As per my reply to the other post..

If it is a holding deposit to hold the vehicle then you are ok as the same rules apply until you have inspected it. If it was a purchasing deposit the dealer would have asked for £500 at least.

Last Thursday I paid a £3500 deposit on my nearly new car AFTER I had inspected and driven it.

Did px today and all was well.

paid £329 for 3 years prepaid servicing.

Drove home.

Thanks for getting back to me. Its been a long time since I bought a car (always had Motability through my brother) - I'm just a bit nervous and worried about the whole thing!

Better to check before, 99.999% of sales happen like that and if you are not sure, take a friend who knows more about these things.

Sorry Glasgae is a wee bit too far for me to turn up.

Don't forget to let us know how it all goes, and tell the salesman that you are writing of your experience on this forum. I do unmercifully!

Not always stored in a compound;may be at another branch of the same dealership.The last new car I bought had been in the showroom of another branch but it was in the colour I wanted and I could have it within a couple of days.

It's not uncommon for "manufacturer's approved" cars to be held in a central pool and released as required - typically "management" and ex-hire cars.

Provided the deposit is clearly subject to your inspection of the car, I'd not be concerned about that side of it.

On a few car forums I've used, there's a lot of detrimental comment about the dealer group you're using - that's where I'd be concerned.