Buying Advice on a Used Approved S3

I bought a supposedly 'approved audi s3' at the end of May. Only registered in March 2019 (£33k) so a 3 month old car but i ended up rejecting it so make sure it has had the checks it should have had.
Scratches on drivers side cill, front bumper scuffed on the corner and the passenger side had a scratch that they had touched up badly that looked like tippex. I took it to a bodyshop and they wanted £1350 just to sort the passenger side (on a 3 month old car).
It hadn't had the multi point inspection either. They hadn't even vacuumed it when I moved the seat, there was a paper and mouldy crisps. The v5 never arrived and when I contacted the dvla 4 weeks later, the garage hadn't completed it. Dvla want my details and the dealer has told me not to give the dvla my details. I owned the car for nearly 1 month but the dealer doesn't want me to tell dvla.
Used car sales manager said I couldn't reject it so I went to Audi uk. They were brilliant and I got a full refund.
I went to a different Audi dealer and they were fantastic and I got a 2019 car in the condition it should have been in.
So just because they say it is approved, still check that it has had the checks done. This was a big Audi dealer selling lots of different brands across the uk. They were appalling
 
SaraS3 said:
I bought a supposedly 'approved audi s3' at the end of May. Only registered in March 2019 (£33k) so a 3 month old car but i ended up rejecting it so make sure it has had the checks it should have had.
Scratches on drivers side cill, front bumper scuffed on the corner and the passenger side had a scratch that they had touched up badly that looked like tippex. I took it to a bodyshop and they wanted £1350 just to sort the passenger side (on a 3 month old car).
It hadn't had the multi point inspection either. They hadn't even vacuumed it when I moved the seat, there was a paper and mouldy crisps. The v5 never arrived and when I contacted the dvla 4 weeks later, the garage hadn't completed it. Dvla want my details and the dealer has told me not to give the dvla my details. I owned the car for nearly 1 month but the dealer doesn't want me to tell dvla.
Used car sales manager said I couldn't reject it so I went to Audi uk. They were brilliant and I got a full refund.
I went to a different Audi dealer and they were fantastic and I got a 2019 car in the condition it should have been in.
So just because they say it is approved, still check that it has had the checks done. This was a big Audi dealer selling lots of different brands across the uk. They were appalling
Click to expand...
Thanks, the dealer I am using is a Vindis group center so hopefully they'll live up to their name. But yeah going to see and test drive on Sunday. so will check all that then thanks.
 
Jake95 said:
Thanks, the dealer I am using is a Vindis group center so hopefully they'll live up to their name. But yeah going to see and test drive on Sunday. so will check all that then thanks.
Click to expand...
Which Vindis one? My local one has been absolutely fantastic I've had 2 cars from em (including my parents we've had 7 cars) sales side has always been top drawer.

Edit: Just seen the ad says Bedford, not used them but the Huntingdon one is fantastic so hopefully the same across the group

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jassyo06 and Jake95
Jake95 said:
Thanks, the dealer I am using is a Vindis group center so hopefully they'll live up to their name. But yeah going to see and test drive on Sunday. so will check all that then thanks.
Click to expand...
If it’s Vindis, make sure they don’t stick their name on the bodywork of the car. I can’t understand why people accept this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JohnM100
Kieran Johnson said:
Wouldn’t these be better?

https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar/audi/s3/s3-sportback/petrol/automatic/300bhp-all-wheel-drive-blue-1_GBR00022841472.htm#/i/s|10,AAAU|24,Black Edition,Black Edition Plus,Other,S line,S line Navigation,S line Plus,S line Special Edition,S line Sport Edition,S line Style Edition,Special Edition,Technik,Vorsprung|91,01|94,A|1024,51.72703,0.07706,800,Q3VycmVudCBsb2NhdGlvbg|1051,25000|1070,2016|1100,162/l|12,1,PRICE_SALE,U



