So I’m looking at buying a new car, as my trusty old Forester is getting to the point where maintaining it further is uneconomic.

I have narrowed the choice down to a Skoda Superb (estate, natch). For reasons we need 4wd (wet/slippy grass driveway on a big hill), automatic, and petrol (we don’t do sufficient miles for a VAG diesel so would end up with £££ problems), so there’s basically one model. I like it, I’m reasonably happy with the trim/spec levels on offer and I think it would do everything we need (bikes/family camping/drumkits/double bass/band PA etc).

The problem is actually getting to see/test drive one. They’re a pretty niche proposition at the best of times, but with the current constraints on new cars my local dealership says they haven’t seen a new Superb for months, let alone that spec/model.

I’m looking at second hand – so at any one time there’s a handful on Autotrader, of which only a few are within budget (and OMG how much are second-hand cars now!) – a couple at Skoda dealers, and one or two at non-specialist dealers. None are anywhere near me.

I know what they look like, I know how they look inside, the space, controls etc. I’m pretty comfortable on how they drive (having driven or been in various VAG cars over the years).

All sellers offer delivery and places like Cazoo have a money-back guarantee, plus I think there is the statutory right to cancel a contract placed online or by telephone, even for cars.

But it feels like a pretty huge step to buy a car, potentially sight unseen, particularly given the giant leap in car prices lately.

Has anyone done it? How did it go? Any problems? Am I mad to be considering it?

January 2021 I bought a 17 plate low mileage Seat Leon from Carzam for not much more than it would have cost me from an auction but it included a 90 day warranty & free delivery – no brainer & all went well, I’ve now done over 10k miles in it & WBAC are currently offering me over £2k more than what I paid for it.

Not gone well for Carzam though

so there’s basically one model.

The 280 Tsi?
Nice. Driven the sportline version. Refined, comfortable. And quite quick.

Living near Glasgow I bought a new Skoda Superb estate from Great Yarmouth. 450 miles or so. Flew down in the morning and drove it back the same day. At the time I was looking for a 2 or 3 year old petrol estate. My local dealer had an Octavia estate base model 2 years old. Wouldn’t budge on price and was only matching WBAC for my trade in. I paid an extra £2.3k and got a brand new Superb with a few options and 2 free services.

Hadn’t driven a Superb before but I was happy with the driving postion in my Octavia and Octavia Scouts at work.

But as it was new I reckoned any warranty issues could be dealt with locally. Buying a second hand car long distance I would be concerned about anything going wrong unless it was still within manufacturers warranty. Dealing with the selling garage to resolve problems could a bit of hassle if far away.

280 is a decent car, got one myself bit of a sleeper.

I bought a 2004 Hyundai Terracan on eBay quick as a flash about 10 years ago. Was one of the best cars I’ve had! Still see it knocking around occasionally and the current owner loves it.

Sometimes it works out.

Check whether there’s a warranty and whether they’re a member of the motor ombudsman for come-back.

I bought a Peugeot 108 from a dealer down south as there were only 3 availible in the colour / not in poverty spec and every single one on cazoo looked like it had been used as a hire skip dodgem.

I stuck to maindealer (Bristol Street motors/Oxford) they stuck it on the ramp gave me a walk around underneath and on top and a look round the inside, started it up – live on teams. Focused in on anything I asked. Good 20 minutes looking round.

Got it delivered for 2 quid a mile and as they said there was one mark on the driver’s door edge. And a slight bit of lacquer peel on rear passengers door handle + new tires needed due to age/perishing. The rest of car was mint and ran well.

Wbac are offering about 250 quid less than I paid now…..

I’ve done 3000 miles in it now and it seems to be solid.

It was only 4 years old with 18k miles on. The older/higher milage the riskier it is imo.

My son bought a Merc from one of the online suppliers and it is absolutely spotless. The only issue was that he paid £25 to make sure it had some petrol in it on delivery but when they took it off the trailer it was bone dry, they refunded the money.
I recently purchased an Audi from a main dealer in the Midlands and that went smoothly. They did the usual video tour and it was as good as they said.
The only issue was they lied about about the V5 – there wasn’t one – and that took me 12 weeks to sort out due to the backlog in the DVLA.

