Thanks scaniaman, details of who operatest TS in Motherwell would be most appreciated.

Hi scaniaman, thanks for the input. The car's Titan Silver, which I think is what makes seeing these all over marks difficult to see in the rain, and in overcast conditions. The Motherwell store isn't specifically BMW, so what questions does this raise for you? I, personally, have no doubt that the car's been misrepresented, but AC haven't evn responded to my letter in which I requested a response within 7 days, which makes me feel as though they're not taking my complaint seriously. Can anyone recommend action that doesn't involve the costs of a solicitor (yet), and will be likely to get them to engage? Trad Stad? CaB? All, thanks again for your responses, I'm incredibly grateful.

Thank you for this, it's very very useful to know. Do you lovely people think getting a solicitor to draft a letter would perhaps prompt the dealers to provide some actual customer service. Ideally, I don't want to return the car, and would much prefer for the issues to be addressed, so would be grateful for any guidance offerered which might aid this outcome. I will certainly try to get some photos up, however the point it was advertised as having no damage, or aesthetic repairs having been done seems to me that this would fall under 'not as described'. If I'm wrong, I'm certainly open to being told so.

I paid in full with a Visa Debit Card. Do you really think taking the route of charge back would even be entertained? When you say SHARK, if that's a work that rhymes with th second name of the dealers in question, you'd be spot on. As for the car, it's a 520d (58 plate), with 56k on the clock, and was priced at £13k. As for the car being listed in their name since new, I find it difficult to believe that they wouldn't be in the know about the car receiving a majority respray.

@ashmk - I think the same, but they clearly think they have no responsibility in the matter! @oddjobbob - If the issues weren't these 'bag marks', then I could certainly understand them thinking I may have done something to the paintwork, however I contacted them on the very same day, before I'd arrived home from collecting the car, and my local body repair specialist has confirmed they're due to the car having a majority respray. I have a quotation for the issues to be rectified (bonnet moisture patches, bag-marks and several deeper scratches), of £950 +VAT, but I'll be most disheartened if I'm left with this bill, in light of their written confirmation that bodywork was good, and that the vehicle hadn't had any aesthetic repair work. I guess they could plead ignorance, however the V5 shows the previous owner to me, as being the Finance arm of this particular dealership, since new.

Good afternoon all, I'm really hoping for some guidance, on what's turning out to be a stressfull car purchase. 06/07/12: Saw second hand BMW 5 Series (Touring) for sale at a certain well known dealer (Motherwell branch. I live in Wrexham). I emailed their web-sales team to start negotiations and pose questions regarding the vehicle (considering the 250 miles train journey required). Questions below: What warranty does the car come with and is it local or national (i.e Car Care Plan)? How long / many miles until next service is due? Does it come with 12 months MOT? What's front and rear tyre wear like (mm's)? What does iDrive detail for each diagnostic point (miles til oil check, break fluid, pads and discs)? Are there any external dents, scratches or scuffs (alloys included)? Internal scratches or tears? Has the car been in any accidents / had any structural / aesthetic repair work? Received a reply as follows: Used cars are sold with 2 months warranty. Warranty repairs can be done in any ***** branch. In some exceptional cases we can authorise work to be carried out by separate VAT registered garages, but that’s at the branch manager’s discretion. ** Serviced and MOTd by us on 22nd June 2012 At least 6mm tread on all tyres iDrive shows 19000 miles for everything except brake pads, which show 28000 miles No damage on the bodywork or interior No evidence of accidents/structural or aesthetic repair work having been done. 07/07/12: Took the two trains and one bus trip required to get to the dealer in Motherwell, and after a long wait (50 mins) was able to see the car. IT looked to be a stunning, silver 5 Series, and despite it raining heavily and being overcast, I took time to wipe as much water from the panels to check for dents, scratches and blemishes. It all looked fine, and I continued to purchase the car. Driving home, I stopped near home (as the car was now dry) to appreciate the car (I drove a 52 plate Corsa before this!). I was absolutely gutted to see that there were patches on the bonnet, both sides and the roof. They're highly visible in direct sunlight, and during visit to a local bodyshop I learned they were called 'bag marks'. There were other issues present too (darker, defined patches on the bonnet, which I've learned are moisture marks, and some fairly deep scratching to a few panels). The guy at the repair place advised that the car had received a majority re-spray, and that although the respray was generally very good, and that the issues present could happen to any body repairer, the issues weren't acceptable and should have been dealt with. I contacted the dealers, and sent through photographs of the issues, asking for their assistance. Their reply, in a nutshell, was 'tough luck', as I'd checked the car over and bought it as seen. Their argument is that a 58 plate car should be expected to have bodywork issues. My argument is that I'd received a written response from them to advise the car was without damage, and that there was no evidence of repair work, and I see this as a SoGA issue. 08/07/12 to 15/07/12: Emails back and forth, basically saying the same things. 15/07/12: After speaking with another customer of the local bodywork repair place (luckily a solicitor), I sent an email and letter detailing the problems, and that they had 7 days to respond, regarding covering the cost of repairs, or receiving the vehicle back (I'd prefer to keep the car, as mechanically, it appears sound). 20/07/12 to 27/07/12: Family holiday. Returned on 27th July to find no responses to my email / letter. I guess my question is, is it unreasonable of me to expect them to address the issues? I understand I bought the vehicle and drove it away, but it was only when the vehicle was in sunlight that I could see the problems (numerous 'bag marks', on all panels other than the tail of the vehicle, moisture marks and fairly deep scratches in 4 or 5 locations). Do I have a case? If so, is it clear? Thanks so much, in advance, for any guidance you can offer.