Or



https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar/audi/s3/s3-sportback/petrol/automatic/300bhp-all-wheel-drive-blue-1_GBR00016841588.htm#/i/s|10,AAAU|24,Black Edition,Black Edition Plus,Other,S line,S line Navigation,S line Plus,S line Special Edition,S line Sport Edition,S line Style Edition,Special Edition,Technik,Vorsprung|91,01|94,A|1024,51.72703,0.07706,800,Q3VycmVudCBsb2NhdGlvbg|1051,25000|1070,2016|1100,162/l|12,1,PRICE_SALE,U
Click to expand...
They do look good thanks, I had been looking closer to home but guess I could travel or find out about delivery
 
RichardT said:
If it’s Vindis, make sure they don’t stick their name on the bodywork of the car. I can’t understand why people accept this.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’ll have to check that especially as they were the ones who sold it originally...
 
Jake95 said:
They do look good thanks, I had been looking closer to home but guess I could travel or find out about delivery
Click to expand...

No worries, They can deliver to a closer dealer to you within their group.
 
Make sure you get a better deal on the finance, those figures are high. Your almost at face lift territory at that price
 
13.5% APR !!!! Jesus Christ. Don't they know interest rates have been at an all time low for 10 years.

As a contrast, Ford are running 2.9% APR on Fiesta ST's.

I wouldn't buy a second hand S3 if it didn't have the SS seats. Make such a difference to the cabin.

As for the price? Offer £20k and settle somewhere near. Just go get a better APR rate off the internet and see if they'll match it. If not, take out the loan with someone else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TYb
wab172uk said:
13.5% APR !!!! Jesus Christ. Don't they know interest rates have been at an all time low for 10 years.

As a contrast, Ford are running 2.9% APR on Fiesta ST's.

I wouldn't buy a second hand S3 if it didn't have the SS seats. Make such a difference to the cabin.

As for the price? Offer £20k and settle somewhere near. Just go get a better APR rate off the internet and see if they'll match it. If not, take out the loan with someone else.
Click to expand...

He can have my facelift with super sports... for £24.5k ;-)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jake95
Check out oracle finance much better APR, my used was much better think it's 6.7% for the S5

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
TYb said:
Make sure you get a better deal on the finance, those figures are high. Your almost at face lift territory at that price
Click to expand...
I’m going to use Sainsbury’s for finance as they give 2.9%apr whereas Audi is 13.5%
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jassyo06
And a quick update for everyone, the car was sold by their Northampton branch last night anyway so that’s made the decision for me lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Adam14
Jake95 said:
Hi there guys looking for advice on how much I should pay for the following spec car. Is used approved so understand will be more expensive than an independent dealer.
Link to spec list below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13sCyLsnBB-b3rn5ft6oXRiLf4gDNB9HC/view?usp=sharing

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

l am sure you'll get a better optioned car than in the link for that price elsewhere...interest rate is silly high....is a sportback a must? cause the Saloon handles better and has magnetic dampers and 19"s as standard
 
Spec you want is
Metallic paint Audis flat paint is pants
Bang & Olufsen
Comfort package includes Cruise Control,rear parking sensors,Tinted sunband on the windscreen,Auto headlights and wipers.
Front Parking sensors.
Technology Package.
Folding mirrors.
Privacy Glass.
Super Sport seats.
icing on that spec cake would be a pano-roof.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Adam14
jassyo06 said:
Spec you want is
Metallic paint Audis flat paint is pants
Bang & Olufsen
Comfort package includes Cruise Control,rear parking sensors,Tinted sunband on the windscreen,Auto headlights and wipers.
Front Parking sensors.
Technology Package.
Folding mirrors.
Privacy Glass.
Super Sport seats.
icing on that spec cake would be a pano-roof.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's the sort of spec I'm looking for. But budget is maximum of low 20k's and preferably less than 50k miles on the clock and 15 reg.
 
