VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good?

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Mon 12 Jul 2021 15:17
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - FirstTimeOwner

I've been hunting for my first car (2017 VW Polo TSI Match) for a while now, but nothing suitable has come up locally. Originally I wanted to test drive before buying, but I'm now starting to think about VW's online 'click & collect' service. Does anyone here have experience of buying a used car in this way? Is there anything I should watch out for / ask before I buy? How easy is it to return the car if it turns out to be a dud for any reason? I'm super nervous about the purchase as I've not bought a car before, even though I've been driving for many years....

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Mon 12 Jul 2021 16:15
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - _

Remember the downsides of buying like this.

GET EVERYTHINg in writing by e mail, and preferably as close as possible to where you live, to get it fixed in case of faults, and check the warranty terms and conditions as it will be out of VW warranty.

When you find a car, check the ist MOT history as yours will be 4 or more years old..

How about a toyota, kia or hyundai with manufacturers warranty left, sold as dealer approved used. (main dealers.)

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Mon 12 Jul 2021 16:55
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - FiestaOwner

I've been hunting for my first car (2017 VW Polo TSI Match) for a while now, but nothing suitable has come up locally. Originally I wanted to test drive before buying, but I'm now starting to think about VW's online 'click & collect' service. Does anyone here have experience of buying a used car in this way? Is there anything I should watch out for / ask before I buy? How easy is it to return the car if it turns out to be a dud for any reason? I'm super nervous about the purchase as I've not bought a car before, even though I've been driving for many years....

My advice is don't do it!

Always view it yourself outside in sunlight. Photos hide many tell tale signs of accident damage.

Always test drive it too.

Was looking at an "approved used" car with a friend last year, it looked good in the photos. She had viewed it the day before and paid a holding deposit, despite me telling her not too!

When I started looking round the car the salesman said there was no need for me to look over it. When I opened the bonnet I could see that a front wing had been replaced. On the same car the EML was lit and it was noticeably down on power (when test driving it). The dealer was reluctant to return the holding deposit and telling my friend they would fix it (if they were going to fix it, they should have done that before putting it on the forecourt)! I dug my heels in and she got her deposit back. I bet the previous owner traded it in because the dealer couldn't fix it!

By the way the car was a 2017 Polo Match (1.2 TSI).

There are a lot of ropey "Approved Used" cars of all makes on dealers forecourts. "Click and Collect" is a great way for them to offload them onto unsuspecting punters!

You may well have the right to return a duff car, but exercising that right against a dealer is often impossible!

Edited by FiestaOwner on 12/07/2021 at 16:56

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Mon 12 Jul 2021 17:51
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - Miniman777
Can’t believe how so many are being seduced to buy online, without a test drive or inspection. Never buy a used car unseen. Salespersons are known to be economical with the truth.
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Mon 12 Jul 2021 19:54
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - catsdad
I like buying approved used for long term peace of mind but don't assume that the car will be perfect on handover. My Golf was just over a year old and Approved VAG.
After collecting I drove home and began to transfer my tools and bits and pieces into the spare wheel well. I found about three inches (genuinely) of water in the bottom. Although I missed it on picking the car up, in my defence it's very deep down.The dealer had zero excuse as leaks via the rear boot badge are a well known Golf issue.
So I would check even more carefully in future and would certainly not do a click and collect if they expect me to turn up and drive off.
The dealer did sort it out but it took a couple of weeks, one week of which they loaned me a new Passat estate demonstrator when I said I was minded to reject the car as they were dragging their heels. "We are so busy even our management cars can't get a workshop slot" was a line I will forever cherish.
I knew from online research that the fault is a detached drain tube from the rear badge and it's a few minutes work. But they need to go through a full leak check and get VW approval etc.
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Tue 13 Jul 2021 10:40
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - FirstTimeOwner

Thanks so much for all the replies - you've given me a lot of food for thought.

To be honest, I'm not sure that I've got the technical knowledge to spot sneaky potential issues even if I inspect the car in person (and there's no-one I can ask to help out). I'm now a bit worried that I'm at risk of being ripped off regardless of whether I buy in person or online. I've done quite a bit of research, but there's no substitute for hands-on experience.

Any views on RAC/AA Vehicle Inspections - would that be a worthwhile investment, given that I'm a bit clueless?!

