I guess this will fall into the 'what if i have problems' section relating to the recent thread titled "How far away would you buy a used car from a dealer". My own experience (357 miles), as of 7 months down the line, has been positive, with no problems at all. But then i was purchasing a vehicle which is relatively simple mechanically (2.0 n/a diesel) and at a relatively low price. I'd be reluctant to buy something like the OP has unless there was a dealer not too far away.

A couple of other points though (hindsight is a great thing) but i wonder how much research the OP did on this vehicle before buying?. A lot of people seem to be under the mistaken assumption that Nissan is a Japanese brand, and as such the Xtrail will have the same engineering integrity and reliablity as a Toyota RAV-4 or Honda CR-V. But Nissan is owned by Renault so the Xtrail uses the same platform and oily bits as the equivalent Renault (i think the Kadjar in this case). And Renault, unfortunately, is a company which does not exactly cover itself in glory when it comes to reliability and customer satisfaction. Also, someone mentioned checking for offroad damage, but despite the Xtrail being technically an SUV, it is not really that kind of car. Unlike it's predesessor which was pretty hardy, if a little uncouth, and could actually do some offroading, the current model is little more than a Qashqai made 20% bigger. Most models are front wheel drive, so unlikely to be going further offroad than bumping over a kerb at M&S.

I have some sympathy with the OP, as when you do test drive a car, there is a tendency to exercise extra caution. I've done several test drives recently, and in addition to paying attention to where you are going, you focus road noise, the feel of the car, visbility and so on. It's all new and strange and you cant absorb it all. What is not normal - maybe it shoud be - is to bang along a road at 50-60 and hit the brakes hard to test for efficiency - and judder.

On a Jag F Pace test drive a few weeks back some 20 miles from home, I asked the salesman specifically to include dual carriageway, plus twisty country roads etc, to make sure the handling wasnt stodgy. Plus you want at least a good 20-30min drive covering different aspects, including a test to reverse park the car. It's no good taking a car off the forecourt onto a long dual carriageway, round the roundabout 6 miles up the road and back to the showroom. Any shorter time doesnt flag up seating/comfort issues either.

Only when you are satisfield with the drive do you start the close inspection to check panel alignment, wheel damage, seats for scratches/tears, scuffs, screen/paint chips etc before price negotiation on which the first question should be about its history, then accident damage, service history view. It is also worth checking DVLA website before you test drive to check for vehicle recalls, cross-check VIN with any on recall and ask for proof the work has been done. If applicable, you'd have already searched the cars MoT history.

It's all due diligence...

Too many buy sight unseen these days where wallet overrules head. I fully understand the OP's point about rare spec. Indeed, the car I am looking for is plentiful as regard its colour, but I dont want beige/brown/cream or red/black upholstry, 22in rims with 40 profile tyres and no opening pan roof etc. You are spending large amounts, why compromise?

Edited by Miniman777 on 25/07/2018 at 19:18