Buying ex-demo or cars owned by the dealer [Archive] - VW Audi Forum - The #1 Volkswagen (VW) Forum Dedicated to the whole Volkswagen (VW) Group

Gee_Hee

23-08-2011, 06:08 PM

I'm looking at a A4 S-line 2.0 TDi (10 plate) which I'm interested in and asked the dealer today (over the phone) how many owners it has had, he replied "just the one owner..... owned by Audi"

The car has done 20,000 in 18 months, probably just about average for a 'used' diesel engine car and with that sort of mileage it kind of suggests that it was used on long trips on the motorway or A roads

I very much doubt its a ex-demo unless the dealer where letting people out on 1000 mile demonstrations! lol. I also doubt its a ex-service/loan car for customers, cant see them using a fairly high spec S-Line as a courtesy car.
So I'm figuring the car more likely was by one of their 'regional managers' to travel between sites??. Obviously I'll ask more details when I go to see it and give it a right good drive to see how it feels.

So I've been thinking whether I'm still keen on the car...I think I am.

Anyone else bought an ex-demo or audi-owned used car before? Did you have any issues with it?

I think the worse that could happen is it being totally mistreated and ragged from cold. Taking this worse case scenario, what sort of issues could this cause latter down the line for a diesel?

Car will still have a 18 months warranty on it, so any immediate problems 'should' be covered

Guest 2

23-08-2011, 07:03 PM

Audi Uk supply high spec cars for courtesy cars. I had a fully loaded A8, A4 and mos recently a Q5.

Just look out and see what the reg starts with. If it's OV or OY it may be an Audi Hire car so wath out.

More than likely it's been a Exec's car or managers. But ask anyway.

vince70

23-08-2011, 07:08 PM

I bought a smart roadster a few years ago which was an ex demo with 5900 on the clock, I had the car for 3 years.
It had a couple of problems which I got sorted out under manufacturers warranty, but none of the problems I had were anything to do with it being a demo and I got my car sorted out at a merc dealer which was local to me.

All the problems I had were to do with the fact it was a badly built car, With a well built car like an Audi I cant see your going to get any problems, but I got my demo for less than half price of a new one so just make sure you get a good discount.

ceegee

23-08-2011, 09:14 PM

My current car 'OE' reg was an Audi UK car and the one before it also an Audi car 'OV' (C6 A6). The last car was great with only a few niggles all sorted out under warranty. My current car, again has been great (touch wood!!). OV had done 13K miles when I got it and was about a year old from memory and was an ex Audi UK Staff Car. Current car had done 3k miles in 3 months and was the Sales Manager's choice of transport from new and had been looked after (age 50+ and bought my last 3 cars off him!).
As A6_Chris says ask how they came by it. I've found you get more car for your buck with these motors and as long as you check over the car carefully to make sure it hasn't been abused (parking dings, scratches & scuffs, all the rubber matches etc etc)you'll be fine.

Guest 2

23-08-2011, 09:21 PM

If you ever come across OV10NZJ, ask about the bodywork fixed on the back bumper as someone scuffed it quite serious before I got it. Also it had a chunk out of the front nearside rim and a cd stuck in the cd player.

I completed 2000 miles in it and it never missed a beat. I gave it back with 11k and Audi only keep their cars for a year then sell them so it may be out there somewhere.

Do ask what it was use for definitely and as long as it's under warranty and you get some £££ off the price then go for it.

