Thanks for the responses.

I suppose negotiation via email does make sense insofar as it removes some of the teeth grinding uncertainty one usually experiences when first arriving at a dealership.

Just struck me as odd that they generously valued my part ex without any reference to "subject to condition", and having been ripped off in the past and tending to err more on the side of caution than I used to, that made me wonder whether the deal was too good to be true.

Edited by argybargy on 11/11/2016 at 17:22

The Toyota dealer who sold my son a Yaris two years ago stated they sold half their stock over the internet- sight unseen. Whilst we were there, the other salesman was dealing with such an enquiry.

I bought my Jazz from a dealer in Leeds - 70 miles away. As it was under maker's warranty, there were no problems using the local dealers to fix any problems and service under the 5 year Servise Plan which the prior owner had bought.

(As it turned out, it has been faultless in 4 years)

I bought my current Ford Mondeo online and unseen from a Ford Main Dealer 150 miles away. Negotiated over the telephone and online, with my request for additional information, e.g. the VIN and Registration Numbers numbers, being readily complied with. I didn't have a car to part exchange which did make negotiations a bit more staight-forward. I paid a £250 refundable deposit via credit card and, having made all the necessary arrangements, got a train up to Stoke a couple of days later to see collect the car.

When I arrived and saw the car I couldn't believe how good it looked. After a look-over we went out for a test drive, fortunately there weren't any problems and we returned to the dealership to complete the necessary formalities, including my paying the rest of the balance by debit card.

The salesman informed me that they sell cars by this method all the time in this day and age. Didn't seem unreasonable to me.

A friend of mine is a delivery driver for a main dealer in New South Wales. He was telling me that buying over the internet is normal now and he delivers cars to buyers and picks up the trade ins to take back all the time. Almost all the cars he delivers, the buyer is very pleased. The dealer makes a point of putting lots of photos on the website and is particular about clearly pointing out any faults and showing photos of marks etc.

On the odd occasion when the buyer is not happy he just phones the salesman and is usually told to bring it back.

I wouldn't like to buy a car that way but it seems very common now. It certainly is less hassle than trudging round used car lots.

I have bought four cars at a distance - the longest being over 250 miles (Worthing to Manchester). One was a mistake as I did not ask enough questions. The other three were as good as expected if not better.

My current E350CDi estate was four years old when I bought it. The (small independent) dealer videoed the car, took lots of photos and emailed them to me. We agreed a price and he drove the car to me (only 50 miles). I paid him via internet banking and took him to the station to go home.