumps, or they've been parking up on a kerb.
Have you spoken with the dealer yet to express your concern? I don't think you'll have much luck on some of the smaller dents/dings, so i'd be arguing about the ones that run along the under side of the front bumper.

That one is on the bottom of the side skirt, it is on the driver side skirt which is not in the gallery.
The dealer seems amicable, and I will be seeing him today regarding these issues.

Dominic-Toretto · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:19

Marvt74 said:
Yeah I’d expect that too. But then it seems like he’s been driving around in it.

I have been to the dealer, and taken the car the same day, correct

Drollic · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:21

AlphaMale1 said:
Thanks for the response, I guess compared to the condition I expected it is "shagged". I am sure the garage will work through this with me, I was just concerned that perhaps there were too many issues. If these can be easily addressed then fantastic. I will be heading to the garage soon so will have to see what resolution we can reach.

A lot of the issues are easily and cheaply resolved is the main point. I've used various bodyshops for various work over a period of years on different cars as I'm sure others here have, and can honestly say those body work blemishes would be very easy to address. It's where you draw the line with what is acceptable and what isn't. For instance to me, the snapped undertray is again unacceptable, however a very minor scuff to a lower bumper you can barely see on what is a fairly low car ride height wise is to be expected given our roads and the fact it's 5 years old.

acemastr · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:22

You accepted the car as it was at the time of sale, you can't now expect them to take it back because you've decided you aren't happy with the once over you gave it.
These are all pretty obvious issues, so it's your fault for not taking the time to notice them.

bazzabear · 6 Feb 2019 at 15:29

I might be wrong, but those marks on the mirror actually appear to be on a clear plastic scratch guard designed to protect the paintwork. So it can probably just be peeled off (with heat applied?) to reveal perfect paintwork beneath.