Sorry, a bit boring but; we used to buy our cie vans, directors cars and reps cars through a small local car leasing company, and for many years have been very good and valuable clients to them.
Seven years ago (I know), as part of a 'job lot' for the cie, we chose and bought for our personal use a 'brand new' reputable german car wich came from an official dealer in an other part of the country. The car has been maintained for years by the local dealer of the make, we never had a problem with it, and nothing unusual was ever mentioned by them, all running like clockwork.
Of course we paid from our own funds the monthly eye watering leasing fees, so the car is now paid in full, all ours.
Fast forward to 2012, we still have the car and were determined to run it to the end of its life. Having now moved to another part of the country, we have taken it to the local dealer for its MOT, this dealer has, to our astonishment, showed us a few things that are very wrong with the car; it has had a serious crash since the inside frame is badly bended, the front of the car has been badly refited, the front lights are not original maker parts, nor are the screws sealing the engine case. WTF?
On reflection, it has never " smelt" like a brand new car. On the delivery day, I did notice a gap between the front and the main body on the front but the lease man brushed it off as just the way it was, and I was too pleased with my new car and too ignorant to push further.
We know we have not have an accident with this car, or ever lended it to anyone, and it has never been left anywhere for long period of time, but how do you prove something like that?
So, this car we though was new when we bought and paid for it, had in fact previouly been involved in a crash. We contacted the car leasing company and of course never heard a word from them since.
Apart from accepting that we have been had by a crook or two, is there anything at all we can do?
Thank you for reading to the end!