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My Lemon i30N (ex-demo)

iiNNEX

Well-Known Member
Nthusiast
Sep 5, 2019
563
526
93
Surrey, UK
Thought I'd start a thread about my recent experience with this lemon i30N.

I picked the car up on Friday 13th (yes I know...) from Eden Hyundai in Basingstoke. It was an ex-demo car that was originally registered to the Sales Manager and then sold onto a lad who could not afford the payments on the finance he took out, which resulted in the car being returned 2 weeks after he purchased it. So with that in mind, it was priced to reflect the 2 owners on the V5.

Unfortunately it has not been a great experience for me. The car itself is magnificent and everything I expected it to be, and more! However the entire purchase process had me pulling my hair out. Let me explain below:

1. I saw the car advertised on Hyundai Approved Used. It must have just been uploaded as there were no pictures. I rang the dealer, the car was available and they said it was just returned to them a few days ago and has just been prepped for sale. So far all good, I booked a viewing and carried on with my day.

2. On my arrival next day it was taken onto the forecourt and was nice and shiny. I took a good look around it with the salesman and noticed a few blemishes in the paintwork (which I later found out was just terrible quality polish/wax that the cheap car wash they use, uses) and proceeded for a test drive. All went well and we signed a deal. I would be using a third party finance company to purchase it, as the rates are a lot better than what Hyundai was able to do (funnily enough the lender is the same lol)

3. I was told I can pick the car up in 1-2 days max once all paperwork is processed. Ok good, however I get a email the next day from that Salesman to say that I have outstanding finance with XXX company and should pay it off before I can proceed. I'm like wtf? I don't have any finance, let alone anything with that company. So I get out in my lunch break to speak to my third party finance that would be purchasing the car for me, and they said "No that's wrong, we told the dealership that the car is still on finance according to their HPI records with XXX company, and that the dealership has taken the car back from the previous customer but has yet to clear the finance". So basically they got the car off the dude before me and didn't clear anything, and put it for sale while it was technically not HPI clear...

4. Few days pass, a few more emails and calls, at this point I am debating whether I should go for another car/dealership, but I persist since the deal was good. I then get a call the week after, that things have cleared, payment has been received and the car is ready, however I can't pick it up for another week because they have a "Sales Event". This is literally where I kicked off, and pretty much said I am taking my business elsewhere if I don't get the car that week (last week). One of the reasons being, is my daily driver was being advertised for sale now and I am putting more and more mileage on it because of these people which brings the value down. Another reason is they told me it would only be a couple days since the car was basically ready. So the Sales Manager calls me, we have a long serious chat and voila, I can pick up the car on Friday (last week). I told them to prep what they need to prep, but to please NOT WASH or VALET the car as I know what crap they use.

5. I go to collect the car, excited for the handover. Guess what, they had it washed and valeted... You could see the crap they have been spraying on the interior and seats, as it feels slimey and some of it wasn't even applied properly with a cloth so it was still grainy looking. The paintwork had smudges of that terrible wax again and the wheels and tyres look like they've had 5L of clear coat applied to them ( and dripping)! At this point, I contained my anger and collected the car. The drive home was great, however this is where the problems began...

Just so this doesn't just turn into a wall of text, I will post a picture of it after I washed it myself (properly) with Bilt Hamber products.

DibF59il.jpg



So far, it's been hectic but doable. Definitely once you get in and drive the thing you feel like it's all been worth it. However after giving it a proper thorough clean I started to notice things. So here it goes:

Exterior Scratches on both rear quaters:
mZYDAnfl.jpg

csSUW70l.jpg


Drivers Side rear bumper near the quater has a dent (somehow). Since it's plastic I believe the dent is actually the metal bracket behind it being bent:
itquQpMl.jpg


On that same side the clear wrap/sill protector is already coming off:
93q3qSzl.jpg


Also on that side, it would seem like someone with heels decided to attack the kick plate rubber:
lDP2xopl.jpg


On the other side the plastic behind the kick plate has actually been cracked!
vQLC2Unl.jpg


Then we move onto the engine bay and notice that the wipers cannot be lifted up as they hit the bonnet. They must have been taken out at some point and not aligned properly:
C773e4Al.jpg

wjqVrBJl.jpg


Further proof of this is shown here, where clips are missing and things not aligned:
duFefTkl.jpg

a86b6rrl.jpg

Kk7JxuDl.jpg


And then I saw that this is unplugged:
0agO114l.jpg



So at this point I am like wtf, not only that but the car has a weird burning/coolant smell, and it looks like something was potentially spilt around the turbo/manifold and it stinks when driving a little and coming to a halt.

