Anyone here purchased a repo through Grimes Transport recently? safe or risky?

[alpaco45]

I was browsing eBay yesterday and came across a listing that piqued my interest the prices were significantly lower than what is typically seen for that model. Out of curiosity I sent an enquiry and got a message back from Grimes Transport.

Apparently, they’ve started handling repo vehicles taken back by finance companies when people couldn’t keep up with their payments. They said that’s why the prices are so competitive.

I’ve never heard of them before, though. Has anyone here dealt with Grimes Transport, either for delivery or buying a vehicle?

[Howard_silver]

Never used them myself, but I’d be extra cautious. Loads of dodgy ads floating around these days, especially when someone mentions “repossession” or “inspection guarantee.” Make sure they’re properly registered and have a physical address before you part with a penny.
 

[DreamWeaver]

Good point, @Howard_silver.
Personally, I always prefer seeing the car in person, taking it for a quick spin, and checking documents before making any payment. It’s not always possible, but it does save a lot of worry later.
@alpaco45, do you know where they’re based?

[alpaco45]

Yeah, they said their main yard is in Belfast, near George Best Airport. Trouble is, I’m down in Exeter, so popping up there for a viewing isn’t exactly practical. They did mention they offer nationwide delivery with a 10 day inspection window and money-back option if I’m not happy. Still, I’d rather hear from someone who’s actually used them before.

[carBlacken]

Hi,

Funny you mention that, I actually bought a 2019 VW Passat through Grimes Transport a few months ago. Was a bit sceptical at first, same as you, but everything went smoothly.
The car reached my location in Manchester after approximately a week. They allowed me to hold onto it for ten days before concluding the purchase. I had my local mechanic look at it, and it was precisely as described. I accepted the car to ensure the payment was released to Grimes Transport without any hassle afterward Honestly, they were great to deal with.

[Skd884]

I haven’t purchased a vehicle from them, but I have used their shipping service a couple of times for my company. We moved two pallet loads of equipment from Belfast to Lyon, and they sorted all customs paperwork and transport without a hitch. Communication was spot-on. 
So while I can’t speak for the car sales, the logistics division seems very well run.

[alpaco45]

That’s reassuring, did you have to pay everything before delivery, or do they take a deposit first?
 

[carBlacken]

Full payment upfront, but hear me out. I did a proper background check first: they’re listed with Companies House, and I spoke to two different people there before paying. They explained that payments go into a segregated company account, not their normal business one, and that the funds stay on hold until I confirm the car is as described. That gave me confidence. The whole thing was completely transparent, and they answered every question I threw at them.

[UrbanFox]

Hey all
Last summer I bought a 2021 Hyundai Tucson from Grimes Transport. The delivery took approximately ten days from the time of payment to arrival and I appreciated that they allowed me to inspect the vehicle first, there was no pressure to "accept" immediately. A seamless experience and an appealing price for a repossessed vehicle.
All the signs scream SCAM, but it turns out to be the a genuine deal!

[alpaco45]

Quick update! the 2022 Skoda Superb I ordered arrived this morning, exactly seven days after I made the payment. Couldn’t be happier! My mechanic gave it a full once-over and said it’s in great nick.

Thanks to everyone here who shared their experiences, it made the decision a lot easier. My wife loves it already.

[QuietStorm84]

Glad to hear it all worked out, mate. Seems like Grimes Transport is building a solid name for themselves. I’ve been eyeing a repo Toyota RAV4 they listed last week might give them a ring tomorrow.
 

[Ortsmatt]

Totally get that! I was a bit unsure about buying something without seeing it first, but I ended up getting a Mazda CX-5 from Grimes a couple of months back. The only little issue was that the delivery truck couldn’t squeeze down my street (it’s a narrow Victorian terrace!), so they had to unload around the corner.
The driver was polite and handled everything professionally. Car was spotless, and the price... well I couldn’t find anything similar for under £10k elsewhere.

[TurboTommy]

Honestly, I thought this post was going to end with “it was a scam”! Recently, scams have turned into a widespread issue in the UK.

It’s rare these days to see UK companies actually delivering what they promise. Feels like every other week someone’s getting ripped off online so fair play to Grimes Transport for doing things properly.

[alpaco45]

Totally agree, whole process was smooth from start to finish. If they keep running things like this, they’ll have plenty more happy customers soon!