Gee_Hee

24-08-2011, 12:29 AM

I viewed the car last weekend, dealer was closed at the time so had a decent look around it. The car was close to A1 condition and probably the best I've seen so far for in comparison to some poorly kept MY2010's, this is why I was suprised to hear it was previously owned by Audi as I would have expected at least a few minor dents and scuffs but it has none, and alloys were A1 with plenty of tread. Only thing was a small stone chip on the bonnet but that's it. Obviously the car was lock but from the outside the interior looked clean. I've seen a few MY2010 Audi's on the forecourts that have been resprayed so will look out for this as it seems abit too good to be true for this to be in the condition that its in, got someone coming down with me who's got a keen on eye on panel work

If it was used by a Sale Execs and it drives great then I'll make an offer, however I'd think again if its been used as a rental or courtesy car. Just doesn't feel right knowing its been used by various people lol

Shall dig abit deeper tomorrow :-)

jakerade

24-08-2011, 07:45 AM

if its owned by "Audi" its either a long term warranty loaner for people like me to crash, or a rental car - i picked up one (new A6) from Europcar with "Audi UK" on the number plate. Just make sure if doesnt have "Press Fleet" on the number plate....

OE60 NWZ should be ok when they put a new wing, bumper and light on it

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?122980-Do-you-think-this-will-polish-out

jakerade

24-08-2011, 07:46 AM

Audi UK cars all start with an "O" prefix on the number plate, registered in milton keynes

Guest 2

24-08-2011, 08:43 AM

I'm sure they were pleased at that! :biglaugh:

Guest 2

24-08-2011, 08:55 AM

a rental car - i picked up one (new A6) from Europcar with "Audi UK" on the number plate.

That reminds me, when I was staying in Scotland, there was a rental A4 estate in the hotel car park (Enterprise tax disc holder gave it away) and it's reg started FT10 but it had Audi Uk wrote on the bottom but it wasn't the usual layout Audi use ie, it had a black border and the fact it started FT.

Maybe they try and disguise that it isn't a rental so when they sell it on people think they're getting ex-Audi when they're really getting ex-rental.

Audi Nick

24-08-2011, 09:02 AM

I would suggest that you can buy with confidence. Until I moved to buying new (forced on me by the long list of extra's) I always used to buy from the lot all ex demo's etc and all with around 15k on the clock.

The Audi warranty was first class and the problems I had were no different to those experienced in buying new. Remember of course that the car you are buying is not new and so depending on the mileage you proposed to do (I do loads) the warranty (which is age and mileage based) will run out quite quickly.

My old car with 98k on the clock had immaculate wheels and with the exception of some stone chips on the bonnet, immaculate body work too. Don't be to mistrusting of a perfect car, there are a lot of owners like me who take a great deal of pride in driving a quality car and genuinely look after them.

Good luck.

robtt09

24-08-2011, 02:12 PM

Not so long ago was at York station and there was upwards of six A4 hire cars waiting for punters. Get it in writing the car has not been used for hire from the dealer.On the cars, I was interested to note "Audi UK" on all the number plates, not the hirer name which ,from memory, was Hertz. Hope this helps

Issac Hunt

24-08-2011, 05:59 PM

They don't all start with O (oxford). My last car was an ex-manages and started with K. Thats Luton/Northampton. (I know Audi UK is in Milton Keynes)

Not all ex-audi cars will have been mis-treated. I've lots of company cars over the years and have treated them all as if they were my own.

Gee_Hee

24-08-2011, 06:23 PM

My goodness, my minds been going back and forth today about this car. One minutes I'm confident its been 'looked' after then next having imagines of it being an ex-rental or ex-management and being ragged left right and center.

So... I rang up the dealer today and they couldnt give me any further details on the car other than it was bought/transferred from another site and I'd was free to call the previous dealer for further information. Thought this was abit straight as I would have expected the dealer to have at least some idea as what it was previously used for or at least found out. So I rang up the previous dealer that owned it but all they could confirm was that it was serviced with them back earlier on in the year (march/April) at 20k miles. So going by my figures, the car did approx 20k miles in its 12 months, got serviced by the previous dealer, was transferred to another site, and was then put on the forecourt and the extra few hundred miles since its service have been from several test drives (just my theory). So I think the car has been on the forecourt for a few months, 2-3 at least I recon which got me thinking as to why it has been sold yet. Maybe previous owners managed to find out the truth about the car and was put off, or the price was way too much for a car that had little history or they found out from another saleman that it was actually a ex-{hire/demo/management} car

