Purchasing a BuyBack?

[stephaniem2012]

We are shopping for a used 22 Mach E. There seem to be quite a few buy back options available, I have searched and seen comments both ways on whether someone should purchase (or not)a buyback vehicle. We tend to keep vehicles forever, so that is not a concern. How do you know if the reason the car was bought back was resolved? Does the dealer have that information? What other advice would you all have, in what to look for when considering purchasing a buyback vehicle?

We would most likely need to purchase the car and then have it shipped to us - so we would not physically see/drive the vehicle until we had it.

Link to the current consideration below. Advice is appreciated!!


https://www.fordhuntley.com/used-in...ium=referral&utm_campaign=autotrader_listings

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[Blue highway]

first off this is an unanswerable question because so much is neither black or white.

before I dropped $40K on a car I'd drop $400 on an airline ticket to see it.

It is my perspective that the majority of buybacks are because of software for the 22s. (or HVBJB for early 22s.) SW can be fixed. If it is a job1 22, make sure the HVBJB has been replaced.

Send the Vin to the FDRS thread here and ask to see what SW updates have been done and what hasn't... send that list to the dealer and include all module updates via FDRS before purchase. (its ~1 day shop time to do this)

18K is more than enough miles to torch GT tires... make sure you know what rubber is on the car before it arrives.

Best of luck

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

If I had the money for a direct purchase, I would definitely consider a buyback. But I would only purchase one that was sold and bought-back in a state with strict consumer protection laws (New Jersey & Washington, for example). Buybacks are generally sold at auction and so can end up anywhere in the country, so getting that CarFax report is vital to knowing what's happened with the vehicle.

And I wouldn't buy it without taking it for a drive, and checking all of the things @Blue highway mentioned. Ask the dealer for all of the repair/maintenance records that were filed with Ford. This should be something they can pull even if they weren't the ones who did the service.

For me, it would be worth the cost and time to fly to see the car in person, but I know that's not always a possibility for everyone. If you can't go see the car, I would insist on the records pertaining to the buyback and make sure the repairs were completed as required.


https://www.wftv.com/consumer/clark...ting-consumers-in-new-car-purchases/921844204

 

[stephaniem2012]

first off this is an unanswerable question because so much is neither black or white.

before I dropped $40K on a car I'd drop $400 on an airline ticket to see it.

It is my perspective that the majority of buybacks are because of software for the 22s. (or HVBJB for early 22s.) SW can be fixed. If it is a job1 22, make sure the HVBJB has been replaced.

Send the Vin to the FDRS thread here and ask to see what SW updates have been done and what hasn't... send that list to the dealer and include all module updates via FDRS before purchase. (its ~1 day shop time to do this)

18K is more than enough miles to torch GT tires... make sure you know what rubber is on the car before it arrives.

Best of luck

Thank you!! I have seen several posts about people buy cars without seeing them/driving them.....obviously this wouldn't be for everyone. I wondered that tune would change knowing the car was a buyback. Thank you for the feedback on the FDRS and the tires!!

 

[stephaniem2012]

If I had the money for a direct purchase, I would definitely consider a buyback. But I would only purchase one that was sold and bought-back in a state with strict consumer protection laws (New Jersey & Washington, for example). Buybacks are generally sold at auction and so can end up anywhere in the country, so getting that CarFax report is vital to knowing what's happened with the vehicle.

And I wouldn't buy it without taking it for a drive, and checking all of the things @Blue highway mentioned. Ask the dealer for all of the repair/maintenance records that were filed with Ford. This should be something they can pull even if they weren't the ones who did the service.

For me, it would be worth the cost and time to fly to see the car in person, but I know that's not always a possibility for everyone. If you can't go see the car, I would insist on the records pertaining to the buyback and make sure the repairs were completed as required.


https://www.wftv.com/consumer/clark...ting-consumers-in-new-car-purchases/921844204

Thank you for your feedback! The state information is so helpful I hadn't considered that. Google says that IL is the worst for consumer protection laws....that might explain why so many of them are for sale in IL.

Thanks!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Thank you for your feedback! The state information is so helpful I hadn't considered that. Google says that IL is the worst for consumer protection laws....that might explain why so many of them are for sale in IL.

Thanks!

Yeah, the IL dealers can purchase the vehicles at auction and there's not much protection for you from the state. What I don't know is if the vehicles have to be repaired before being sold, but I don't think they do. (I believe this because you can also purchase damaged/totaled vehicles that haven't been repaired.). I wouldn't purchase a buyback (or any vehicle) from an IL (or CO, ND, LA, MO, etc) dealer unless it was a screaming good deal and I was prepared to deal with the consequences.