SaraS3 said:
I bought a supposedly 'approved audi s3' at the end of May. Only registered in March 2019 (£33k) so a 3 month old car but i ended up rejecting it so make sure it has had the checks it should have had.
Scratches on drivers side cill, front bumper scuffed on the corner and the passenger side had a scratch that they had touched up badly that looked like tippex. I took it to a bodyshop and they wanted £1350 just to sort the passenger side (on a 3 month old car).
It hadn't had the multi point inspection either. They hadn't even vacuumed it when I moved the seat, there was a paper and mouldy crisps. The v5 never arrived and when I contacted the dvla 4 weeks later, the garage hadn't completed it. Dvla want my details and the dealer has told me not to give the dvla my details. I owned the car for nearly 1 month but the dealer doesn't want me to tell dvla.
Used car sales manager said I couldn't reject it so I went to Audi uk. They were brilliant and I got a full refund.
I went to a different Audi dealer and they were fantastic and I got a 2019 car in the condition it should have been in.
So just because they say it is approved, still check that it has had the checks done. This was a big Audi dealer selling lots of different brands across the uk. They were appalling
Click to expand...

View any used car as a dog & hiding a secret, and it’s up to the car and previous owner / salesman to change your mind.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jake95
  • Like
Reactions: Jake95
Jake95 said:
Anyone have opinions on the Cabriolet? Found a lovely looking one, my only issue is that they are soft top and I prefer a body colour roof look.
https://usedcars.audi.co.uk/usedcar/audi/s3/s3-cabriolet/petrol/automatic/300bhp-all-wheel-drive-blue-1_GBR00196649514.htm#/i/s|10,AADG|1024,52.02637,-0.49514,800/l|12,1,t_geo,U
Click to expand...

The S3 Cabriolet is absolutely stunning. I had a brand new 2019 '19 plate one. The best car I have ever owned by a country mile!

Unfortunately for me, due to ridiculous circumstances (Audi couldn't fix a fault with the roof) I had to reject it.

But, for the couple of months I had it, it was absolutely fantastic. Fast, safe, full of toys, fantastic looking and brilliant to drive.

I've fallen out with Audi in a big way and due to the way i was treated I will never own ANY Audi, but that is because of the way they treated me and not because of the car, as such. It was a brilliant car.

Find a good one and enjoy it!

Be VERY careful of the Audi Approved used, as they put my BRAND NEW 19 plate straight back onto the Approved Used scheme knowing full well that it had a very serious fault!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jake95
loftylad said:
The S3 Cabriolet is absolutely stunning. I had a brand new 2019 '19 plate one. The best car I have ever owned by a country mile!

Unfortunately for me, due to ridiculous circumstances (Audi couldn't fix a fault with the roof) I had to reject it.

But, for the couple of months I had it, it was absolutely fantastic. Fast, safe, full of toys, fantastic looking and brilliant to drive.

I've fallen out with Audi in a big way and due to the way i was treated I will never own ANY Audi, but that is because of the way they treated me and not because of the car, as such. It was a brilliant car.

Find a good one and enjoy it!

Be VERY careful of the Audi Approved used, as they put my BRAND NEW 19 plate straight back onto the Approved Used scheme knowing full well that it had a very serious fault!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice the other issue I have other than the soft top is it costs more so likely to have less toys I can afford on it!! :'(
 
You just need to ask yourself a couple of basic questions.

The soft top will be on most of the time. with it on, does it look better than a saloon or sportback?

would you rather have the car kitted out with more options or less options and a soft top?

tbh, for me, I can't stand soft tops. it just seems so odd to me to spend 20k+ on a car and have the visual appeal ruined by a piece of cloth. But opinions are like assholes!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Adam14 and Jake95
Sorry to hijack the thread but a suitable place for my question.

Looking at an S3 at a used car dealership (Non audi) they have good reviews but having done HPI shows finance outstanding.

On asking about this they advised they haven’t settled as selling on behalf of one of their longstanding customers and will settle it when sale agreed.

Anything to be mindful of in this kind of buying situation?