I think whats put me off the most is the not knowing. If the sale person said 'yeah, it was registered here and used by so and so' then fair enough, I could at least make an informed decision however I cant do that if I dont know what the car has previously been used for. In my eyes, and without having the required information, the car should be considered as a ex-{hire/demo/management} car and therefore should be discounted further.... however, the current dealer can play blind to this and say 'it was owned by Audi' and cant prove its been ex-{hire/demo/management} and therefore I'm selling it as a 'normal' used car.

This is a big purchase for me and I want to be confident of the car from the off. In this case, I'm already worrying about car before I've even bought it... and for that reason, I'm out

Thanks for everyone's input on this though, learnt alot! .. and for the record, I aint against ex-{hire/demo/management} cars if the owner is fully aware of that fact before hand

John140

24-08-2011, 09:18 PM

My current car 'OE' reg was an Audi UK car.

My A4 Avant is also an OE ex Audi corporate car. To be honest it was as-new all around with only 4.5k miles on it and many extras. I have not found as much as an atom out of place in the 4 months I've had the car. It definately dont think it was a demonstrator, and whoever had it used the isofix child seat adapters in the back at some stage. So the logic would dictate little kids in the car - car not driven aggressively ??

robtt09

25-08-2011, 08:44 AM

Right decision. Audi management cars are only used for a few months then sold at" closed auction" to the dealers.Will always have low low miles. My best friends son works at BMW head office and gets a new car every twelve weeks or so ! They tend to be less popular models but always have really good spec.

MarkBS

25-08-2011, 09:58 AM

Hi, buying an ex-demo car (like I did) does normally give you a good spec at a reasonable price...mine was 4k under the 'list price' with all the options on it. The dealer I purchased it from said they keep their demo cars for max 6 months/5,000 miles and then they are put up for sale. You get a nearly new car much cheaper and not having to pay the 20% VAT is always a good move.
Mark

Audi Nick

25-08-2011, 11:38 AM

Gee Hee walk away and forget about that particular car.

A number of years ago I wanted the then A4 quattro 1.9 saloon and not being in the new car market, I was left with looking at a used car having the luxury of course of it being an 'Audi Approved' one.

There were fews cars around then but because of the audi site I was able to keep an eye out and it was amazing that different garages I spoke to kept my details on file and they too kept an eye out. In summary after 3 weeks I found the car I wanted with the right colour and as a result I did a deal over the phone and the first time I saw the actual car was when I picked it up.

As a buyer of both new and used Audi cars, take it from me that there is no real difference between buying used and new. I did not see my latest car until I took delivery of it and neither did I see my (now very old) 1.9 quattro.

Trust the brand and let your fingers do the walking (think I heard that somewhere before) by using the pc to find the right car. Remember that when you go to collect (and pay for) the car you can always say no, if it has not been accurately presented.

In relation to the car you are or were looking at, please walk away now and do not look back.

Good luck in your search, you will find what you are looking for but remember to take your time and keep a cool head.

Gee_Hee

26-08-2011, 05:23 PM

Yeah the search continues. Went to have a look at another one today. Car was a 2011 with 6k on the clock so knew it would be an ex-demo.

I spoke to the saleperson who, without me even asking, said 'yeah, it an ex-demo of ours'. It took use a while to find the car, it was actually in the customers car park. Saleperson went off to find out what was going on with it and found out that the car was heading off to be auctioned as they only keep their cars for 60 days before they get hit on tax/legal 'stuff' (not sure how true that was but didnt feel like he was using that as a pressure mechanism).

