Car Buyers Beware - A WeBuyCars Story

[Fluffy]

The problem for me is advertised with full service History. If someone puts that on paper I do not need to check it now when this was requested it could not be brought to light.

From the first post see this quote: "The advertisement labelled it as “Category A”, highlighting its complete and up-to-date service history and emphasising that the vehicle was roadworthy. I was even able to secure financing for it through Wesbank.

However, during the purchasing process, it became apparent that WeBuyCars could not provide evidence of the complete service history, and the vehicle was also due for a service, contradicting the assurances in their listing. Despite these issues, we proceeded with the purchase due to the Prado’s low mileage."

He doesn't have a leg to stand on.

People get blinded by the old adage "if it looks too good to be true ....."

[Graham]

I honestly do not see how WBC are at fault here. If the previous owner changed engines and it had the correct engine number on the Reg doc, how do you expect them to own up to it? I assume you took the car for roadworthy?

Exactly.
I cannot see how webuycars can possibly be at fault here. Yes, those youngsters who buy and sell the cars there can be sneaky, but, theres no ways even they would have considered that its not the original motor if the owner never told them. How could they possibly know this?

Yes, there was the usual salesman's lie that theres a full service history, until the request for the book goes un answered, im sure alot of us have experienced that, so sure, they lied there, but thats on you.

[PJ SA]

Both at fault, but only 1 responsible IMO

[dieselkop]

Even with an engine change, a full service history is still a full service.

No where in the service book does it say that when an engine is changed it must be noted or reported. If the engine were changed between say 160000km and 170000km, lets say 165000km, engine was changed. The next service would continue as per normal, if the job were done properly, there would be no reason for the tech doing the service to suspect anything. If the engine number on the license disc matches the current engine in the vehicle, one could even assume that the engine change paperwork was possibly done properly at the authorities too by the previous owner.

[BotsBob]

Can the OP clear up one thing I can’t make out from the opening post. Does the engine that is fitted, and the engine number stated on the vehicle registration match?

If so, then there really is nothing WBC or any other dealer could have done differently, and you are on your own.

You would think an engine replacement would be noted in a complete service history, but it isn’t something that gets stamped in the service books. Also, you realised before completing the deal that the full service history was not there, but still bought the car. So you accepted it as such.

Most engine remanufacturers work on core exchange basis, so there is also a good chance your “old” fortuner engine is actually a properly remanufactured replacement unit. However, without a paper trail/invoices to prove this, you would never know.

[Morne - Skip]

WBC, buy good vehicles from owners that are financially stressed, these go to dealers.

The rest are vehicles which the owners know they wont be able to sell privately or trade in, because they would be called out on the faults by the people or dealers viewing them. MHO

If WBC low balls you, and you know there is a fault, you'll be "glad" just to get rid of it. But if your car's mint, 100% mechanically, and they low ball you, the only reason you'll do it, is because you need the cash.

They acquire more lemons than anything else from the "just get rid of it" crowd - too many stories

[Dwayne P]

Is the engine number in your wesbank contract?Maybe a loophole if the original was used.

possibly stating old engine nr, which would also mean the RWC is not worth the paper it was written on and also then the vehicle was not physically checked at a rwc

[DrifX]

Another case I know of is where a guy bought a Audi A1. It broke down on the WBC driveway. Gearbox was faulty. They refused accountability. Poor guy spent tons on it before selling it back to them. At which point they pointed out it had been accident damaged (was not listed when he bought it from them 4 months earlier). Needless to say they bought it back at a very reduced price. I wonder if they declared the accident damage to the next person who bought it??

This is interesting. My BIL bought a Jeep GC from them a bit more than a month ago. 3 days later, check engine light comes on. WBC sent the vehicle to one of their service centers they use to investigate what caused the fault. After roughly 3 weeks of the vehicle being at the service center, with no outcome of the cause of the fault, WBC offered to cancel the deal and reimbursed my BIL the full purchase price.

[Fluffy]

WBC, buy good vehicles from owners that are financially stressed, these go to dealers.

The rest are vehicles which the owners know they wont be able to sell privately or trade in, because they would be called out on the faults by the people or dealers viewing them. MHO

If WBC low balls you, and you know there is a fault, you'll be "glad" just to get rid of it. But if your car's mint, 100% mechanically, and they low ball you, the only reason you'll do it, is because you need the cash.

They acquire more lemons than anything else from the "just get rid of it" crowd - too many stories

Pretty much what I said.

Buyer beware applies very much to second hand cars - but especially to cars below market price from people like WBC.

Anybody buying from them must know this - or they are very naive.

That doesn't necessarily or automatically put WBC at fault or make them a dodgy outfit. It is a specific business model that has a place in the whole used cars game.

Just like vultures and Tow Trucks have a place in the bigger scheme of things.

[TimK]

...
I've looked over a lot of WeBuyCars reports (DEKRA) and almost all of them say "engine / chassis number not possible to view without dismantling"

In my view this is a huge loophole being exploited here to the detriment of buyers, because WBC refuse to accept responsibility for it. In other words, "looking the other way, just in case".

Checking an engine number is not a difficult task if you know where to look (obviously there are exceptions) which should be part of their skill set when completing Dekra reports.. not so?