Bought a mini clubman from a garage in Blackpool, I could have gone to pick it up by train but for the time / effort I had it delivered. Car was ok, interior was slightly more scuffed than I would have liked but other than that the car has been fine, as my wife pointed out would we have turned the car down based on the scuffs – probably not

We’ve bought the last 5 or 6 vehicles without driving or viewing them. They have mainly been new to 3 years old and from main dealers and never had any problems or felt the vehicle was mis-represented by the seller.

I bought my current car from a Toyota dealer in Warrington while I was sat in Edinburgh Airport departure lounge heading back to work. Car was perfect when I finally picked it up.

I don’t think I’d buy privately without physically seeing the car, at least not for anything more than ~£2-3k

I got my current Skoda from Cazoo, their customer service has been absolutely perfect.

It got dented during transport (irritating) but they fixed it immediately without quibble, and it had a non-working window switch which again was fixed without any argument, at a main dealer. They collected it and did all the leg work.

I’d absolutely use them again. Also the trade-in process was extremely easy if you’re doing that.

Bought my last car (a skoda) from a main dealer in swindon. I live in manchester.

Apart from cosmestic damage and tyre wear there is absolutely nothing I could glean from a physical inspection of a car so I’m happy to rely on a manufacturer approved warranty and pay the price premium.

Not sure I’d do the same from an online broker though.

Bought my current car (Polo) from Cazoo and it was a very smooth operation. The car matched or exceeded what they said on the website, service at a Cazoo centre was very painless. I know nothing about cars, so the value of seeing it in person is limited unless it has a wheel missing, or some other blatant problem, so buying online from someone giving a good guarantee made sense for me. Probably you never get a bargain, but the chance of a lemon seems reduced, and you don’t have to feel like a fool dealing with the salesman on a forecourt.

If it’s nearly new model, I can’t see there being that much risk.

I bought a one year old L200 online. They did a video of all the issues and delivered it a couple days later after I purchased.

As with everyone else, bought 3 cars distance sale (and sold 1) using Motorpoint, Motorway, and most recently from a main Skoda dealer. All excellent experiences.

I was looking at the same model as you, there was options on Cazoo/Motorpoint, but a slightly newer one was available (found through auto trader as well) from main dealer 500 or so miles away.

It was pretty much the same experience as Cazoo/Motorpoint, distance selling regs mean it is almost identical in terms of buying, 2 week period to check you like it or your money back.

I went main dealer as it was newer, came with a warranty and service package, and had only 1 previous owner with verifiable FDSH.

Difference in distance selling was that they charged more for delivery compared to Cazoo/Motorpoint, and I would have to pay for the return transport if I didn’t like it. So a little more risky/expensive.

Side note – 272 Superb Estate (with tow bar), by far the favourite car I have ever owned!

I bought from Cazoo and it was a good experience.

I had the opportunity to buy a Skoda Superb – test drove it and it was horrible. A massive tank and you really felt that weight going round corners. I’ve had a Mondeo and that was positively nimble compared to the Superb (currently have Passat). Weird trim levels too, was a Laurin & Klement had a lovely pano roof, but no dab radio!

Factor in the cost to replace the Clutch pack on any VAG auto. Especially since you can’t test drive it. It will most likely have worn/faulty clutches on the but not yet throwing a fault code. So the seller could say “no known flaults” but you have a bill for a few thousand to fix it.

I bought my current car remotely via a small indie dealer. Went well. They’re a nice outfit and because we dealt via e-mail it gave me the breathing space to get a deal I was happy with. I sourced my own finance, far cheaper than dealer finance and I was very honest about the condition of my car (a Superb 4×4 ironically). I picked it up in person, they walked around my car for 5 mins and thanked me for my honesty and I did the same for my new car. I expected something to do wrong, but it never did.

As for the Superb, they really do live up to their name. I loved my 1904×4, it was huge inside and out (doesn’t fit nicely in some NCPs) seats were great, music system great and it was great on juice. 50mpg on a run was pretty easy if you didn’t drive like a prat didn’t put a step wrong in 3 years and 50k miles.

Downsides… the ride on 19″ wheels is crap on crap roads and terrible on speed bumps, a car with such a long wheelbase shouldn’t be so bad, my shorter, firmer and lower Golf R has a way better ride, the glove box lids warp and rattle and you have to accept that in addtion to normal servicing the gearbox needs it own service every 40k miles (£250) and the rear diff needs a another one again which is £160.