67 plate with 15k miles. Anything to confirm complete re servicing or bits to look out for?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jake95
The_Ironist said:
Sorry to hijack the thread but a suitable place for my question.

Looking at an S3 at a used car dealership (Non audi) they have good reviews but having done HPI shows finance outstanding.

On asking about this they advised they haven’t settled as selling on behalf of one of their longstanding customers and will settle it when sale agreed.

Anything to be mindful of in this kind of buying situation?

67 plate with 15k miles. Anything to confirm complete re servicing or bits to look out for?
Click to expand...

It does happen. Seller can't afford to pay off the car before selling. As long as the dealer pays off the car loan on the sellers behalf, and takes his cut for the sale, it `should` be ok.

You can insist on speaking to the finance company direct, and should you go ahead with the car pay them direct so you know the debt has been cleared. Pay the dealer the remaining funds

There are lots of S3's out there, so you can affords to walk away and look elsewhere if you have any doubts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: loftylad
Some main dealer cars still have finance showing. I recently rejected a 3 month old car from Lookers Audi. Several things wrong with the car itself and then I found out it hadn't had the 149 point check or hpi check. When I asked them about the v5 and hpi, they said it still was showing finance even though I'd paid cash. They said it's their usual practice not to pay off the finance from the last owner until they get the v5. One of my many arguments with them was that they shouldn't have sold the car without the v5 and without clearing the finance but by then I had rejected and was waiting for them to collect it. I bought it for £32900 and they put it back on sale at just under £36k with lots of resprayed paintwork I assume (I was quoted £1350) just for one side and there were 2 other areas to paint. I never received the v5 and when I checked with the dvla, the dealer hadn't filled it in. The Dvla told me that I must write to them to give them the dates I owned the car for (nearly a month). Lookers told me not to. They definitely weren't what I expected from an audi main dealer.
I dealt with Perth Audi and they were outstanding
 
SaraS3 said:
Some main dealer cars still have finance showing. I recently rejected a 3 month old car from Lookers Audi. Several things wrong with the car itself and then I found out it hadn't had the 149 point check or hpi check. When I asked them about the v5 and hpi, they said it still was showing finance even though I'd paid cash. They said it's their usual practice not to pay off the finance from the last owner until they get the v5. One of my many arguments with them was that they shouldn't have sold the car without the v5 and without clearing the finance but by then I had rejected and was waiting for them to collect it. I bought it for £32900 and they put it back on sale at just under £36k with lots of resprayed paintwork I assume (I was quoted £1350) just for one side and there were 2 other areas to paint. I never received the v5 and when I checked with the dvla, the dealer hadn't filled it in. The Dvla told me that I must write to them to give them the dates I owned the car for (nearly a month). Lookers told me not to. They definitely weren't what I expected from an audi main dealer.
I dealt with Perth Audi and they were outstanding
Click to expand...

So the car is back up for sale, and the next person who buys it won't know it has had you as an owner? Wow. Just need to definitely report this with the DVLA. Must be a criminal offence to actively defraud the next owner?
 
Yes that is what Lookers told me to do.
The whole episode was making me ill and I was just relieved when Audi uk told them to refund me.
I still have the letter that I had typed to dvla. I just haven't posted it yet. The car is online for sale now. Yesterday it was still saying they were preparing for sale. I think it could take some time. Audi Uk told the General manager to deal with me and when I spoke about the paint that needed doing, he said he was looking out of his window and the majority of their audis had had paint repairs. It's a very nice looking (until you get close up) 19 sportback, blk edition, pano roof with 2,000 miles on. The bodyshop I visited said it needed wing, door, bumper and cill respraying. I told him to stop totting up when the door and wing were £1350. Lookers had done a poor touch up that looked like tippex and the car is glacier. I've bought over 25 cars in 30 years and bought several over the phone but this was the only one that wasn't as described and got worse as I checked things out. Lookers used car manager was awful and said I couldn't do anything about it. I was straight onto Andrew Doyle and Audi Uk were fantastic. They gave me the confidence to buy another that I'm over the moon with
 
