Purchasing ex demo

[K3LVC]

I've just taken delivery of an ex demo C270cdi from Mercedes in London. Loads of fun (read hassle) with dealer but to cap it all I've just received the log book back from DVLA to find that my 05/54 9k 'ex demo' was actually registered to a private individual and not DCUK (as my previous car in same circumstances was) - is this normal/a new way of doing things or have I been taken for a ride ?

 

[cubicincubi]

when I was looking at C70 Convertibles the dealership principal had a top spec one which was a demonstrator registered to him which I was offered at a discounted rate over a new model. I assumed he had bought it with a substantial discount and would make a profit either way. I also assumed that car salemen would have taken it home and abused it. Therefore I decied against it.

I'm not suggesting this has happened to you, just recounting my experience.

Perhaps it may serve to call them and clarify the situation.

 

[television]

I've just taken delivery of an ex demo C270cdi from Mercedes in London. Loads of fun (read hassle) with dealer but to cap it all I've just received the log book back from DVLA to find that my 05/54 9k 'ex demo' was actually registered to a private individual and not DCUK (as my previous car in same circumstances was) - is this normal/a new way of doing things or have I been taken for a ride ?

.

So really you do not know if this has been a problem car

You could get in touch with the previous owner and talk to him.

If you do not want the car you can back it on the grounds of misleading info at the time of purchase.

malcolm

 

[jberks]

If they sold it as a genuine Ex demo then you have grounds for returning it, if that is, there is any reason to. I have bought 2 1 year old MBs in recent years. Neither was described as a demo. The first turned out to have originated near London. It looked clean initially but over time I started to notice slight imprefections and I am pretty sure it had suffered accident damage at some time, with a door and wing being replaced. That said, I had it for 60k and 5 years with no problems and the only real tell-tale (a missing seal) was immediatley remedied by the dealer.
This one again wasn't described as a demo but when I got the log book, the only name was the dealers. This one is mint though.

Demo is neither a good or bad thing. A demo can be thrashed by prospective owners and been used as a loan car. It also doesn't guarantee a decent history. My only misgiving on mine was that it was 4k over its service interval. A privatley owned one can have been cherished, and simply sold due to changing circumstances so in some ways it could be good news. Unless you have genuine misgivings about the car, I'd be happy enough, though I may still ring the previous owner, if only to ensure it wasn't a repurchased dog.

 

[DC_insider]

I've just taken delivery of an ex demo C270cdi from Mercedes in London. Loads of fun (read hassle) with dealer but to cap it all I've just received the log book back from DVLA to find that my 05/54 9k 'ex demo' was actually registered to a private individual and not DCUK (as my previous car in same circumstances was) - is this normal/a new way of doing things or have I been taken for a ride ?

This could be correct.

I work for DCUK but my cars are registered in my own name at my own address.

Cars are registered this way as it allows the employee to be provided with a car under a lease agreement that is exempt from company car taxation.

I suspect that this car was run by an employee of MB London that did not work at a dealership (e.g. Regional Manager) and that this car was not used for customer demonstrations (as jberks points out above this may not be a bad thing).

 

[DC_insider]

I've just received the log book back from DVLA to find that my 05/54 9k 'ex demo' was actually registered to a private individual

Cars are registered this way as it allows the employee to be provided with a car under a lease agreement that is exempt from company car taxation.

I missed your point about the mileage in your post. Under the terms of the scheme I mentioned in my first post the cars are run for 9 months or 9,000 miles, whichever comes first - so this looks like it could be covered by this scheme.

Perhaps K3LVC could PM me the name on the V5 and I can see if it comes up as an employee?

 

[Rory]

I've just taken delivery of an ex demo C270cdi from Mercedes in London. Loads of fun (read hassle) with dealer but to cap it all I've just received the log book back from DVLA to find that my 05/54 9k 'ex demo' was actually registered to a private individual and not DCUK (as my previous car in same circumstances was) - is this normal/a new way of doing things or have I been taken for a ride ?

I bought a C270 from MB Direct in B'ham which I was told was an ex-MB Management car. It too, was registered to a private individual, resident in Lancs. I was assured this is standard practice.
The stored addresses in the Sat Nav were dealer addresses and MB UK HQ, so what did surprise me, was that if it had been used by some kind of Area Manager type person, then it had done a very low mileage - only 6K in 5 mths.
Maybe these guys have access to other cars that they use from time to time?
Also, if they're normally kept for 9mths, then the one I bought was being changed pretty early for some reason?

Anyway, apart from a couple of stone chips, and a bizarre cut in the trim (which was invisibly repaired) the car looked brand new, and (touch wood) hasn't missed a beat in the 10mths I've owned it.