Buying a car from M...
 

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Buying a car from Motorpoint

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Off to look at a car at Motorpoint tomorrow and have never bought from one of these large car supermarkets before.
Wondered if there was anything I needed to look out for?


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 2:29 pm
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Motorpoint is great as you get no hard sell and can gather a bunch of keys to look at what you want. Some of the cars are a bit rough around the edges though as most are ex-lease. That's how it was last time I went anyway, a few years ago.

My sister has had a couple of cars from them and has been very impressed.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 2:33 pm
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Out of curiosity I had a look at their website – crikey cars are expensive these days aren't they! £14k for a three year old mid-spec Corsa!


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:05 pm
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Excellent, hassle free experience.

A couple of things to be aware of....

1. Depending on the make, they may not be that much cheaper than main dealers: Hondas were much cheaper, Suzukis not so much.

2. If you see a vehicle you like but would prefer a different colour or spec, check the online stock - odds are they'll be able to get you one from another branch without charge within a couple of days.

3. Make sure the service book has been stamped and they have all the keys, SD cards etc.

Apart from that, all pretty good. I'd use them again. We saved a good few grand.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:22 pm
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2 cars bought from them in last 2yrs, top top experience and cars from both purchases.

Even had to use their warranty which went smoothly too.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:33 pm
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My dad used to work at the Burnley branch behind the scenes for a few years before retirement - good place to work, he'd bought a few cars from there before and whilst he was there.
As above no hassles sales. Can't comment on prices / trade in value etc as I'm not in that buying spectrum.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:38 pm
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We used them* to work out what Mrs Pondo wanted about ten years ago - still got that car, might be time to pop back for a replacement. 🙂

* I say them - it was a mahoosive car supermarket, sit in as many as you want, zero sales pressure, take a few for a drive. It was a good experience. 🙂


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:38 pm
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RustyNissanPrairie
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My dad used to work at the Burnley branch behind the scenes for a few years before retirement – good place to work, he’d bought a few cars from there before and whilst he was there

That's the one we used.
The staff were great.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:42 pm
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crikey cars are expensive these days aren’t they!

Yes.
You could get an e-cargo bike for that... 😉


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 3:45 pm
toby reacted
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That’s the one we used.
The staff were great.

Yeah, my local too. Good bunch.

Out of curiosity I had a look at their website – crikey cars are expensive these days aren’t they! £14k for a three year old mid-spec Corsa!

Yup, have a look at how much 5 year old 3 Series Touring's with a reasonable spec are selling for if you want your eyes to water!


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 5:09 pm
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Another positive vote here. Went to see them last summer after a standard crap Arnold Clark dealer. Was expecting the worst, was very pleasantly surprised! Then they took all my money off me 🙁


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 5:46 pm
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Sorry for repeating the above, but last 2 cars for my wife were from Motorpoint. Zero pressure, very helpful, and stress free purchase.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 8:13 pm
 cb
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My first was many years ago when they truly were cheap. My part-ex was departing the site on the back of a loader before I'd signed the paperwork for the new car! That was odd.

When I took the new car, on fumes, to the nearest fuel station I noticed a gouged alloy. Wasn't there the week before when I reserved the car! Complained, they resisted, I checked the mileage and there was over 100 miles more on the clock than when I reserved it! They caved in at that point and swapped the wheel, obvioulsy been using it themselves.

Still went back many years later and bought my current car. Top spec mondeo estate, 15k on the clock for £14k. Still running it 13 years later! Those prices don't exist anymore...


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 9:58 pm
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We were happy with them, and they gave a better trade in price for the previous car than other car supermarkets or webuyanycar offered. There was an error with our order, and it was sorted out overnight so we would be able to collect the car when wanted rather than have a delay. All good, I'd happily recommend the sheffield branch.


 
Posted : 16/03/2023 10:44 pm
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From someone who has been in the motor trade for 25+ yrs i was very impressed.

Good points
1) Cars were all very well presented.
2) Excellent choice and variety
3) Excellent sales facilities
4) Competitive pricing
5) No real pressure in sales process
6) Excellent trade in vaue

All in all a simple procedure which i would be happy to recommend to family and friends.

However...... Bad Points
1) Sales staff are little more than carphone salespeople. They have very little product knowledge and will fill you full of bullshit. I called the lady on it a few times and in the end asked her not to give me any technical advice as she was dangerously uneducated. She tried to tell me the trip computer was a form of navigation system..... I pointed out only 1 key, she said she would knock £100 off for replacement. I checked, a replacement was £350 minimum. Do your own homework and you will be fine.
2) Zero negotiation on price. Not a penny. If you have a trade in you can negotiate that up a little and play hardball. But they were not for moving on screen price.
3) They are pushy. I said above no real pressure but they know what they are doing. The environment, the repeated calls and the way they talk is designed to pressure you into making that purchase. ALWAYS be willing to walk awayand if you miss out thats just the way it was meant to be.
4) They are very inflexible on missing stuff. Missing stamp in books...tough shit. Missing handbooks.....tough shit. Only 1 key.....tough shit.
5) Warranty - They are selling cars with less than 6 months manufacturers warranty on them and trying to add the cost of warranty ontop if you want extra. You should expect minimum 6 months warranty with any car

In the end i purchased an approved used mini from a mini garage for similar money if not a little less. The deal Motorpoint put together was good but the Mini dealership offered everything motorpoint did plus the the approved used benefits.


 
Posted : 17/03/2023 12:30 pm
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So, an update on this, and I can confirm it was a very easy experience.
Arrived at the agreed time and the car was ready for a view and a test drive. It was exactly as described on the website, no surprises at all.
I asked the question in price due to one of the tyres being a ditch finder and they basically said that it had already been factored in and they don’t negotiate. Which I don’t actually have any issues with.
Purchase was quick and easy, they asked the question on a couple of extras that I politely declined and no more was mentioned.
So yes, really positive, no issues at all.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:19 am

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