At Redgate Lodge Motor Group, our reputation has been built on meticulous vehicle preparation, uncompromising standards, and long-term customer support. Every vehicle we retail undergoes a comprehensive and methodical preparation process carried out by our highly skilled technicians using top-quality parts and manufacturer-approved components wherever required.
We invest significantly behind the scenes in our state-of-the-art Preparation Centre, advanced diagnostic equipment, and robust quality-control systems to ensure that every car meets the exacting standards our customers expect. Our preparation process is not cosmetic, it is mechanical, structural and detail-focused, designed to ensure reliability, safety and presentation from day one.
The Preparation and Support Fee contributes towards:
• Multi-point mechanical inspection carried out by qualified technicians
• Use of high-quality replacement parts and components where required
• Full diagnostic health checks and software updates
• Professional bodywork preparation and cosmetic rectification
• Interior deep clean and sanitisation
• Pre-delivery road testing and final quality control sign-off
• Dedicated aftersales support infrastructure and customer care systems
As the largest independent used car dealers in the North East, we are proud to have received multiple national awards for customer service and aftercare. With over 7,000 five-star reviews, our customers consistently recognise the care, investment and attention to detail that sets Redgate Lodge apart.
Our Preparation and Support Fee is applied transparently and responsibly, ensuring that every vehicle we supply is prepared to a standard, not to a price.
We believe our customers deserve complete confidence, not compromise.
Our preparation goes way above all expectations
Daily Price Monitoring
We are committed to transparent, market-led pricing. Over 97% of our vehicles are advertised in line with Auto Trader’s independent “Good Price” or “Fair Price” indicators, and we review our prices daily to ensure they remain competitive.
Auto Trader’s pricing data is based on live market analysis including make, model, age, mileage, fuel type and factory options. However, it does not consider important value factors such as vehicle condition, colour, local availability, ownership history, service records, cosmetic enhancements or the level of preparation carried out prior to sale.
When comparing like-for-like vehicles, our prices are consistently competitive with, and often better than, large car supermarkets and main dealers.
Warranty
“Warranty not worth the paper it’s written on!”
Normally this is the case, but here at Redgate Lodge after 15 years of trading we have a long-standing business relationship with AutoProtect Group. Our management work closely with APG’s Business Development manager to review our customer’s needs and expectations. “So, we strongly believe our warranties are worth the paper they are written on and generally a lot more!”
In keeping with Treating Customer Fairly, our sales data shows the average customer ownership cycle is 2 years, hence why we offer all customers the opportunity to extend their warranty period from our complimentary return to base 3 months to 24 months with an enhanced Comprehensive parts coverage and National coverage. This allows us to offer the best level of coverage for the littlest price at time of purchase. Whilst we are always happy to see any of our growing customer base back at Redgate Lodge’s Bosch service centre, we understand logistically this isn’t always possible, so our warranty has a national coverage. Not only are we confident in the coverage level but also in the speed of claims payments, which in most cases is a same day payment.
All Warranty packs come with a clear set of Terms & Conditions, these are easily understandable to the consumer, so no need to be a mechanical engineer. Any questions please don’t hesitate to ask any of the sales team.
Priority Workshop Booking
As part of our Preparation & Service Support package, you’ll receive priority access to our in house workshop facilities. With a busy service department and high demand for bookings, this means your vehicle is moved to the front of the queue for diagnostics, repairs, and servicing. Should anything need attention, you won’t be left waiting weeks like many drivers experience elsewhere, our team will act quickly to get you back on the road with minimal disruption. It’s all part of delivering a smoother, faster, and more convenient ownership experience with Redgate Lodge.
Service & 12 Months MOT Guarantee
Every vehicle we supply undergoes a service and is issued with a full 12 months MOT prior to delivery.
In most cases, even if a vehicle has time remaining on its current MOT, we will carry out a brand-new test to ensure the inspection is completed by our own experienced in-house MOT testers to Redgate Lodge standards, not someone else’s interpretation.
Stock-age exception: If a vehicle has been in our stock for up to three months and has covered no additional miles since its most recent MOT, the car may be supplied with that existing MOT. However, where a vehicle has been in stock for more than three months, we will carry out a fresh MOT to provide a full 12 months’ cover for the new owner.