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Mon 12 Jul 2021 23:15
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - SLO76
I’m often asked to look at cars on behalf of others and I’d say I reject around 75% of what I view. The big problem with finding a good used car today is that the first keeper is almost never the actual owner, they’re almost all on PCP or contract lease and thus few spend the money to maintain them properly. Service histories are often non-existent or patchy, mileages suspect and poor paint repairs have been carried out prior to returning it. A good owner driver used car is much harder to find today, even among approved used stock.

I personally wouldn’t commit to buying any car I hadn’t seen in the metal. Sales staff are dishonest and will talk up a tatty car, you need to see it and thoroughly check the paintwork and service record before buying. Remember also that if anything goes wrong youll need to deal with the supplying dealer unless the warranty is supplied by a national chain or possibly a VW backed policy that can be used at other VW dealers.

Personally I’d buy only after viewing and as much as I quite like the Polo (I ran a 1.2 TDi Match for 5yrs) I’d expand your search to include other superminis such as the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift. Too narrow a search and you'll struggle to get a good used car. Polo’s with the 1.2 TSi motor aren’t that common and your money will go further elsewhere and you'll gain superior reliability from either I’ve mentioned above.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/07/2021 at 23:16

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Tue 13 Jul 2021 00:23
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - privateinvestor

A few years ago ....My friend purchased a used approved Mercedes E Class CDI 3.0 - he drove it from Sheffield to London with a leaky fuel system that was leaking fuel-what a disgrace - got it fixed -foc but think of the consequences of fire damage.

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Wed 14 Jul 2021 11:44
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - FirstTimeOwner

Thanks for the replies - you've all given me a lot of food for thought.

To be honest, I'm not sure that I've got the tech knowledge to spot potential issues even if I inspect the car in person (and there's no-one I can ask to help me out). I thought that an Approved Dealer would be safer than a private sale, but I'm now beginning to worry that I'm at risk of being ripped off regardless of whether I buy online or in person.

Would an RAC/AA vehicle inspection be a sensible investment for someone like me who doesn't really know what they're doing?! Has anyone used them - what did you think of the service?

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Wed 14 Jul 2021 17:12
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - catsdad
I think Approved Used is generally a good way to buy a newish car as they will sort out any issues after sale. Just don't expect it to be perfect on delivery. Factor into your thinking the possible need to return the car at your time and expense for any remedial work. So be wary of buying from distance or without a test drive.
Don't overthink it. If you do you will never buy one.
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Wed 14 Jul 2021 17:15
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - Andrew-T

I thought that an Approved Dealer would be safer than a private sale, but I'm now beginning to worry that I'm at risk of being ripped off regardless of whether I buy online or in person.

Unfortunately that is something that only experience will teach. Usually a dealer will be unable to tell you much about their stock, as many will have come from auction or through their network, and even if one has been traded in there, it may well have been maintained somewhere else. All you can do is check that it has a full set of encouraging documentation.

On the other hand a private seller should be able to offer much more - except a warranty of course - but the saving to you may make all that worth while. And of course a private seller is unlikely to take a part-ex or arrange finance.

The MoT website is your friend for investigating any car more than 4 years old. And always take a decent (>20 mins) test drive; private sellers may not let you drive (I wouldn't) but it gives you a chance to listen for suspect noises.

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Wed 14 Jul 2021 18:33
VW Approved Used 'Click & Collect' - Any Good? - joegrundy

In my limited experience (one - Suzuki) 'Used Approved' doesn't really mean anything and is mainly a marketing tool.

The 'Used Approved' status is decided by the dealer (presumably within some sort of age/mileage criteria). The manufacturer is not involved.

The warranty was a 'white label' warranty policy issued by an insurer, not the manufacturer, and has significant exclusions. A failed a/c system was excluded because the condenser was leaking due to corrosion.

The manufacturer displays no interest in faults with a 'Used Approved', referring all issues back to the dealer (wrongly in my case as I'd bought the car on PCP).

The finance company (Suzuki Finance Ltd in my case) often has nothing to do with the manufacturer. SFL is just (yet) another trading name for Lloyds Banking Group, as is 'Shogun Finance' and no doubt many others.

My feeling is that it's a contrivance to build a cosy marketing scenario ('Welcome to the Suzuki family') when the reality is quite different.

Other makes may have differences, of course.

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