[Fluffy]

In my view this is a huge loophole being exploited here to the detriment of buyers, because WBC refuse to accept responsibility for it. In other words, "looking the other way, just in case".

Checking an engine number is not a difficult task if you know where to look (obviously there are exceptions) which should be part of their skill set when completing Dekra reports.. not so?

Not so.
Why didn’t you check it.

If they set out to con you, doesn’t matter if they checked or not. It wouldn’t have changed anything.

[Patroller]

I do think it is a bit unfair to slate WeBuyCars as they themselves were likely not told of this modification and didn't pick it up.

I disagree
Perhaps check the Consumer Protection Act. I agree that if they cannot furnish the FSH (conveniently) and buyer accept this, that legally the CPA may not help you. But WBC also need to think about their reputation here.
I have heard too many bad stories. So I will not ever buy from them.

If you really know what you are doing as a buyer, you may fancy your chances to filter out the

a) 'financial distressed seller' (possibly good car)
from the
b) 'guy who wants to get rid of his lemon' (bad car)

But not for me.

[mullerza]

I disagree
Perhaps check the Consumer Protection Act. I agree that if they cannot furnish the FSH (conveniently) and buyer accept this, that legally the CPA may not help you. But WBC also need to think about their reputation here.
I have heard too many bad stories. So I will not ever buy from them.

If you really know what you are doing as a buyer, you may fancy your chances to filter out the

a) 'financial distressed seller' (possibly good car)
from the
b) 'guy who wants to get rid of his lemon' (bad car)

But not for me.

On the selling side WBC does not play in the franchised dealer space, they compete with the dodgy independant dealers (jules street specials). There is no need for them to protect any reputation in that side of the market.

I have sold to them twice and had very good experiences, I visited a showroom once when kicking tyres for Swambo's tiguan and trying to find a salesman that actually knew what was going on was a hassle, and then they could not find the keys. They are driven by volume with low margins so dont expect a salesman to invest into making a sale or checking paperwork and engine numbers. I just walked away and found what I wanted at a franchised dealer

I'm sorry but the buyer has to take some responsibility especially when the warning bells started ringing from the start

[Groenman]

I think WBC has always been a place to sell your car to, not to buy from. (It's in the name, right??)

As stated, their model is to sell large volumes with low margins on to dealers, not individuals.

Essentially, what's left to buy is what the dealers didn't want...

[Dolf79]

He doesn't have a leg to stand on.

People get blinded by the old adage "if it looks too good to be true ....."

Have to agree here. That speedo means nothing without proof.

Looked at a vehicle earlier this year at a brand's 2nd hand floor, advertised as having a FSH. Looked at the service book and last 2 services weren't in the book.
Sales guy still insisted that it had a FSH, but couldn't prove it. Said he would get back to me with the details of these 2 services. Still waiting, 6 months later.
Drove from there to another dealer and bought one with a real FSH.

[TOY4X4]

I think WBC has always been a place to sell your car to, not to buy from. (It's in the name, right??)

As stated, their model is to sell large volumes with low margins on to dealers, not individuals.

Essentially, what's left to buy is what the dealers didn't want...

Exactly.

[Spectaitor]

I can't understand the complacency here.
How can Joe soap be held more accountable by the forum instead of a R3. 69 billion corporation?

You buy and sell cars as your specialty, there should be no feigning ignorance on WBC's part, I shouldn't have to be a mechanic to buy a dam car and have to dig in the engine bay for the engine number - WBC should do that and have accurate information on their listings. The only mistake that OP made was trusting that WBC actually gave a sh1t.

These things should simply be expected, especially when a vehicle is listed as a “Category A” purchase.

Now the only thing OP has learnt is not to trust WBC, and I, as a result, have added that to my experience too.

[hatjohan]

Percentage wise, I just wonder how many of the thousands they sell, are really fraudelant or bad deals
And compare to other dealers?
The alternatief to WBC is to walk Sefako Makgatho dr, if you are so inclined!

[mullerza]

I can't understand the complacency here.
How can Joe soap be held more accountable by the forum instead of a R3. 69 billion corporation?

You buy and sell cars as your specialty, there should be no feigning ignorance on WBC's part, I shouldn't have to be a mechanic to buy a dam car and have to dig in the engine bay for the engine number - WBC should do that and have accurate information on their listings. The only mistake that OP made was trusting that WBC actually gave a sh1t.

These things should simply be expected, especially when a vehicle is listed as a “Category A” purchase.

Now the only thing OP has learnt is not to trust WBC, and I, as a result, have added that to my experience too.

You also cannot abducate all your responsibility as a buyer. The missing service history should have been a red flag but with car fever most us would have shrugged that off.

Sorry, but OP is trying to hold WBC responsible a year after he bought the car. I feel for the guy but this was never going to fly. I dont think any dealer would have entertained something like so long after the sale.

[Toxxyc]

Something to keep in mind is that WBC sells cars, at least some cars, on the basis of an auction house. And this is important, because if something is bought on auction, even if it wasn't an auction but you're made to sign the auction paperwork (which is how they do it), but if it's bought under those laws, then the Consumer Protection Act is not valid. I'm inclined to believe that this vehicle was sold in such a way, and, because of that, they can't and won't step up to fix it, and they have the papers to back them up.