Used Car Expert investigates online car retailer, Car Site.
“We’re not a car dealer, we’re not a car supermarket, we’re not even an online supermarket.” So says Karen Rotberg, co-founder of Car Site.
Click here to find the cheapest cars in the UK
So how is it different?
Well, first of all, they don’t do the car inspection. They have the RAC do it so that you know it is entirely independent and they haven’t cut any corners.
The only main dealer used approved programme that does that is Ford, with their Ford Direct scheme. Even then, not all main dealer cars are ‘Ford Direct’ so won’t have had this inspection.
Click here to visit Car Site’s website ‘Car Deal Direct’
Car Site also work on a small flat fee from the fleet companies, so there is not the same incentive for them to put prices up – it doesn’t increase their margin as it does for almost all other car sales outfits.
Their handover centre is very pleasant and professional. A long way from flash, but reassuring, rather than rough and ready. They tell me they bought all the furniture on eBay – they are trying to pass the savings on to the consumer after all. eBay is also where they sell most of their cars.
As well as lots of photographs on the website they give you copies of the RAC inspection and the HPI check. All the cars have 6 – 9 months M.O.T. The service histories are checked to ensure important things like cam belts are changed.
Looking at the variety of cars available, they all seem to be at rock-bottom prices (or if you check our price guide, our ‘best’ price). But that doesn’t mean you should log on and buy the first one you see, though. For example there is a 2005 3-door Volkswagen Golf for sale at the time of writing. It is being auctioned, but will probably sell for around £7,000.
This is a relatively rare car and looks fantastic in the pictures. But closer inspection of the website shows you a picture in the RAC report of bodywork damage. Whereas the one I found at a main dealer for £900 more doesn’t have that. So it’s a question of whether this bothers you and if it does, do you pay for a re-spray? If you do, will the wing colour match the rest for the bodywork? Will it cost more than the £900?
But, then there are nearly new cars, still in warranty. Like the 2007 Saab 1.9 Tdi where the RAC have had to really nick-pick to point out a bit of a minor scuff on one alloy. This example is not far off average mileage and carries a reserve of £13,100.
Our ‘Private - Fair’ target price range (which I have just double checked) is £14,434 - £17,478. As there are not that many private cars on the market at present and this car is in perfect condition, you are going to struggle to get one anywhere else at £1,300 less than our ‘Private’ price. This is a classic example of what we mean when we quote our ‘best’ price. Where is the catch? I don’t think there is one.
They will deliver it to your door with 5 days insurance, RAC and HPI reports and if its not as described, there is a 100% money back guarantee. Given the lengths Car Site go to, you would be churlish not to consider buying a car from them.
Which is why I have endorsed their Car Deal Driect website – click here to see
Summary
A fantastic service for nearly new cars, with the potential to pick up a bargain on older cars too. But you need to do your homework.
Checklist
- Compare Car site cars with those at dealers
- Do the cars have road tax?
- How long are the MOTs?
- What is the real average mileage for that car?
FAQs
How is it different from Autoquake?
Autoquake do some of the inspection work themselves and some at a local repairer, rather than have the RAC do it. Cars only have a minimum of 3 months MOT rather than 6.
How is it different from a main dealer?
The differences depend on which main dealer approved programme you are comparing the service to. However, as a general rule, the main dealer cars are prepared to ensure that there are no bodywork problems whatsoever, wear items like brakes and tyres are often changed earlier than necessary and all the safety recalls should have been completed. There is usually a 12-month warranty and other protections against breakdown.
To compare a specific used approved programme click here.
Words: Matthew Tumbridge