This approach ensures our customers benefit from maximum motoring confidence and transparency from day one. While some dealerships may rely purely on an existing MOT or carry out minimal checks, our preparation standards are designed to give you complete peace of mind and help avoid unexpected costs shortly after purchase.
MOT Advisory Notes
At the end of the MOT, our tester could have identified a number of issues that may need fixing soon but are not serious enough to cause the vehicle to fail its MOT. There is no legal obligation to take any action based on the MOT advisory notes, but it would be unwise to ignore them. At Redgate Lodge, ALL of our cars are sold with no outstanding advisory work required. You will be given full documentation with your new car which will highlight all of the cars preparation with identifying what has been repaired or replaced.
“Many dealers (including some main dealers) sell cars with lists of MOT advisories”
Manufacturer Recalls
From time-to-time, car manufacturers recall their cars for safety reasons. The cars owner is notified by post and invited to book the car in at their nearest main dealer to get the work carried out. With every car at Redgate Lodge, we check to see if there are any outstanding recalls and arrange for the car to be booked in with the main dealer to ensure that any outstanding recalls are done prior to the cars sale.
“Many dealers don’t bother to check for recalls, they leave it with the cars new owner to arrange”
Bosch Road Test
As part of the preparation of our cars, our Bosch trained technicians take each and every car on a 6-mile test drive. They use the same route which takes the cars over roundabouts, speed humps and up to 70 mph on the A19 to ensure the car drives correctly with no knocks or rattles. This test drive is enough time to identify any faults before the service and MOT is carried out.
“Many dealers don’t road test their vehicles, because a road test doesn’t form part of an MOT”
Bosch Service Centre
At Redgate Lodge, we operate our own on-site Bosch Car Service centre, a major advantage for our customers. Our experienced technicians are Bosch-trained and work to strict global standards, using dealer-level diagnostics from Bosch, Delphi and Snap-On to maintain vehicles precisely to manufacturer specifications.
As part of the trusted Bosch Car Service network, we also have electronic links with BMW, Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz, enabling us to update digital service records on your behalf protecting both your vehicle’s history and future resale value.
Many independent dealers outsource their preparation to third-party garages. We don’t. Everything is completed in-house by the same expert team who prepared your vehicle in the first place. The result? Faster diagnostics, accountable aftersales support and total peace of mind should you ever need us.
Quite simply, you’re buying from a dealer with the facilities, the training and the backing to properly support you long after you drive away.
Quality Parts
We use only the best quality parts on your car during preparation. Bosch are a major supplier to car manufacturers, and as an authorised Bosch service centre, we have extensive access to quality parts. We are approved by and use Petronas Oils (Mercedes Original Oil), and when we need to re-new brake parts, we use Padgid or Brembo, supplied to Porsche, Mercedes and used on many high-performance cars. We fit the same quality of parts regardless of the car and its price. From a Fiesta to a Range Rover, all parts are equal quality. We use only the best quality parts for our cars, so you can be assured of their longevity. In extreme cases when there is an issue, all parts we fit are guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months.
“Many dealers will fit the cheapest components available with little or no regard to their longevity after the car is purchased and after the warranty runs out, leaving you with potential bills for replacements”
Redgate Lodge Assured Check
In addition to the standard Bosch Service Health Check, we complete a Redgate Lodge Assured Check on all our vehicles for that extra peace of mind. Our Assured Check aims to delve deeper into the condition of the vehicle and its fine workings including but not limited to the turbo and related pipework, the DPF system, the transmission and gearbox system, fuelling system and injectors. Each major component is meticulously checked to an exacting standard ensuring all our vehicles are suitable and ready to drive away for many happy miles of motoring.
“Many dealers carry out a small service and MOT and are not really interested in any underlying faults a car could have, just as long as it passes an MOT”
200 Point Check
Our comprehensive 200-Point Vehicle Inspection is carried out in addition to our Bosch Health Check and Assured Check, ensuring preparation standards that go far beyond a basic MOT.
Modern vehicles are highly advanced, with complex mechanical, electronic and safety systems that require detailed assessment. An MOT confirms minimum legal compliance, our inspection goes significantly further.