As for the 280 drivetrain, AFAIK it’s near identical to that of my Golf R, a little less power, but a little more weight. I averaged 40mpg in my Superb Diesel ‘just driving’ I drive super carefully in my R to get 30mpg, the driving I’m doing at the moment isn’t great for economy, but I’d guess yours will be about the same, also, they like Super Unleaded to get the best economy, it’s not economically worth running them on E10, so today you’ll be looking at £130 to fill it up and you’ll go about 400 miles.

Personally I wouldn’t worry about testing the car to see if you like it. That’s one of the safest propositions on the road and if there were any car I’d buy unseen it’d be that.

Now, if there’s something wrong with it you would want to know, but in that case you’d be able to return it.

Factor in the cost to replace the Clutch pack on any VAG auto.

No, don’t.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=1790825

Factor in the cost to replace the Clutch pack on any VAG auto. Especially since you can’t test drive it. It will most likely have worn/faulty clutches on the but not yet throwing a fault code. So the seller could say “no known flaults” but you have a bill for a few thousand to fix it.

Superbs come with either the 6 or 7 speed wet clutch DSG gearboxes, they rarely have clutch issues much before 150k miles.

DSG boxes have been around for 20 years and are well refined by now. I certainly wouldn’t assume it’s going to fail.

I bought a used auto Skoda. Clutches went after 14k miles. Costs were silly to fix it.

I bought a used auto Skoda. Clutches went after 14k miles. Costs were silly to fix it.

Right, but that doesn’t happen to every car…..

Basically you’re saying that expensive things can go wrong with cars. Pretty sure most people know that 🙂

Another vote for buying from Cazoo.

I bought from them last year and am just considering buying another from them now.

You can also arrange collection from one of their depots (if there’s one close to you) for free rather than the £99 home delivery option if you wanted to actually see the car first

Thanks everyone, some really useful thoughts there.

I’d be after a 3y/o or less car from a main dealer, so hopefully no huge surprises and decent support if there are!

Considering paying a deposit by credit card (to get s75 protection) and signing everything and paying before seeing (to get distance selling protection) but then taking the day off and going to collect in person – sounds to me like that might cover off most risks!

Good luck Jakester. I love my Superb. Only a 1.4 150hp but moves well enough. Last time I topped up after 600 miles and had 51mpg. Could drive 800 miles on a tank at that rate.

Good ride (on 17″ wheels) proper spare, takes 3m long loads inside. I have the fold flat front passenger seat option.

2wd but goes well on snow with Goodyear Vector 4 seasons all round.

4 years old and only complaint is the rear discs were made of cheese and replaced at 25k miles. Known issue.

Jakester, sounds like you are well up to speed with the regs, but just make sure whatever you do in person doesn’t scupper the 2 week no quibble returns and refund.

Distance Sales FAQs

Will Cazoo ever be profitable ?

Yep bought a Volvo last month all remotely. Found it on auto trader in the spec I wanted. Contacted the dealership and the sales guy (who was great – answered initial email enquiry on Sunday evening) did a walk around video. They even delivered it for £100 which is less than it would have taken me to drive. Pretty painless tbh

Thanks all, deposit paid – now we’ll see!

big_scot_nanny
Jakester, sounds like you are well up to speed with the regs, but just make sure whatever you do in person doesn’t scupper the 2 week no quibble returns and refund.

Interesting link @big_scot_nanny, thanks – I think I’m right in saying that if the contract is concluded as a distance contract, the fact I then turn up to collect is immaterial:

“However, if you have ordered the car, signed all of the relevant documentation and paid for it completely at a distance, normally online, this will count as a distance sale even if you then go and collect the vehicle from the showroom.”

Let’s see! I’ll update if/when all goes through….

Thank you again to everyone for your input, it’s been very helpful!

👍

yours may actually be the best approach, as they are more likely to prep it properly if you come in person, i reckon. Good one, all the best, and enjoy it (gawd i love mine, ridiculous!)

Just to update – all done, payment made, hoping to collect on Friday. Woo!

I once bought a £6k car privately and remotely, just spoke to the seller (seemed like a decent sort), paid with bank xfer and then paid someone off shiply £300 to pick it up and deliver it.

Everyone thinks I’m mad.