Buyer beware
Buyer beware – do your own checks before paying a deposit
I would strongly advise prospective buyers to carry out a full independent vehicle history check (e.g. carVertical) before paying a deposit.
The vehicle was advertised as having a “comprehensive service history” and being “cherished”. After placing a deposit and then reviewing the documentation in detail, this did not appear to be the case. No significant service history was made available to support the claim of a comprehensive history.
In addition, the MOT history showed repeated advisories and failures over multiple years, including brakes, suspension and tyres, which is inconsistent with a vehicle described as cherished.
An independent vehicle history report also flagged prior damage, including reference to structural elements, which was not disclosed or highlighted by the dealer at the point of sale.
Ultimately, I chose not to proceed due to the gap between how the car was advertised and what the independent checks revealed. Unfortunately, the discussion around refunding the deposit was handled poorly and no refund was offered.
This review is not written lightly, but to encourage other buyers to:
Carry out full history checks before paying a deposit
Ask to see actual service records, not just verbal assurances
Review MOT history carefully
Do your due diligence early to avoid a similar experience.