Each vehicle undergoes thorough checks of key mechanical components, braking, suspension, steering, engine performance, diagnostics, safety systems and overall presentation. Inspections are completed by qualified technicians using advanced equipment, with any required rectification carried out using high-quality parts.
Full details of our 200-Point Inspection are displayed on our website for complete transparency and customer confidence.
The result is a vehicle prepared to a standard not just to pass an MOT test.
Electric Battery Certificates
Every electric vehicle we retail is supplied with a comprehensive independent battery health certificate for complete peace of mind. We partner with AVILOO, Europe’s leading specialist in electric vehicle battery diagnostics, to provide a detailed battery health check report with each EV. This advanced test assesses the battery’s State of Health (SOH), overall performance, capacity and condition, giving you full transparency on the most valuable component of your vehicle.
Unlike a standard mechanical inspection, this independent certification provides clear, data-driven insight into battery condition — helping to protect your investment, support future resale value and eliminate uncertainty when purchasing a used electric car. It’s part of our commitment to ensuring every vehicle is prepared to the highest standard and delivered with total confidence.
New Number Plates
All our cars come fitted with brand new plates, the reason for this is that number plates can fade and tarnish. Subconsciously, one of the first areas your friends and family will look at when they first see your new car is the number plate. We feel the number plates should be as sparkling as the car. If you have a private number plate, our sales executive will complete the online transfer for you. We will also provide “free of charge” new private number plates to be printed and fitted to your car.
“Many dealers don’t replace number plates; this is to keep the cars preparation cost to a minimum”
Stay The Night On Us
Travelling from over 100 miles away to collect your new vehicle? Let us make your visit even more enjoyable with a complimentary overnight stay at the excellent Village Hotel. Relax in comfort and take full advantage of the hotel’s modern gym, spa and leisure facilities, all included, completely free of charge.
Perfectly located directly opposite our Shiremoor dealership, the hotel also places you just five minutes from the beautiful coastline at Whitley Bay and only ten minutes from the vibrant heart of Newcastle city centre. It’s our way of saying thank you for choosing Redgate Lodge, and ensuring your handover experience is as smooth, relaxing and memorable as possible.
Airport & Train Luxury Transfers
If you choose to travel to us via Newcastle Airport or Newcastle Central Station, you will be able to take advantage of our free private chauffer service. Simply let us know what time you arrive and the time you would like to be collected and we will send one of our drivers in our luxury Mercedes Benz Traveliner to collect you. Feel free to bring your family and don’t worry about space, our Mercedes has seven seats.
Platinum Valet
Every vehicle at Redgate Lodge undergoes our meticulous Platinum Valet within our dedicated in-house Car Spa. Our experienced detailing team work methodically to achieve an exceptional finish, using professional techniques and the premium range of Autoglym products throughout the process.
Autoglym’s industry-leading formulas are specifically selected to safely cleanse, protect and enhance your vehicle’s paintwork, interior and trim, helping your new car look its absolute best on collection day while also preserving the quality of the finish for the future.
Because we operate our own fully equipped Car Spa and maintain a strong working partnership with Autoglym, all valeting and cosmetic preparation is completed in-house to our exacting standards, never outsourced.
Preparation Documents & Report
Finally, once the preparation is complete, you will receive a fully documented Bosch health check for your car including details of everything that has been checked and the condition it is in. We also provide you with extensive paperwork listing everything that has been changed, replaced or renewed during preparation.
“How many other dealers give as extensive pre-sale preparation as us, and document it? If you are looking at a car elsewhere, be sure to ask what their preparation entails”
Our Price Promise Guarantee
Transparency and value sit at the heart of everything we do.
Across the motor trade, it is common to see administration fees added with little tangible benefit. Equally, some dealers advertise “no admin fees”, yet incorporate those costs into inflated vehicle prices, often without investing in meaningful vehicle preparation or long-term customer support.
At Redgate Lodge Motor Group, we take a different approach.
Our Preparation & Service Support Package is comprehensive, measurable and designed to deliver genuine value. We are so confident in the quality of our vehicle preparation, the standard of parts used, and the robustness of our aftersales support infrastructure, that we stand firmly behind it.
