Dodged a bullet

I'm writing this review to praise what they didn't do, which was sell me a car and subjecting me to buyer's remorse. This is a recent experience, and I had thought about it for a few days before deciding to write a review. I believe some may find this review helpfull. I have seen response from We Buy Cars on the platform that are fairly generic, so don't expect anything insightfull from them. I found the vehicle I was looking for (which is a discontinued model) online at the Brackenfell branch and another option at the Epping branch. The vehicle in Brackenfell was a 2019 with low mileage but without a full-service history. I informed them that I wanted to trade / sell my 2022 low mileage vehicle with full service history. While the gent from the buying department looked over my vehicle, I test drove the one I was interested in. I had prior looked at the Dekra reports for the vehicles online. the vehicle was (optimistically) rated 'A' Dekra Green. The reportr made no mention of the noticeable corrosion, but it did mention the worn front tyres that would need replacing for roadworthy. I inspected the vehicle avoiding an early emotional attachment. I noted that there was corrosion at most body joints / seams indicating that the body work was not looked after and thet the vehicle most likely spent it's life exposed to the elements. This I thought was unfortuante because mechanically it drove well and mechanically appeared in fair condition. The gent from the buying department returned a valuation on my current vehicle citing that it is in very good condtion but due to stock etc. a value approximatley 15% lower than what they are selling for second hand (even some with much higher mileage), I accepted that it is business that needs to turn a profit, however this was significantly lower than the vehile I had shown interest in. I told the salesman that I wanted to look into the other option in Epping first and then get back to him. Given the bodywork issues, I considered this vehicle in Brackenfell to be overpriced by at least R10k and dissmissed it as a viable option. The vehicle in the Epping branch of We Buy Cars was a 2017 model withdouble the mileage of the one in Brackenfell, It was reted Dekra Gold, meaning it is ready to go with no likely roadworthy issues. I examined the vehicle and noted no corrosion compared to the later 2019 model in Brackenfell. I noticed that 3 of the four head rests were missing, It had 3 different make of tyres. On the front seat was a piece of paper; it was a roadworthy inspection, which the vehicle had failed. I noted several highlighted failed items, but the salesman quickly removed the paper from me and he explained that he had taken for the inspection and it was only due to a missing wheel nut that he pointed out to me. He was nice enough, but I said I wouldn't bother taking the vehicle for a test drive having also noted that the service history was not exactly clear to be a full-service history. I thanked hime for showing me the vehicle. I returned home and considered my options, still keen on the make of vehicle I messaged the salesman in Brackenfell highlighting that the corrosion was putting me off and would maybe consider if there was a price reduction, (about 2%) noting that I would be in for 2 new tyres to get it through roadworthy, by this stage I was ignoring the little voice in my head telling me that I am developing an attachement to the vehicle that is going to cost me another R20k after roadworthy. The saleman said he would speak to his manager, thankfully he was not able to convince his manager and returned his managers decision that the price remains fixed. I noted that the vehicle is still listed on their website, so is the one in Epping but the price has been reduced. I am hoping this helps raise awarenss for prospective buyers. I just want people to ensure they go in with an open mind, to not get caught up in the excitement of a new (used) car, to check the reports, challenge them, take someone along that knows cars. I learnt from this experience that if I added the price of the vehicle, the cost of the tyres and roadworthy and panel shop to sort out the corrosion issues I could go to a reputable dealer to purchase the last year of that vehicle (2020) with lower mileage and a fully traceable dealer service history and provide the vehicle on the road registered in my name.