SaraS3 said:
Yes that is what Lookers told me to do.
The whole episode was making me ill and I was just relieved when Audi uk told them to refund me.
I still have the letter that I had typed to dvla. I just haven't posted it yet. The car is online for sale now. Yesterday it was still saying they were preparing for sale. I think it could take some time. Audi Uk told the General manager to deal with me and when I spoke about the paint that needed doing, he said he was looking out of his window and the majority of their audis had had paint repairs. It's a very nice looking (until you get close up) 19 sportback, blk edition, pano roof with 2,000 miles on. The bodyshop I visited said it needed wing, door, bumper and cill respraying. I told him to stop totting up when the door and wing were £1350. Lookers had done a poor touch up that looked like tippex and the car is glacier. I've bought over 25 cars in 30 years and bought several over the phone but this was the only one that wasn't as described and got worse as I checked things out. Lookers used car manager was awful and said I couldn't do anything about it. I was straight onto Andrew Doyle and Audi Uk were fantastic. They gave me the confidence to buy another that I'm over the moon with
Click to expand...

You really need to post that letter sooner rather than later. Some poor sod is going to buy that car soon and be unaware.
 
audi upgrades
I’d avoid vindis group like the plague, horrendously over priced compared to other dealers and when I wanted to get an S3 they told me I couldn’t test drive due to my age, but then kept pushing new figures at me and calling me asking if I wanted to buy . Got on the phone to Boston Audi and scheduled a test drive for the next day, must better priced too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Well I can guarantee the above isn't group policy seeing as I bought and test drove an S3 at aged 19, sounds like a poor offer and experience from the dealer in question.

End of day mileage and experience can vary from person to person, but never had an issue or the above at my local one

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
The dealer assured me that was vindis policy and that there are no exceptions, as I said Boston Audi booked me in for a test drive, gave me the keys and said have fun, bring it back when you’re done... didn’t even send a member of staff with me, that’s service


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bryant1998 said:
The dealer assured me that was vindis policy and that there are no exceptions, as I said Boston Audi booked me in for a test drive, gave me the keys and said have fun, bring it back when you’re done... didn’t even send a member of staff with me, that’s service


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Which Vindis was it?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
Bryant1998 said:
Peterborough


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Shame you had a poor experience there, as I say that's not Vindis policy so they definitely fobbed you off as you say!

Their loss and good to hear you got better service at Boston!

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bryant1998
audi upgrades
Bryant1998 said:
I’d avoid vindis group like the plague, horrendously over priced compared to other dealers and when I wanted to get an S3 they told me I couldn’t test drive due to my age, but then kept pushing new figures at me and calling me asking if I wanted to buy . Got on the phone to Boston Audi and scheduled a test drive for the next day, must better priced too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Adam14 said:
Well I can guarantee the above isn't group policy seeing as I bought and test drove an S3 at aged 19, sounds like a poor offer and experience from the dealer in question.

End of day mileage and experience can vary from person to person, but never had an issue or the above at my local one

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I think test drives depend on the salesman at the time. I once asked for a test drive of the new F-Type V6 S. Bearing in mind I was 35+ and rocked up in an R8. Said no as the roads were too busy !!! Even though the dealership is just off the A66 near Middlesbrough.

Needless to say I've never been back to a Jaguar dealership. Maybe I was 30 year too young to be considered as a buyer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Adam14
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Buying used from non-Audi approved
Replies
18
Views
1K
Satory
Satory
C
Thinking of buying a used 2019 S3 - advice
Replies
27
Views
2K
Scotty75
Scotty75
S32B
Anyone buying a used Audi...
Replies
6
Views
2K
aqibi2000
aqibi2000
S32B
Approved used?
Replies
12
Views
2K
RGBARGEE
RGBARGEE
randy4
DTUK version buying used
Replies
2
Views
490
Leevr
Leevr
Top
Back