If you are able to find a genuine like-for-like vehicle from another dealership, prepared to the same mechanical and cosmetic standard, using equivalent quality components, and supported by the same level of aftersales care, we will waive the £199 Preparation & Support Fee and give you £500 in cash back.
That is how confident we are.
Because true value is not about removing a fee it is about delivering a higher standard.
For The Journey Ahead
Free Recovery
We have our own recovery truck and include FREE recovery on all cars which are within 50 miles radius of our garage during business hours. This would normally be charged at a rate of £1.50 per mile. In addition to this, subject to availability, we will also leave you with a courtesy car for you to use whilst your car is in with us being repaired. Our driver is also a fully qualified mechanic. In most cases, cars can be diagnosed before we take them away so that you can be made aware of the fault and when you would expect the car to be ready. We control the full repair and any warranty claims in our Bosch service department.
Courtesy Car
We know that it can be a pain if your car is off the road due to mechanical issues, or even just booked in for a service or MOT. Our sister company Bosch Car Service have 10 courtesy cars available, meaning you are not inconvenienced in any way. The courtesy cars are charged to customers at a cost of £20 + VAT per day, but is FREE of charge to anyone who has purchased a car from us, as we pick up the bill from Bosch on your behalf. Please state upon making any bookings if you would need the use of our courtesy cars. Also, please bear in mind the insurance cover is subject to age, driving experience, and also takes into consideration any convictions on your license. Remember when possible to book in advance as all courtesy cars are in very high demand.
Processing Warranty Claims
We have an internal warranty team in place to process any claims efficiently, meaning you get your car back at the earliest available opportunity. There is no waiting around for independent assessors to check your car over and validate claims, as we have auto authorisation on claims up to £500. In addition to this, we also process all the paperwork, meaning a quick and simple process for customers with no money to hand over and no need to chase warranty companies for payment.
Warranty Excess Charge
Like car insurance, warranty companies charge an excess whenever a customer makes a claim. Our warranty company charge £30 excess meaning customers are usually responsible for the first £30 of any claim. As part of our Preparation / Service Support fee we will pay the warranty excess, regardless of where you are located in the UK or whichever garage you choose to complete the repairs.
Vehicle Electrical & Mechanical Diagnostic
Knocks, rattles and warning lights provide a clear sign to drivers that something is amiss with their vehicle. If you see a warning light appear on your dashboard, it may be simply due to a small insignificant and easy to repair fault, or it may be a sign that there is a serious underlying problem with the car. Even if you aren’t experiencing any performance issues, it’s essential to get the cause of the fault checked and rectified ASAP. Our Bosch Service Centre has all of the latest and up-to-date diagnostic equipment including Bosch KTS, Snap-On MODIS and Maxisys System. Therefore, if a fault appears on your car, from a simple rattle to a warning light, our team have the right equipment to diagnose the issue. Most faults can usually be diagnosed within 15 minutes. As part of our Preparation / Service Support fee, if you bring your car to our Bosch Car Service Centre, you will not be charged for any investigation work during these first 15 minutes. Any additional work required outside the 15 minutes will be discussed with you by your technician. This is valid for the length of time you own the vehicle.
Repair Payment Assist
What happens if a dreaded warning light pops on when your warranty has expired? What about an unexpected repair charge following an MOT? Our Service Support customers are able to exclusively benefit from our partnership with Payment-Assist and take the fear out of motoring. You can spread the cost of repairs over 4 manageable payments (or 4 months) subject to a 25% payment upfront. It’s all arranged quickly and easily by Bosch Service and there are NO credit checks for work under £1000.
MOT Discount
Our Service Support customers enjoy their first MOT at trade price!! That’s a £15 saving on the usual (rrp) £40.
One of the most daunting aspects of car ownership is MOT time! Will it pass? Will it fail? Will I be recommended to replace unnecessary parts? Fortunately, our on-site Bosch Service Centre is here to take away the uncertainty. Our state-of-the-art Tech-Man system gives our technicians accurate and up-to-date information for every car. We take photos and even a video straight from the system and send you details of failures and advisories via text and email with detailed commentary from your technician, so you can see the issue for yourself (if any)! Furthermore, we never complete any work that will cost you money without your prior authorisation.
