Porsche raises the bar on the quality control over its used car stock.

Guest · Feb 18, 2005

We are just going through the process of trading-in our 2001/Y Boxster S that cost some £45K in June 2001 with just over 13K on the clock with FPSH against a 2004 low miler. Our Y plater is not quite immaculate but is not far from it, it is a genuine well cared for car that has really only seen driving on dry non motorway roads in the summer months. It's our third car for fun. The local OPC offered us over the phone £25K which was some £1500 stronger than another dealer that we polled.

After they checked the car over they had a long list of things that needed fixing before they could put the car out on the forecourt. Firstly, a new windscreen (Reason 3 minute stone chips), Respray front bumper and bonnet (Reason too many stone chips). Re-skim front brakes because they were pitted. New wheel bolts because the originals were corroded. The list just went on and on.

Now for the story, Porsche has upped their game recently. All OPC are subject to audit and spot checks. If Porsche UK find a dealer displaying stock below the standard they have set, the OPC will get fined. A good example being scuffed alloy wheels spot fine £250. The buyer at the OPC was genuinely in apology mode, that, although they totally appreciate the quality and provenance of our car they needed to take £2K off the trade-in. Now at £23K. This would be the cost that they will incur to bring the car up to Porsche's exacting re-sale standards.

In reality this means OPC will find it almost impossible to make reasonable trade-in offers other than for cars say up to 2 years old. Once a car gets past this point the hassle to keep it, in, as new condition, will mean owners need to reconsider the ownership cycle to minimise loss/hassle or face up to trying to selling privately or to the non-authorised dealers. All OPC are going through the pain barrier in working with the new system that has come into force in the last six months.

Has the readership similar experiences?

oliver · Feb 18, 2005

My OPC told me this some years ago, which is why they stopped selling 993s. They said that the prep costs were too high for them to be able to sell them competitively.

I'm sure it is true because, in early 2004, I asked them to find me a nearly new 996 C2 and, in each case they were very helpful on pricing, explaining what work they had carried out as part of the sales preparation. Apparently, the dealership is also responsible for any warranty claims during the first 28 days.

Dapster · Feb 18, 2005

To be fair, if you purchased a used car from an OPC you'd expect it to be pretty flawless - the superficial stuff like stone chips, rusty wheel nuts, scuffed rims etc is not an unreasonable list of items to correct.

garyw · Feb 18, 2005

Is this not another load of Tosh from the OPC to give you less on your trade in, wrong colour, two many miles, damage, wrong season...heard that anywhere before??
I traded in my 996 and it was the wrong colour with too high a mileage on it, " we could never resell that in the OPC network", "we will have to put it to a second hand car dealer and they will only offer us £*****", basically not our fault...
Now where do you think my old car is for sale ?
Yes on the OPC network.!!

As I was frankly told, their not interested in the car, its just money and a business..

garyw

daro911 · Feb 18, 2005

ORIGINAL: garyw

Is this not another load of Tosh from the OPC to give you less on your trade in,garyw

[

]Gary has a point here as my mint and immaculate 03 Boxster with ZERO prep work required including polishing even! was being bid the usual buy-in money by my local OPC with the excuse for low'ish offer - wrong colour "Lapis" as he couldnt adjust price down for non chipped front end and non curbed alloys etc. He already had a Lapis similar age and spec car and he didn't want another at the same time. Naturally the showroom was just full of Silver Grey or Black cars [&o] Anyway I tried the "Wanted Ads" and sold the car for £2500 more and the OPC buying was genuinely glad to have a different colour car from the usuals and also ZERO prep work.

Although I am sure for every £1000 they knock you back they don't even spend £500 on the fixes required, so its all an extra margin maker buying in a slightly used example.

My local OPC has a Chipsaway man there nearly every single day doing the curbed alloys and stone chips, I pay £25-35 per wheel and £60-80 for chips or bumper damage so the mind boggles how much less my very busy local OPC gets this work done for [:-]

Black80XSA · Feb 18, 2005

OPC having you on mate - either that or the one i visited last week will be closed down, never mind fined, for the paintwork alone on their 996 stock

Guest · Feb 18, 2005

They do have to do some work on the cars, they charge you £250 a panel and £50 a wheel, but it costs them less for the internal prices. Even though it may be a 2nd hand car, they are charging 50K or more, so the next punter would like it to be in good condition.

Why do you think they have to do you any favours though? They are running a business. They have to pay salaries, overheads and pay for the premises, plus coffee, receptionists, plamsa screens, etc.
The upgrading they have done to some (most?) of the OPCs is funded by Reading, but each dealership has to pay that money back over the next few years. That has to come from somewhere.
Whilst you might want to think of them as some friend who helps you to own your car because they love enthusiasts and want you to be happy, they are flogging a product and want your money. Dress it up any way you like, but get over it, a public company is not some socialist collective - they are driven by market forces and what they can get away with.
Why do you think they make so much money.