Fraudulent dealers

undercover1

I've been doing some research for some news stories I'd like to publish about imported cars, car clocking and fraudulent car spec advertising. While trawling through cars today I found 1 imported car being sold be 3 different dealership with each one listing different mileage and 1 dealership advertising a higher spec than the car actually is.

Here's the cars:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=424996


http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=424384


http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=417621


I found this pretty interesting and sent an email, see below....

"I would like to enquire about the 2004 Toyota Celica VVTI 190BHP (AS
NEW, UNMARKED) 1.8 Petrol (ref. 88) - False advertising, this celica isn't
190bhp - the 190 models are VVTL-i engines and the rev counter goes to 9000 instead of 8 and they have an oval exhaust, not a round one."

and here's the resposne I got.....

"Inbox: celica
From: per4mancecarz@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: CarZone Website - USED CAR Query

go **** yourself u prick "

road_high

Charming response there, wouldn't exactly encourage me to go buy a car off them!!

As for the ads, I'd say they're diifernet cars, just the dealers using the same pictures maybe.

crosstownk

I don't think thats the textbook way to "nail down a sale"!!

Cheeky fcuker. I wouldn't be too inclined to make a purchase from that shower.

jayok

Showing their true colours as a dealer I think. I would post their reponse on an Irish motoring boards I could fine TBH.

Don't know if you would get very far with the False Advertising thing though as "you honour it was a simple technical mistake". However you tried to correct them. This goes on so much in the Dealership that deal with Jap cars as the spec varies so much with the European models. You could call the Advertising Standards Body and see what they say.

ncc98071

that is some cheek of them,a lot of them Japanese imports look dodgy to me so they do.prefer irish or UK models any day of the week.more peace of mind with them.,That is my opinion anyway.

The_Magoo

Not the most well considered reply, however your approach wasnt exactly subtle. Personally it would perhaps have been better to ask if the car pictured was the one for sale, or just library pictures. If they are library pics, then ask if they could email pics of the genuine article, just a suggestion.

undercover1

mfitzy wrote:

Charming response there, wouldn't exactly encourage me to go buy a car off them!!

As for the ads, I'd say they're diifernet cars, just the dealers using the same pictures maybe.

If this is the cars you must specify that the photo is for illustration purposes only.

undercover1

The_Magoo wrote:

Not the most well considered reply, however your approach wasnt exactly subtle. Personally it would perhaps have been better to ask if the car pictured was the one for sale, or just library pictures. If they are library pics, then ask if they could email pics of the genuine article, just a suggestion.

I wasn't trying to be subtle, I wanted to see the reaction thy'd give when caught out.

The_Magoo

undercover1 wrote:

I wasn't trying to be subtle, I wanted to see the reaction thy'd give when caught out.

Granted, but if you try to hold them responsible, they can state they are library pics, however if they do confirm that the pictures shown are of the car in question, then you can nail them, stating fraudulent advertising. I thought that all advertising was "invitation to treat" and as such can be withdrawn by the seller at any stage. Or is that just pricing?

Stephen

I've seen lots of dodgy looking cars from that pr1ck on carzone over the last few months. How much would you bet that he's trading without being registered for vat?

Litcagral

The ad states 17,703 km but the odometer appears to read 19,545!

road_high

This could be all the one operation selling the same cars; note how all the addresses are the same i.e. Eastwall Rd in Dublin.

crosstownk

It all sounds very suspect to me. I'd keep well clear - just in case!

Stephen

That's within (or right beside) Dublin port afaik. Probably selling them right out of the containers!

undercover1

Stephen wrote:

I've seen lots of dodgy looking cars from that pr1ck on carzone over the last few months. How much would you bet that he's trading without being registered for vat?

I know, he is a dealer I've kept my eye on.

Eoin

Stephen wrote:

That's within (or right beside) Dublin port afaik. Probably selling them right out of the containers!

Yup - right beside the Port. I used to work out there, and it's just massive car parks full of performance Jap imports.

JohnCleary

I think you should email this thread to him...

PERFORMANCE CARZ DUBLIN SUCKS lol...

I'm gonna forward this thread onto CruiseIRL and RacersHaven ....

mike65

Interesting and while my first instinct was to close and bin this thread I think those ads are pretty damning, trading under mutliple aliases is deffo dodgy and I would'nt mind speculating that none of them are to be found on his vat returns.

He also has at least 5 mobile numbers.

I imagine there are a number of peeps who have bought from him who might catch this thread so any feedback welcome.

Mike.

Stephen

I doubt this **** is legal:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413722

Selling a 1.3 turbo with "Glanza 1.3 TURBO, NICEST IN THE REPUBLIC!!!1.3 on book"

upsfan

They are clearly not library pics.

Kimbot

It is Legal mate!! The car is only a 1.3!! If you want valid insurance you have to inform them that its a turbo!!

JohnCleary

Stephen wrote:

I doubt this **** is legal:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413722

Selling a 1.3 turbo with "Glanza 1.3 TURBO, NICEST IN THE REPUBLIC!!!1.3 on book"

Perfectly legal. The CC is correct on the log book.

It's upto the person who buys it to insure it as a turbo

ToxicPaddy

Thats the type of guy you would love to see on TV.
First on Prime Time, then Crime Line and finally on the 6 o'clock news coming out of court in handcuffs!!!

Tox

smash

Only illegal if the declare the wrong engine size, but I think you have to declare all the extras for VRT. There was someone declaring a skyline 2.6 as a 2.0 on the book last week. Different dealer I think.

prospect

Stephen wrote:

I doubt this **** is legal:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413722

Selling a 1.3 turbo with "Glanza 1.3 TURBO, NICEST IN THE REPUBLIC!!!1.3 on book"

Stated mileage, and photo of odometer do not match up on this car either.

delly

There was another thread recently about this guy. Check the stated mileage versus the pictures in the following links:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=412983
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=403938

'Would sir like a haircut?'

JohnCleary

prospect wrote:

Stated mileage, and photo of odometer do not match up on this car either.

lol

Stephen

Do they not have to declare the fact that it has a turbo to the vrt too?

5500

JohnCleary wrote:

Perfectly legal. The CC is correct on the log book.

If its non stated as tubo on the logbook then its been vrt'd incorrectly - ie hes saved maby a grand by regging it as a granny starlet.

From what im aware theres alot of these companies are infact 1 actual company down in the docks but they use spin off names and change them frequently

AlanD

Ha....this lad is a chancer.

Check this one out:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=413861

mileage quoted as 11,000 but odometer shows 112,000...what a muppett.

ButcherOfNog

Rule 1. Never buy a "trade" car from someone listing just mobile numbers.

However, thats not saying theres anything dodgy about the cars. They are newly imported from Japan and are different specs, two are listed as having CD players, the other one isn't. They are quite possibly 3 different cars, or ads that the pictures don't match the vehicle, there'd be plenty of Celicas down in the docks just in from Japan.

And the original poster was not enquiring to buy a car, from the mail its obvious you have no interest in buying, just pointing out what may have been a mistake.

Theres also no mention anywhere that a warranty is available, which if they are just reselling the imports, you'd expect as much.

One of the companies listed is a registered company, so you may well be mixing up someone whos trading properly with others that aren't.