I must admit, the saleperson was top draw. Didnt feel pressured into buying and took a lot of time with me even though it was clear that the ex-demo they had didnt tick all my boxes (sadly). Even so, the salesperson let us have a good look round the ex-demo anyway and whilst he went over mine for a part-ex valuation. We popped back inside and then spent another 15-20 minutes going through what spec I was after, colour etc, and he said that they get their cars from 'Audi {something, it might have been Audi UK}' and would contact them to see whether they had any A4's that matched my spec and then get back in touch with me.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I think I would be happy buying an ex-demo or ex-audi car if the dealer was honest about it (seems to be a BIG ask with some of the dealers) and could provide some basic information on what it was used for. I felt this particular saleperson was straight with me from the off and willing to put in some leg-work to find a suitable car and work for the sale - then again he could actually be a 'shark in disgust', and if so, then fair play as he has truly got me caught lol.

dombert03

31-08-2011, 09:36 AM

Bought an ex dealer A4 Avant TDI with 4k. It was dealer registered not Audi UK. It had some small damage to the front bumper which they fixed before delivery. 3 years and 45k later the only problem has been the clutch which has just been replaced under no quibble warranty. I understand this is a general problem and was not related to early mistreatment.

Volvo used to offer large quantities of 6 month old cars as a method of "discounting" the list price. These were registered by Volvo but went into rental fleets. For this reason I prefer to buy a dealer registered car rather than a manufacturer registered one.

Sportwag

05-09-2011, 11:45 PM

Many of the "O" Oxford registered cars are used as business demonstrators - they are delivered/collected all around the country and used for 2-3 days or more by prospective test pilots. The good news is that they are kept in good condition - any repairs are carried out before the car is sent to back out. I had one booked and it was damaged so they offered me an S4 :-) if you are not fussy about the paint (mine was swirled to hell with only 1100 miles), they make a reasonable buy when sold through dealers as Audi Approved. Some of dealers operate Audi Taxis - cars that are continually doing collections and drop offs for owners whilst their cars are being serviced. Proceed with caution - lower mileage is better and check condition of interior trim for scrapes and scuffs.

SteveDinz

14-09-2011, 08:15 PM

My A4 Avant was dealer owned from new. I got it with 5k on the clock, and 3 months old. I've not had a peep out of it in the 2.5 months I've had it, and the best bit was the 8.5k saving on the equivalent list price :)

I wouldn't hesitate at all, as long as the price & spec are what you're happy with... Go for it!

Guest 2

18-04-2012, 07:36 PM

Thought I would bump this up as one of the latest courtesy cars is currently up for sale by Belfast Audi.

Lovely car, pity it wasn't before they done remedial work on it - Large dent on the OSF wing, every alloy wheel kerbed badly, the two front tyres were near enough bald when I had it (two new Goodyear Eagle's on it now) and the biggest thing I noticed on the ad - the mileage. Hmm, it might be a misprint at 10,920 but I have a picture of the dash showing 15k the day before I gave it back ... what?

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz90/57_audi/Courtesy%20Cars/a4avant/IMG001.jpg

Pic showing 12k, I have the 15k on my phone
http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz90/57_audi/Courtesy%20Cars/a4avant/IMG009.jpg

Sportwag

18-04-2012, 08:49 PM

[QUOTE=A6_Chris;712812]Hmm, it might be a misprint at 10,920 but I have a picture of the dash showing 15k the day before I gave it back ... what? [QUOTE]

Tempted to enquire about it? I would be very dubious about buying a used Audi this way as many are used as glorified Taxis (pick ups and drop offs) which means they have a fairly hard life before being sold on. Was in one of their new black A6's recently with a garish lemon coloured leather trim and it was filthy. Would have to be very low mileage, immaculate inside and out and checked over with a paint depth guage before I would put my name to one!

Guest 2

18-04-2012, 09:02 PM

I'm up on Saturday so I may go and have a peek around it and see. Maybe go a test drive too!

I had that particular car 2 months due to a mess up by Mr U.

IMHO that car was battered and bruised, had lots of swirls and generally in bad condition all round.