Choose to have your car serviced by us at the same time and benefit from a prestigious Bosch service stamp in the book, with all online manufacturer records updated too. Something that’s particularly relevant and essential to modern prestige German cars (BMW / AUDI / MERCEDES).
Bodyshop Support
Service Support customers are able to exclusively benefit from 10% discount on Bodyshop repairs and our paintless dent removal service. We also offer 10% discount on alloy wheel repairs. But what if you have picked up a scratch or stone chip not worthy of the full Bodyshop experience? We have you covered…. You can enjoy completely FREE minor touch-ins to chips, scratches and even minor kerbing damage.
Car Spa Discount
Want to recreate the feeling of collecting your new car? Our Service Support customers can now get an exclusive 10% off any treatment at our on-site Car Spa. Use the discount as many times as you like to have your car looking as good as the day you bought it!
Winter Tyre Swap
Many of our customers like to swap over to Winter tyres to cope with the wintery conditions on our roads, especially those driving powerful or rear wheel drive cars. Our Service Support customers will have the wheels or tyres swapped over to their own winter tyres, and back to all season again as many times as they like!
Free Puncture Repair
Free puncture repairs for life are included in our Service Support, not only saving time and inconvenience but saving a great deal of money too!
FREE Summer / Winter Inspection
In our experience, the best way to avoid big repair bills is to spot potential problems before they can become real problems! It’s for that reason we give all customers that have purchased a car from us a FREE fully documented Winter and Summer check. The 30-point Bosch inspection checks all areas of concern such as brakes, suspension, tyres and all fluid levels. The Service Centre prepares a detailed report with any remedial work recommended as necessary including pictures, videos and advice directly from the Bosch technicians. The usual price of this comprehensive check is £20 + VAT. As part of our Preparation / Service Support fee, we pay for this inspection.
FREE Winter Essential Pack
When you book your car in with our Bosch Service Centre for a Winter health check, you will receive a FREE Car Plan Winter Essential Pack. This includes a large can of De-icer, Screen wash and a handy Ice Scraper for those frosty mornings. (rrp £9.99)
£150 Friends & Family Referral Vouchers
Not only do we want to supply you with a new car, but also your friends, family, neighbours and in fact anyone you associate with. We are both proud and very fortunate to receive many referrals by our delighted customers. To recognise and reward this, customers are supplied with 3 referral vouchers on handover worth £150. If you are lucky enough to use all 3, we will of course supply you with as many as you need for future referrals.
Redgate Lodge Accident Support
Redgate Lodge Accident Management, delivered in partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Should you be involved in an accident, whether minor or more significant, our dedicated support team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing immediate assistance and clear guidance when you need it most.
From the moment you contact us, we take control of the entire process on your behalf. If your vehicle is not legally drivable, we will arrange prompt recovery and deliver a suitable replacement vehicle to a location convenient for you, keeping you mobile and minimising disruption to your daily routine. Our experienced accident management specialists liaise directly with your insurer, handle all associated paperwork, and oversee the repair process through our manufacturer-approved Bodyshop using approved parts and professional repair standards.
In non-fault claims, this service is typically provided at no cost to you, and even in fault claims we can manage the process and clearly explain any associated costs from the outset. Our aim is simple, to remove the stress, protect your interests, and return your vehicle to you to the highest possible standard, while you carry on with business as usual.
Bosch Service & MOT Centre
We have a service admin team in place who send you reminders when your car is due for a service, MOT and also confirmation of bookings you may make to the Bosch Service Centre via text straight to your mobile, and also via email, meaning you never have to worry about missing your MOT due date or going overdue on your service (which can lead to warranties becoming void). Due to demand, we recommend you book in early.
Handover Gold Valet
Your new car has already benefitted from a full Auto Glym Platinum Valet for display on our forecourt. In addition to this, our Car Spa team will carry out a Gold Valet ready for collection (rrp) £50 + VAT. This includes a wash and polish to the exterior paintwork and glass, tyre shine, and a full interior hoover with hard surfaces dusted.
