Is this normal - Car dealer requires deposit before mechanical inspection?

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event2

188 posts

Master Geek

#232207 4-Apr-2018 20:54

After a bit of advise here, I'm looking at purchasing a car from a dealer in another town from me so I would like to get a pre-purchase mechanical inspection done on the vehicle. The dealer has advised that this can be done but requires a $500 deposit and if the inspection is satisfactory I am required to buy. consumerprotection.govt.nz advises to never pay a cash deposit as there is on obligation for the dealer to refund this.

Is this normal? Any advice appreciated.

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Dratsab

3946 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1988462 4-Apr-2018 23:04

Dodgy doesn't even begin to describe this. Send the pro forma invoice back with a letter of rejection. Keep copies of both as they'll probably try and get debt collectors involved. Irrespective of what they may try and say down the track, you have no form of contract with them, just an expression of interest which extends to a pre-purchase mechanical inspection.

To be honest, you should be arranging said inspection anyway, not the seller.

Goosey

2834 posts

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Subscriber

#1988475 5-Apr-2018 06:12

Hmmm

1) dont buy the car from these guys, make sure that pro forma is cancelled as you didnt accept anything prior to suggest you would accept a pro forma.

2) if you ever want pre inspection, always go for the really indepth one and never let your dealer do this themselves

Bung

6496 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1988596 5-Apr-2018 09:47

On the other hand without a deposit there's nothing stopping the dealer selling to anyone who walks in off the street even if your inspection comes through clean. IANAL but I believe your deposit can be made conditional on a satisfactory report.