New car acquisition hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped.

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
04/04/2015 at 11:12 • Filed to: None

I got good trade value, the car checked out and I put down a deposit. Unfortunately upon reviewing the documents it appears the car isn't as described.

There are two 1.2 Twingo Expressions made around this time a 1.2 16v with 75hp and a 1.2 8v with 60hp. I was told mine is the 16v but the documents and research suggests this is not the case. While I still like the car, the tax and fuel economy are worse for the 8v so that could cause some issues.

I'm going to ask that they discount it or refund the deposit for this if I prove right and it is the 8v but I can't find out until Tuesday. What do you guys think? Bear in mind I got a pretty below average price and the car appears to be in good shape.

DISCUSSION (26)

Cé hé sin > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:22

If you can prove it's not as described you should be able to get some money off.

In real life the 8 and the 16v will probably have the same or close enough economy.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Cé hé sin
04/04/2015 at 11:25

He said that they might be flexible in regards to covering the tax difference. The only issue I found with the entire car was the engine cover is missing which may suggest it's had some work in the past. But it drives great so I doubt anything is wrong.

Alex B > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:25

If I were in your situation, I would ask for a refund and search for a 16v. If in the long run it'll save you money, do it. I know I would be upset paying more fuel & tax when I could've held out for a bit and found a 16v.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Alex B
04/04/2015 at 11:29

It's easier said than done though, the price I got on this is really good. Plus they gave me way more than the Panda is worth. I'm definitely going to want money off either way, I do have the option for a refund though.

MultiplaOrgasms > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:32

Weight reduction, bro.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:32

buy a good car that wasn't quite what you had hoped. If it's decent, then in 2 weeks you will have forgotten it's the 8v anyway.

If you can get extra money off that's a double win though

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
04/04/2015 at 11:35

Yeah I feel like the best course of action is to try and get some extra cash off. It's already below market average with a pretty enticing trade value for the Panda. I am still in two minds about it though, I think it might be worth sleeping on it.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:36

Ouch. I'd get my money back and keep looking till you find the one you want.

As you said it may not be the one they said it was and the lack of engine cover as you say suggests engine work.

Move on or use it as a bargaining chip and maybe haggle for an extended warranty.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Svend
04/04/2015 at 11:38

I'm guna try and haggle I think, the missing engine cover hopefully is nothing. It only recently got out of warranty and the previous owner bothered to have it serviced and put more expensive OEM tyres on it when they needed replacing.

Svend > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 11:48

Haggle but if it's not what you were wanting then don't be afraid to walk away.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 12:00

Good plan. I would always say buy yo condition, so if it's good, paperwork is good etc then go for it, even if it wasn't what you had your heart set on.

But that's very easy to say from afar :)

Alex B > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 12:36

Oh, very well then. Hope it works out!

Steve in Manhattan > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 12:36

I don't know how they handle it where you live, but I'd demand what was promised. If not, they need to void the transaction and make you whole.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Steve in Manhattan
04/04/2015 at 12:39

They already pledged to fully refund my deposit question free so that's not a problem. They said once it's verified exactly what trim level it is they'll let me either take it at a discount (it's already cheap) or ask for my money back. I have to wait for tuesday though since they're closed for easter the next couple days.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Alex B
04/04/2015 at 12:41

Thanks, me too haha.

Steve in Manhattan > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 12:42

Sounds fair.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
04/04/2015 at 12:44

I think I'll test drive a third time when it's prepared (they're taxing and MOTing it) then make a final decision I think.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 12:48

Why would the tax be different? Just curious about how it works over there. It's not based on the price of the car?

KirkyV > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/04/2015 at 15:25

He's referring to the yearly road tax, which is based on emissions.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 16:05

Yep that sounds like a very good idea. Im sure you would anyway, but just scrawl the paperwork. double check the logbook number matches the chassis number and the engine on it is correct. Im sure everything with it is fine, but just worth the time to check all the numbers match up, if they werent 100% sure what spec it was. What spec does it come out as when you put it in confused.com (other insurance search engines are available)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/04/2015 at 17:27

It's annual and based on CO2 emissions. The 16V has lower CO2 emissions so it costs considerably less.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
04/04/2015 at 17:29

It shows up as the 8 valve in insurance and tax searches, that's how I originally found out.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 17:36

But i guess it said 16v on the advert yes? Bizzare, hopefully just a mistake. are you off test driving it tomorrow, or is it closed for Easter Sunday?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
04/04/2015 at 17:39

It said 16V and £30 tax in the text, but the stats below correctly stated the numbers for the 8 valve (£110 tax 60hp). Theyre closed so I have to wait till tuesday, I've already put 20 miles on it though.

RWS Motorsport > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
04/04/2015 at 17:55

so you've bought it? or was the 20 miles the test drive.

To be honest, their advert is very misleading, so I think your more than entitled to some money back, or trading standards might be very interested.

good luck with it however it goes :)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RWS Motorsport
04/04/2015 at 17:57

That was just the two test drives I took. I'm guna look into it a little more tomorrow.