I would price up a new prices through brokers.

Used prices are mad at the moment and that 'initial depreciation' may not actually be evident.

I must admit I was also very tempted by the XC60 but would have to get comfortable with the touch screen control not being distracting. The draw with them is the comfort as I have issues where it has to be right - Volvo is an appealing proposition.

However, as I'd prefer the current model the prices are absolutely prohibitive to be honest. So - likely to be Toyota or Honda and I am inclined to agree that the RAV4 may be the slightly better proposition as I'd intend to keep it until it's 5 years old as you suggest. That would give me 3 years of reliable, warranty covered, motoring with decent running costs and low tax.

The stated mpg on the Honda (for what it's worth) seems considerably less than the RAV4 which is a shame.

The Volvo that I could afford would almost be out of warrnty and stil has the whopping initial VED charge levied.

I know you are pretty well appraised of the foibles of most vehicles - are there any issues in buying a 1-2 year old RAV4 that you'd advise me to look out for?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Edited by Dingle232 on 01/09/2021 at 09:47

The ONLY criticism I can level at it is that it's a little underpowered and I do a lot of journeys where it's fully loaded. The Hybrids have a little more poke to them which would be a great benefit on the hills.

Toyota & Lexus up to 10 year warranty / 100K miles if serviced by franchised dealer.

An issue for me with Honda is dealership network. It has been reduced dramatically over the last 3-4 years. A few weeks ago I passed what used to be the Leeds Honda dealer and its selling another marque. It appears Leeds now no longer has a Honda dealer at all.

My dad has had 2 Jazz, family dealer he bought from closed, nearest dealer then changed to Nissan. His current car is now being serviced by a local garage as the nearest main dealer is too far.

Similarly, the dealer in Bracknell that I bought a new CR-V from in 2012 is no longer a Honda dealership. The nearest are now in Guildford and Reading.

A slight aside for those of you with experience of Toyota dealers. The car I am considering is coming up to 1 year old (not yet reached) and has been being used in the dealership by one of the Managers.

Its service interval is 10k miles or 1 year and the mileage hasn't been reached so it's the 1 year trigger for the service. It's a basic one with the oil and filter being the main thing.

During the conversations I have had today the sales guy initially said 'it's due a service and we'd do it before it leaves if you buy it.' Fair enough and what I wanted to hear.

In subsequent conversations he stated that the car had 'been serviced' and the book was stamped and it was already done. When I challenged him he reiterated that the service had been done, despite getting slightly flustered when I pointed out to him that it wasn't actually due for another month.

I am sceptical but no way to prove it or otherwise. I could either insist on a further service which is something they are unlikely to do, refuse to buy the car or get a service done at my cost when I get the car home.

I have an inherent mistrust of dealers. What are the chances of the service having actually been done? Would you trust them or give yourself peace of mind and pay for it yourself?

Fully agree and I have informed them I'll be checking before buying. The air filter isn't included on the first service schedule so the only clue will be the oil. The get out for them is that the car has been being used as a daily runner by one of their Managers so I am not sure that's going to be a reliable indicator as, even if not clean, then they could argue that it's normal for it to be discoloured on account of the fact that it's been used each day.

Even though it pains me I am tempted to bite the bullet and get it done locally without stamping the book but getting an invoice to support the service that's been carried out. I plan to keep the car a few years so don't want any issues with it.

What is included in the first service?.

1, Strikes me that if it only entails an oil change, what would the benefit be to the dealer to tell you it has been done when it hasn't?

2, You are thinking of buying a one year old example of one of the most reliable cars available at any price, with most of its warranty still to run, from a Toyota dealer. In the (IMO) highly unlikely event of them not having done this first service, what do you think might happen?. Personally, I'd wager absolutely nothing.

3, A one year old example will have a 5 year warranty, extendable to as much as 10 (with servicing done at a Toyota dealer) and you plan to keep the car for 5years. So if you do have the car serviced at the dealer, at no point within your ownership will the car be 'outwith' warranty (i.e, if anything goes wrong, it will be covered by the warranty). So I'm totally baffled as to why you would give serious consideration to having an extra service done out of your own pocket?.

You can Google the first service schedule as I did. The main thing is oil and filter plus a plethora of checks. Otherwise.

1 - Pretty obvious this. Dealer are profiteers so the answer is 'money'.

2 - I don't know as I can't see into the future. I don't want to take the chance.

3 - See (2). People are different and some, like me, prefer to be safe in the knowledge that it has been done whereas others may not be too concerned. I'm in the former category.

Edited by Dingle232 on 02/09/2021 at 15:37

1 - Pretty obvious this. Dealer are profiteers so the answer is 'money'.

Not obvious at all unless you think dealers don't care about their reputation at all. Worst case scenario, they could lose their franchise if it was found out they claimed the first service was done when it (knowingly) wasn't. You really do have a very cynical view of car dealers if you think that is likely to happen over the price of an intermediate service (£100?) when the car is retailing at circa £30k!.

You (I) tend to develop a cynical view ehen it's happened to you (Me) twice before. Equally, I think your view that the cost to them is so low that it doesn't warrant conning punters is pretty naive. It goes on and it's probably more common than we think.

Think about this - the price I have agreed with the dealer was £75 more than I wanted to pay. I stuck to my guns initially and repeatedly asked them to reduce it by the £75 to secure the deal in principle. It wasn't a case where they'd already knocked thousands off so were refusing to go a dime further. Point actually is, they'll do anything they can get away with to save money. They'll tell old ladies who don't know any better that their beloved trade ins are worth significantly less than they are. The reason - because they can and they do.

So if they can save £190 on an initial service in the knowledge that nobody can prove otherwise then you bet they will and if that makes me cynical then cynical it is. It's just reality in this avaricious world we live in.

I have a mate who works in a main dealership and you wouldn't believe me if I told you about some of the shark practices they employ to make sure their targets are met.

2 - I don't know as I can't see into the future. I don't want to take the chance.

3 - See (2). People are different and some, like me, prefer to be safe in the knowledge that it has been done whereas others may not be too concerned. I'm in the former category.

'Taking a chance', is buying an unreliable 2nd hand car outwith warranty. Your are not taking a chance buying a year old Toyota with the remainder of its warranty, from a Toyota dealer, with 'full history'.

Point is, if something goes wrong during your ownership of the car, the warranty will cover it. If something goes wrong during your ownership, due to the 1st service not having been carried out, it isn't going to come back on you because you have proof in the service records that it was done.

So there is literally zero risk, or comeback to you.

No, the point is all about your attitude to risk as with anything and I whilst I'd agree it's low it's not zero because nothing ever is when you are buying vehicles. I know of people who have bought (recently) brand new cars and had elementary things go wrong, only for their loyal dealer to abdicate any responsibility for it at all. 'Sorry Sir that bit's not covered'.

But its your money, if you want to throw it away, it's your choice.

It is and I am not in the habit of throwing it away, just spending to mitigate risk where I feel it's warranted (sic).

Don't trust car dealers blindly. That will be a greater cost in the end than a £190 service.

Edited by Dingle232 on 02/09/2021 at 17:06