The one hire car I definitely would've bought was OJX which was a Q5 Sline with 4k on the clock at the time, very nice motor.

I see they have a '12 plate Q5 sitting and a few '61 plate cars too with their advertising plastered on the back the last time I was up.

Sportwag

18-04-2012, 09:14 PM

I see they have a '12 plate Q5 sitting and a few '61 plate cars too with their advertising plastered on the back the last time I was up.

They have a tendency to leave english plates on sales demonstrators and "taxis" so the purchaser can choose a brand new NI plate (hides the used car appearance). For some reason my loaner was registered in Edinburgh then brought to Belfast - expect there will be more Audi "tourism" now they are a part of Synter Group.

Guest 2

18-04-2012, 09:23 PM

And all the english registered cars will come with a new V5 saying no previous owners when registered over here so there's no evidence it ever was registered to Audi UK.

That purchase came out of the blue didn't it? I didn't hear an exact figure but I assume its quite a few Mil for the Agnew brothers!

Maybe now they'll bring in more exotic courtesy cars now that they can source them from elsewhere.

CeeTee

19-04-2012, 08:29 AM

Have to say I got an ex-Audi UK, Milton-Keynes owner/registered, A6 in 2008 from Belfast and I have to say it was a great car for me. 13,600 mls when I got it, 2 years old and never had a problem with it except both main dealer and indy garages looking for an arm and a leg for any work and making up issues to get my cash.

Sportwag

21-04-2012, 12:37 AM

CeeTee

21-04-2012, 01:26 AM

It was a no brainer for me at the time as € vs £ rate was good at the time and the UK market was in the toilet, not so much now, and would still have it if some scrotes had not broken in and got the keys. Picking up a 2009 A4 2.0 TDI SE later on today and fingers crossed it will give me as much pleasure and as little hassle as the A6.

onemanparty

21-04-2012, 02:53 PM

Audi Uk supply high spec cars for courtesy cars. I had a fully loaded A8, A4 and mos recently a Q5.

Just look out and see what the reg starts with. If it's OV or OY it may be an Audi Hire car so watch out.

OV / OY means they have been demos in the main - KY / KM are Audi UK Management Cars

skymaster

26-04-2012, 12:10 AM

I guess it stands to reason that if used as an Audi loan car it would get washed every few days by someone who doesn't give a monkeys about paint work... hence the swirls... I had my A4 booked into the body shop for a three stage machine polish and clay bar treatment.. came out with no swirls and paint that looked almost new... needed doing as it was black...

Guest 2

15-06-2012, 09:23 PM

OV11FJC now sold - good luck to the new owner! ;)

I had a good month and a half with it! :D

Guest 2

16-10-2012, 02:47 PM

Sportwag

16-10-2012, 03:23 PM

KIG5753 (KIG 5753) is now for sale with 5,000 miles on the clock

No info yet on the advert so I assume its only been placed for sale so expect pics and details soon

My thread - My 2012 A5 Sportback Courtesy Car! (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?134584-My-2012-A5-Sportback-Courtesy-Car!&highlight=a5*+courtesy)

Used Car Advert - http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a5/2.0-tdi-177-ps-se/belfast/602571615-40591.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_si_

I've had KIG5753 - think I added approx 350 miles. It changed my perception of the 5dr A5 (from an impractical, pointless and over priced modern equivalent of a Rover 800 Fastback to a fairly stunning, impractical, over priced modern equivalent of a Rover 800 Fastback). My A4 S-Line is better spec'd and I noticed quite a few A5 owners driving around with DLRs turned off (no xenons). The 170bhp was significantly better than my 143. I even removed the bird excrement that was on it when I collected as I know the damage it does to Audi paint!

Guest 2

16-10-2012, 03:28 PM

I had it when it just ticked over 2000 miles - I added about 500.

I liked it because as you say, I thought it was impractical and stupid but I ended up thinking the same as you.

I enjoyed the engine - pulled like a train and it felt as fast as my A6 although this was because it is significantly lighter.

