Barbara H

Avoid them

Like most of us I shopped around for the best price when I sought a new Mazda. I was aware of finance/leasing deals but did not want them. Newport Mazda matched the best price I'd found for a cash purchase, and so I went to them as they were nearer than my other option. From the start, and all through my contact with them, I checked that I would definitely be the first owner of the car on the registration document. I did not want a pre-registered car and stressed this several times. I was assured I would be registered as the first owner of the car - one time this was in front of a witness. I also made clear I did not want finance or a "leasing arrangement". I paid a deposit and ordered a new Mazda. I was in contact regularly while I waited for delivery of the new car. At no time was pre-registration mentioned, but I was offered 0% finance which I refused. Eventually they talked me into applying, saying I could pay it all off immediately and it would be easier for them to provide the car at the price they agreed, but my application for finance was refused anyway. At last the day came for me to collect my new car. All was well until I asked for the registration document, which they said had been sent off to DVLA. I became suspicious - last time I bought new, the document was provided with the car! Eventually the document arrived - and, guess what - I was listed as the second owner! The car had been pre-registered. I could have purchased a pre-registered car cheaper from another dealer at the time I ordered from Newport Mazda. Newport Mazda did offer to take the car back and give a refund, but by this time I had sold my old car and the original pre-reg deal was no longer available. Newport Mazda refused to acknowledge they had done anything wrong, but did agree to refund the difference in price between my car and the original pre-reg deal i could have got. The refund did take a few weeks to arrive, but it was paid. All in all I feel I was deliberately misled, and informed Trading Standards, although Newport Mazda deny any misleading practice.