Fuel For Your First Journey
Prior to collection we will always add some fuel, so the first journey in your new car isn’t worrying if you will make it to the petrol station or not. Please consider that all cars we purchase tend to have little to no fuel left in them by the previous owner. We like to ensure there is at least enough fuel to turn any warning lights off, typically a range of 30-60 miles.
Registration Documents / Change Of Ownership
V5 registration documents are completed by us and sent to the DVLA “recorded delivery” at an extra cost, so we can track your document if ever there is an issue, again taking out the hassle for you of registering your new car in your name. We also help you with your new car by administering your tax for your new vehicle on-site on the day of collection, meaning when you leave your car is road legal.
Williams Ceramic Coat Administration
Your vehicle is one of your most significant investments, protecting it properly from day one is essential.
When you choose our market-leading Williams Ceramic Coat, you are not simply adding a surface treatment; you are securing long-term protection against environmental damage, UV fading, oxidisation, road contaminants and everyday wear. The advanced ceramic formula creates a durable protective barrier designed to maintain gloss, depth of colour and ease of cleaning throughout your ownership.
We fully register the product on your behalf to activate the manufacturer-backed lifetime warranty, ensuring your protection is officially documented and secured. In addition, we administer and manage the warranty for the entire duration of your ownership, handling any queries or claims directly, giving you complete peace of mind without the hassle.
Without professional-grade ceramic protection, paintwork is far more vulnerable to deterioration over time. With it, your vehicle maintains its presentation, residual value and long-term appeal.
Protection today preserves value tomorrow.
Sit Back & Relax
For customers who have taken advantage of our fixed price servicing package and have purchased our 2-year Bosch Car Service and MOT plan, with each service you will receive a complimentary day pass for the Village Hotel leisure club, which is situated directly opposite our dealership in Shiremoor. Simply book your car in with us, then enjoy some quality pampering time, and maybe a nice lunch.
Some Retail Therapy
Complimentary Professional Touch-Ins
As part of our Preparation & Support Package, we are pleased to offer complimentary professional touch-ins at the Redgate Lodge Motor Group Bodyshop. If your vehicle picks up minor stone chips or light surface scratches, simply call in and our experienced bodyshop technicians will carry out a precise, colour-matched professional touch-in.
Unlike DIY repair kits, our trained specialists use professional materials and techniques to achieve a high-quality finish that helps maintain your vehicle’s appearance and protect its long-term value. It’s just one more way we continue to support you long after you’ve driven away.
Motorcheck HPI Check
We take care of the HPI on your new car as a matter of course and we also HPI check your part exchange (if you have one) at our expense, typically in the region of £10-15. You do not need to HPI a car you are purchasing from us. Please consider that when we purchase cars, we think the same as our customers and we are very picky about our stock. We look at service history, owners, condition and more importantly mileage checks and HPI (which we also must pay for). If you would like a copy, please ask and we will be happy to provide you with one.
Finance
We do a great deal of work behind the scenes with our partner finance providers. From negotiating excellent rates with our current partners, to bringing additional finance companies on board if we feel they have a great product for our customers.
We process all your finance needs in-house, setting up your new package including all relevant identification checks and completing all paperwork on your new agreement from initial set-up to completion phase. We fully settle any existing finance on your part exchange, meaning you don’t have to do anything. All part exchanges are settled usually within three working days depending on the finance company.
A £499 fee applies to customers using a finance broker outside our official panel of lenders paying funds direct to Redgate Lodge*
Automotive Compliance
With help of our partners at Automotive Compliance, we work hard to ensure we have robust compliance policies and procedures for our finance products – this makes sure we stay up-to-date with the FCA’s regulations.
We complete SAF training and certification via Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) for all sales staff. This gives all our sales staff the knowledge to help our customers choose the right finance product for them.
Lawgistics – Motor Trade Legal Support
We have partnered with Lawgistics for over ten years, ensuring our business operates to the highest standards of legal compliance and consumer protection within the motor trade. Lawgistics are recognised specialists in automotive law, providing expert guidance on consumer rights, vehicle sales regulations, distance selling, finance compliance and industry best practice.