I saw it down Main Street at the Winsome Lady with the DRLs off so someone has been fiddling in the CAR menu.

I polished and waxed the car one afternoon as the Ballybogey line made it very dirty - even with only 2k on the clock it was ridden with swirl marks.

Wonder why its been taken off the fleet so early? They usually keep them on until about 15k.

Sportwag

16-10-2012, 03:34 PM

It was probably me. I turned them off - hate the naff yellowish halogens. I also noticed something strange about the tax disc (it was either low or zero rated) which I meant to raise when I left it back but forgot. It did make me check the emissions (build sheet in Glove Box and it definately is a fully polluting 170bhp!

Guest 2

16-10-2012, 03:41 PM

I remember seeing a child seat in the rear the time I saw it - caught up with it on the Newbridge Rd when I was going to Coleraine where I got a quick snap then whoever was driving pelted it down the dual carraigeway ;)

I think it was free for the first year? Audi are saying Co2 is 120g/km which relates to £30/year.

Definitely a 177 and I remember seeing the build sheet and other bits in the glovebox although disappointingly the iPhone AMI cable was missing.

John140

17-10-2012, 09:50 AM

Guest 2

11-12-2012, 02:41 PM

OV11OJX / OV11 OJX now for sale in Birmingham Audi

Loved that car, if I could I would buy it but would want an auto 3.0TDi again but wouldn't refuse it in a heartbeat.

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/vehicle.aspx?wflw=se_na_ve_vi&ctr=1492039&vhl=602753804&srcmdc=se_na_re_

Price seems a bit steep for 23k miles though :confused:

my thread - Q5 Courtesy Car (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?122603-Q5-Courtesy-Car)

Guest 2

21-01-2013, 06:09 PM

The A5 has now sold .. Wonder if the new owner was told it was "ex management" :D

Sportwag

21-01-2013, 11:21 PM

I bought a MY 2010 A4 Avant with an OE reg. It had 4600 miles on it and on close inspectyion was A1 perfect. Never had any problems other than condensation in headlight which was fixed under warranty. Oddly enough I noticed that the previous user had used the ISOFIX child seat fastening points which is an even better sign, ie young kids = sensible driver.

Audi run a fleet of cars (registered to Audi UK) as business and press demonstrators. The cars I had out were from their logistics company near Oxford and they typically keep them on the fleet for between 2,500 - 6,000 miles before ending up as Audi Approved. These cars are used for extended test drives and so will have a different driver every few days. I had an A6 Sline and an A4 Sline driven 500 miles (via ferry) to N.I. and on both occasions the drivers flew back! Both cars were driven through the night and dropped off at 8am (via the local car wash). The driver informed me that they always put a few miles on a press car before handover to check for rattles or defects. The cars are checked thoroughly (repaired if necessary) before they are sent out - one of the cars due to be sent to me was damaged by the previous test pilot and so I was offered an S4 with the option to have the "right" car sent later - I declined the offer as I couldn't justify the waste in sending a 3rd car (that I definitely wouldn't be ordering) to NI and back! It worked though as I ordered an A4 in the same colour as the demo car with the same spec!

Guest 2

28-01-2013, 04:22 PM

Igloo

28-01-2013, 05:30 PM

How *do* you go through so many courtesy cars Chris? :)

Guest 2

28-01-2013, 05:55 PM

How *do* you go through so many courtesy cars Chris? :)

Just over the years I've had the A6 really. 4 years this April :approve:

First was a A8L Sport
A4 S-Line Special Edition 3.0 TDi quattro
S4 Saloon (only for a day :()
Q5 S-Line Special Edition
A4 Avant S-Line
A5 S-Line Cab
A5 Sportback SE
A6 SE

Ill be getting double the cars now as I have the A3 too.

Rather than rushing and waiting around for a service etc I just ask for a courtesy car and collect when it's ready.

:D

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2