I have already mentioned the scratches and dent to the Dealer on the day of collection and they said they will book the car in and sort those, but with these other bits popping up I feel like the car has been heavily neglected during it's demo life, and while it is only on 4300 miles, I feel like it has not had a good life :/

Where do I stand at this point, can I reject it? Found this: https://www.rocketlawyer.com/gb/en/quick-guides/returning-a-used-car

I just want a new one now... Any help with this will be highly appreciated.
 
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I can help with nothing other than my car is 2 weeks old brand new and my wipers do what yours do. So I don't know if that's the way it is or I should be worried lol

Sounds like a nightmare for you mate I hope you get sorted!
 
First of all....that really sucks and someone has previously not looked after that car AT.ALL

The wipers look like they aren't a problem, unless there is some obvious damage. The wipers wont come up like that as standard, they need to be 'parked' upwards to enable access to them.
Check you handbook for how to do that.

However, everything else points to somebody really messing around in the engine bay. As for the general damage......word fail me! Its terrible.

The component thats unplugged is the alarm siren, look like someones had a go at "fixing" that!!
The windscreen cowl looks like somebody has tried/done the "windscreen noise fix" but bust/lost clips doing it. Its just a few clips that could be replaced tbh. But the dealership should never have let it go out like that.

I'd speak to your finance company about rejecting it. Unfortunately its looks like you've got a bit of a dog there :(
 
Man buys secondhand car which has a few faults, what were you expecting?

The odd scratch, chip and crack is to be expected. Wipers are concealed by design and there is a procedure to park them in an accessible position.
 
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Man buys secondhand car which has a few faults, what were you expecting?

The odd scratch, chip and crack is to be expected. Wipers are concealed by design and there is a procedure to park them in an accessible position.

I am expecting 0 faults that's what. It is a car purchased from a main dealer, especially being a demo which they should have back to presentable condition with no faults.

Missing clips, curbed alloys, scratched nav screen, carelessness everywhere is what I got. I have had many used cars in the past, and most were in better shape than this while being a lot older. They definitely didn't smell like they were about to catch fire or have been mistreated like it's some sort of a loaner.

Also FYI:

Replacing the Sale of Goods Act, the Consumer Rights Act covers the sale of new and used cars, but retains the old Act’s requirements that goods must be:
  • of satisfactory quality
  • fit for purpose and
  • as described

None of the issues I mentioned above have been listed "as described". I have just also noticed that the rubber door stopper is missing too from the drivers side door...
KMNKE3sl.jpg


It's not that I can't go and buy a few clips and call it a day, it's the fact that an almost new car has been tampered with by some bodge job Joe and they are trying to pass this as "approved used with 100 point or whatever check".


Seriously F*** this, I am getting this refunded and ordering a new one. Also that dealership can go do one.
 
Seriously **** this, I am getting this refunded and ordering a new one. Also that dealership can go do one.
There you go! It just takes a little lesson learn.;) Buying a new one, is no different. Sometimes a good deal, is not such a good deal.:)

When you purchase a demo or used vehicle, always go thru the car completely at the dealership and take the time to note every defect or anything missing that is supposed to be there. :)

This^ applies to new cars as well.

When it goes in for service, take pictures of the interior/exterior and any area where you know they will be working. Let your service underwriter know, you've done so! Have your service underwriter, write down the mileage on a stick'em and put it on the speedometer. Take a picture of the odometer and current mileage, with your cell phone as well.

Always keep in mind, until you pick up a new or used car you are planning to purchase, or is being serviced; the car is in the care and custody of the dealer you're purchasing from or left with for service. They are liable for any damage incurred while in their car and custody, under their companies insurer. You're insurer won't be, as they have a clause about car and custody in your policy. What you don't know, can hurt you.;) Insurance companies are famous for this.

It's your money and your investment, make sure it's what you paid for. If it's not what you expected or purchased, don't sign the paperwork for acceptance. "Walk away," It's that simple, just be aware!
 
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It also helps if you slip the service underwriter, a $10 or $20 spot. They'll make sure no one but him touches it going into and from the garage.
 
