Buyer Beware - Dodgy Warranties & Dealers!
My Review starts with having been ripped off by Ageas & the Co-op 'White Collar Criminal' Car Insurance Industry whereby I'd been ripped off over a 'No Fault' Claim which was now going to cost me approx 30% of my vehicle cost just to get back on the road again! What a complete SCAM that is!
My relationship started well with Cheltenham Auto Village and the Salesman was very sympathetic. And having been given all the Assurances I needed of the Replacement Vehicle ticking most of the boxes including the oversold 'Peace of Mind' Warranty, I made the purchase for a replacement vehicle and even sent him some homemade Cake as a Thank You!
But as Bad Luck had it, the Power Steering failed after about 5 months (vehicle barely driven) and then my troubles started again! My Repair Garage got the usual fob off from what was now the 'not worth the paper its written on' AutoProtect Warranty as it seems 'anything' on a 2nd hand vehicle is automatically put down to 'wear & tear'! And guess what, they want to have nothing to do with the Owner, only the Garage ... how convenient!
I challenged this with Cheltenham Auto as I had been assured the vehicle had gone through vigorous 'Checks' which clearly it hadn't as my Garage had also confirmed the Pipes were rotten even though the Pump had failed!
Albeit, I was trying to deal with this during 'Lockdown' which lets face it, has become the Biggest Excuse for companies to do 'bugger all' whilst most sit on their backsides enjoying Furlough at our Expense but of course, it took 'months' to resolve!
And by the way this franchised 'operation' is run by a silver tongued, Mr Paul Boyce. Yes, our very own, alive and kicking Fools & Horses, Boycie!
In the end I did get recompensed for a replacement Power Steering system but not without a Major Fight and a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness and the threats of Small Claims Court but I have to say 'Boycie' true to form, wasn't going to give anything away!
My Warning To Others ... Do Not buy Cars from Dealers (dodgy or otherwise) and have them persuade you the 'Included Warranty' is worth something as it is nothing but a SCAM! They earn a very good Commission out of flogging these 'fit for nothing' documents which, when you really check, covers nothing much at all.
Also, 'Included' does not mean 'Free' and you are still paying for this to the tune of +/- £500!
Be Smart ... Negotiate a Discount and arrange for an Independent like the AA to do a proper Vehicle Check and do not trust a Micky Mouse 2nd Hand Car Dealer to competently do this for you!
A Big Time, Lesson Learned!