This ongoing relationship gives us immediate access to professional legal advice on current and forthcoming changes in consumer legislation, allowing us to remain proactive rather than reactive. Most importantly, it provides reassurance to our customers that every vehicle sale is conducted transparently, ethically and fully in line with UK consumer law, offering confidence, clarity and complete peace of mind.
*If you would like to opt out of our Preparation / Service Support you can do so, please speak to a member of the sales team before you reserve the car.
Hints and Tips
Purchasing a new car is a big decision and can be a little daunting to say the least. With so many makes and models to choose from, diesel petrol or electric, online car reviews, advise from friends and family. The process can be very stressful.
At Redgate Lodge Motor Group we want to remove that stress and provide you with a trustworthy and very enjoyable car buying experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s often said they don’t build cars like they used to in the old days. Modern cars have around 3,000 parts and each one could fail at any time, therefore always make sure you purchase a good warranty policy
from the supplying dealer.
Absolutely not, some are not worth the paper they are written on so always make sure that you check with the supplying dealer the level of cover. A good policy will cover wear and tear, mechanical failures, turbos, all electrics, entertainment systems etc. It’s also worth while researching the warranty company before you invest in their products.
Depending on how many months are valid on the MOT and how many miles the car has covered since the last MOT, then yes, there could be dangers. We would recommend you question the supplying dealer as to why they won’t provide a fresh 12-month MOT. Usually this is to avoid costly repair work and they would rather the buyer is faced with the cost when the MOT is due.
Absolutely, depending on what the recall is and whether it is safety related or not. The supplying dealer should always make sure these recalls are completed before selling you the car.
An MOT advisory is a warning from an MOT tester that the car has issues that need to be addressed. MOT advisories can be very costly, we recommend checking to identify if the advisory work is still outstanding before purchasing the car.
Only financially, if you don’t choose to purchase a good comprehensive policy which covers sudden mechanical failures, you could be faced with some hefty repair bills.
A documented heath check is over and above an MOT requirement. Usually, the items that are included are, air conditioning, satellite navigation, heating system, locking wheel nut present etc. A reputable supplying dealer will provide you with a documented health check and if the car is due a service, this will also be included.
Usually, car parts that are cheap are cheap for a reason, they tend to come from China with a limited warranty period. These cheap parts can easily fail in a short period of time or just after their warranty period. A reputable supplying dealer will only fit either original parts or the equivalent.
A supplying dealer who uses the wrong oil recommended by the manufacture can seriously damage the engine. Manufactures recommend a particular grade of engine oil that is approved by them. In the event of sudden engine failure, the manufacture will check the oil firstly to establish that it has the correct oil. A reputable dealer will provide details of the oil used within their servicing preparation documents.
Usually, you will find using an independent approved garage, which is part of a national network, that the costs are considerably less than a main dealer. With the likes of Bosch, dealers must operate to Bosch standards, using Bosch parts and abiding by their servicing standards. Accredited dealers who are part of the network that don’t follow and uphold the network standards are simply removed.
Yes, they can be, often well maintained and looked after. However, be cautious and ask the supplying dealer which company had the car previously. Main Dealers and Car Supermarkets buy thousands of cars every year from car hire companies, so you may think you are purchasing a carefully driven one owner company car when in fact the car could have had for example 200 drivers within the first three years. The fastest driven cars and most neglected on the roads tend to be hire cars.
Yes, some can be very limited, we often find cars can be shown as fully clear on an HPI or Experian report, however using Motor Check it delves much deeper into the car’s history, including damage images if a car has been involved in an accident. Always insist on a live Motor Check report with any car you choose to purchase.
Yes, they have compared the sellers asking price for a car with their own valuation and given it a label. This tells you how the price of the car you are considering purchasing compares to the market price of other cars with similar qualities. Supplying dealers who don’t tend to use Autotrader and price their cars to market, tend to be more expensive than dealers with a similar like for like car.
You will have seen that silly TV advert, telling you to sell your car to them so you can get a better deal at the dealers when you buy your next car. This is utter rubbish; car dealers deal in cars to make money so why would a dealer not want the opportunity to take your old car in part exchange?