Micron Grey ordered, delivery next week. Excited ^^
Hey pal did you get that lemon from eden ?i went to look at one there for same price , got mine brand new pick up same colour from luton my19 though 69 plate . Did you get a my20 ?
What have you brought for it so far need to get the 600 miles off asap
 
Hey pal did you get that lemon from eden ?i went to look at one there for same price , got mine brand new pick up same colour from luton my19 though 69 plate . Did you get a my20 ?
What have you brought for it so far need to get the 600 miles off asap

Yeah it was the demo car for Eden Basingstoke, originally up for £21,880 on 3950 miles.

The one I ordered should be a MY20 from what they told me, on a 69 plate. So the slightly softer suspension and the new alarm and no sunglasses holder. Not sure if MY19 got that too?

I originally received a Carwow quote from Luton and Tunbridge Wells but Eden were able to match it so got it through them in the end since they are closer to me.

I've already told them to not wash it upon arrival, enable SLIF and just make sure all software is up to date. It's going straight to my detailer after I pick it up for a full ceramic coating and a bunch of interior protection ect. ect.
 
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Yeah it was the demo car for Eden Basingstoke, originally up for £21,880 on 3950 miles.

The one I ordered should be a MY20 from what they told me, on a 69 plate. So the slightly softer suspension and the new alarm and no sunglasses holder. Not sure if MY19 got that too?

I originally received a Carwow quote from Luton and Tunbridge Wells but Eden were able to match it so got it through them in the end since they are closer to me.

I've already told them to not wash it upon arrival, enable SLIF and just make sure all software is up to date. It's going straight to my detailer after I pick it up for a full ceramic coating and a bunch of interior protection ect. ect.
Don't hold your breath on the not washing part. They will wash it so they can inspect the paint and bodywork for damage or defects during transport. It's standart PDI precedure. Never heard of anyone being able to concince a dealership to NOT wash a new car upon delivery. I've tried 3 times with 3 different cars/dealerships and every single time it was washed. The detailer will take care of any swirl marks they leave anyways :)
 
Just ask the Dealership to only wash it by hand. They really have to comply.

Your detailer will however wash, claybar and power buff the finish before applying any coatings.:)
 
Well funnily enough, when I asked them about the washing part they told me they are happy to do it as long as I am willing to accept it dirty as obviously dust builds up when in storage and theres bound to be stuff stuck to it during transport ( I assume they move around on an open transporter truck?).

I guess we'll see but you are right, the detailer will fix any blemishes regardless.
 
Yeah it was the demo car for Eden Basingstoke, originally up for £21,880 on 3950 miles.

The one I ordered should be a MY20 from what they told me, on a 69 plate. So the slightly softer suspension and the new alarm and no sunglasses holder. Not sure if MY19 got that too?

I originally received a Carwow quote from Luton and Tunbridge Wells but Eden were able to match it so got it through them in the end since they are closer to me.

I've already told them to not wash it upon arrival, enable SLIF and just make sure all software is up to date. It's going straight to my detailer after I pick it up for a full ceramic coating and a bunch of interior protection ect. ect.[/QUOTE
Yeah it was the demo car for Eden Basingstoke, originally up for £21,880 on 3950 miles.

The one I ordered should be a MY20 from what they told me, on a 69 plate. So the slightly softer suspension and the new alarm and no sunglasses holder. Not sure if MY19 got that too?

I originally received a Carwow quote from Luton and Tunbridge Wells but Eden were able to match it so got it through them in the end since they are closer to me.

I've already told them to not wash it upon arrival, enable SLIF and just make sure all software is up to date. It's going straight to my detailer after I pick it up for a full ceramic coating and a bunch of interior protection ect. ect.
Cool i get mine next week i be interested if you can confirm if it was a my19 or 20 i was told there was no mircon grey my20 until late oct,
Whats your detailer like thinking about what options to go myself ceramic coat or wax wash it myself .
 

Yeah will try to find out and let you know. What's the easiest way to find out car build date?

When I spoke to Luton they told me all their cars would be MY20 if I was to order now, so I presumed it would be same with Eden.

As for the detailer, I am doing a full exterior and interior protection package and will be using these guys: https://www.definitionsdetailing.co.uk/

More updated pics on their facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/definitionsdetailing/

£450 all in, done in 48 hours.
 
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