Read the reviews about them on Trustpilot, amongst others..

Read the bad ones too, and decide if you want the hassle and costs if something goes wrong, especially if on finance.

Don't forget they are "agents" so my advice after all these years is

BUY FROM AREPUTABLE MOTOR DEALER and preferably close to you..

My experience over about the same number of years is that it's just not possible to ensure a "reputable dealer" although your advice to stay local is spot on, it's much easier to deal with issues locally than at a distance.

I tried to negotiate with my local VW dealer but they couldn't get close to an online broker's deal for a £55,000 Touareg, the difference was about £3,000.

I liked the concept of someone trying something new , but have not heard they are an agent

I did just that, the dealer was in Newbury and the car was in one of their other branches. I ordered on the proviso that if it was not as stated I could reject it. This was all done very amicably and the car was fine...still got it five years later.

The things I've seen about cazoo lead me to believe they are a company who buys stock from auctions themselves ( only the best....... ) To sell themselves just in a different manner to the norm of dealerships thus cutting out the retail shop side of things.

<< A lot of the big dealerships buy cars from auctions. >>

So presumably the theory is that Cazoo doesn't need to afford an expensive showroom or many (overpaid) staff - and the punter saves ? Does he ?

Exactly Andrew. Although I think you've just got to keep an eye out because some cars look a decent price others don't.

But what happens if you need to 'take the car back' ? A dealership has some obligations, but with Cazoo I guess you may be a bit stuck. Do they claim to refer you to a dealer ?