Yes, without Ceramic Coat protection, your paintwork could become dull and faded over time, when exposed to atmospheric pollutants and harsh car wash chemicals. The paintwork will progressively fade and hold dirt, meaning cleaning and washing will become harder. A reputable supplying dealer will choose a product the likes of Williams Ceramic Coat, which is a ceramic coat and comes with a warranty. Often dealers sell ceramic coat protection, which isn’t a ceramic coat, it’s more like a posh polish. It is always worth checking which brand they use before you commit.
OK, if you apply for finance or a bank loan you will find the lender will charge you interest, or they simply wouldn’t loan you the money, they are not going to loan you the money for free at 0%. If you ever see a 0% finance deal on a used car it is usually because the dealer has included the amount of interest to the screen price of the car. This is known in the Motor Trade as a front-loaded deal. The only real risk in purchasing a car in this way is that you have paid the amount of interest upfront within the price of the car and if you have a for example four-year deal and get a settlement figure at year two, this will be higher as it will include the interest for the remaining two years.
No, manufactures build cars in bulk, these cars can be stored for months before they are registered and sold. Many manufactures include a three-year warranty with their new cars, however, only include twelve months with batteries and door seals. Unless you specifically build a new car to order, the chances are it could be months old before you buy it.
Yes, if you rely on your car for daily use, its an advantage to buy from a dealer who have their own courtesy cars. A reputable dealer will have reasonably new cars, often with their company branding, these cars will be clean and well presented.
The cover can be extremely low level, its mainly used for data capture, where the recovery provider will quickly contact you and sell you a better package.
This is down to personal preference, it’s a case of do you want to own your car or rent one? With lease you make monthly payments and hand the car back at the end of the term. With hire purchase or personal contract hire you own the car at the end of the term. Be aware with leasing companies, the excess mileage charges can be very costly and when you return the car at the end of the contract, they will inspect the car and look for any stone chips, marks or scratches and present you with the cost of repair.
Depending on the age and mileage of the car, it would be expected to have damage on older vehicles, however a car with a retail value of over £8,000 should be presented to a good standard. You shouldn’t inherit, scratches, multiple stone chips or scuffs, as this will affect the value when you come to sell or part exchange it.
Its more desirable for a car to have a documented service history and on some premium brands this can affect the cars value. A car with for example 50,000 miles with no documented service history, it would be highly unlikely the car hasn’t been serviced; to reach 50,000 it will have needed tyres, new brakes etc. Documented service history can get misplaced by the previous owners or not given to the garage when it’s in for service to be stamped.
No not at all, when cars are built in the factories they often get damaged by the fitters on the assembly line and are repainted before they get delivered to the main dealer. Main dealers then carry out a pre delivery inspection when they receive the cars. In many cases brand new cars get damaged during transport, which results in more paintwork.
Not always, most of the large car hire companies self-insure their cars, which means in the event of an accident they repair the cars themselves, meaning these cars don’t get recorded on the accident data base register. These cars are sold to unsuspecting main dealers and car supermarkets and in many cases, they are not due an MOT and are sold onto consumers.
When buying a used car, the cheapest isn’t always the best option, a reputable dealer will prepare their cars to a high standard and not cut corners with the preparation, to advertise their cars cheap. First impressions count, when buying a new car, you need to be confident in the dealer, they should explain everything clearly so that you feel confident in buying a car from them. You need to enquire about their preparation process and what procedures they have in place so that if your car fails, they can keep you mobile and repair the car in a swift timely manner.
Main dealers often have special offers running, for example a weekend special offer which gets heavily promoted via TV and Radio, "£500 off every car and £500 more for your part exchange”. What usually happens is that close of business on the Friday all cars are increased by £500 for the marketing event and when it comes to your part exchange, the value they would have given you on the Friday for example £5,000 on the special offer suddenly becomes £4,500 plus the special offer £500 extra, bringing you back to the original £5,000. Ultimately you get the same deal as you would have received without the marketing special offer.
Yes, you could potentially purchase a car where the cars service isn’t due, then after only owning the car for 4-5 months based on service date, the car then requires a service. Depending on the level of service, make and model of the car, you could be presented with a hefty bill, something which you probably wouldn’t be planning on, having only owned the car for a short period of time.