 

[Maquis]

Yeah, the IL dealers can purchase the vehicles at auction and there's not much protection for you from the state. What I don't know is if the vehicles have to be repaired before being sold, but I don't think they do. (I believe this because you can also purchase damaged/totaled vehicles that haven't been repaired.). I wouldn't purchase a buyback (or any vehicle) from an IL (or CO, ND, LA, MO, etc) dealer unless it was a screaming good deal and I was prepared to deal with the consequences.

I’m pretty sure that a vehicle totaled by an insurance company (insurance company takes title of the vehicle) in Illinois gets a “salvage” title.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I’m pretty sure that a vehicle totaled by an insurance company (insurance company takes title of the vehicle) in Illinois gets a “salvage” title.

Yes.

 

[VegasWeezy]

A quick search shows that particular dealer has at least 5 branded title 2022 Mach e GTs. Sure looks like a dealer that buys these things at auction from all over and then resells them without providing much protection.

That would likely be too risky for me. But if you do your homework like those above have pointed out, you might be able to get a good deal and a vehicle that doesn't have serious issues.

 

[STL Mustang guy]

My 2021 Mach E GT is a buyback from Van Horn Ford in Lomira Wisconsin. I can see now that there are several Mach E's for sale there now that are buybacks also. My car was driven to me in St. Louis and my trade was driven back up to the dealership. I purchased the vehicle with 7600 miles on it. My particular vehicle was a buy back because the USB ports were overheating. At the time, Ford was unable to get a replacement part for the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time so it was a buyback. The ports were replaced and the vehicle went back up for sale. I've put roughly 6,000 miles on it already in 5 months and it's been flawless.

In my opinion, it was well worth buying a "buyback" car - At the time, I figured I saved roughly $13,000 VS a new Mach E GT. They gave me around $4,000 more in trade than any other dealer was offering and the Mach E was priced about 10% lower than comparable used GTs in the market. Knowing that I'm going to keep it for a minimum of 5-7 years I figured that savings was worth it. In the end, the buyback vehicles still have a significant amount of bumper to bumper warranty and that warranty still applies. If something is wrong, FORD has to fix it. I ended up purchasing the FORD extended warranty (through another dealer so it was cheap) so I know that my vehicle is covered for everything for the next 7 years, 100K miles.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

My 2021 Mach E GT is a buyback from Van Horn Ford in Lomira Wisconsin. I can see now that there are several Mach E's for sale there now that are buybacks also. My car was driven to me in St. Louis and my trade was driven back up to the dealership. I purchased the vehicle with 7600 miles on it. My particular vehicle was a buy back because the USB ports were overheating. At the time, Ford was unable to get a replacement part for the vehicle within a reasonable amount of time so it was a buyback. The ports were replaced and the vehicle went back up for sale. I've put roughly 6,000 miles on it already in 5 months and it's been flawless.

In my opinion, it was well worth buying a "buyback" car - At the time, I figured I saved roughly $13,000 VS a new Mach E GT. They gave me around $4,000 more in trade than any other dealer was offering and the Mach E was priced about 10% lower than comparable used GTs in the market. Knowing that I'm going to keep it for a minimum of 5-7 years I figured that savings was worth it. In the end, the buyback vehicles still have a significant amount of bumper to bumper warranty and that warranty still applies. If something is wrong, FORD has to fix it. I ended up purchasing the FORD extended warranty (through another dealer so it was cheap) so I know that my vehicle is covered for everything for the next 7 years, 100K miles.

Yeah, there are some incredible buybacks out there, and I wouldn't hesitate to investigate them, but I would still be wary. I did see one at a NJ dealer where the CarFax indicated that after 30k+ miles the entire HV battery was replaced and the price was about $15k lower than comparable used vehicles. That would have been a good deal.

I should probably step back from my statement that I wouldn't buy any car from an IL dealer. I'd probably not buy one where a major component was the reason for the buyback unless there was evidence it had been fully repaired.

 

[ARK]

I suppose if I were in your shoes, I’d be interested in knowing the price of a normal pre-owned Mach-E versus a buyback Mach-E to see if the discount was enough to chance it.

 

[Hammered]

There were some pretty hilarious buybacks out there that'd make for a great purchase. Checking what was done in FDRS history is a great way to find them.

 

[AaronTV]

We are shopping for a used 22 Mach E. There seem to be quite a few buy back options available, I have searched and seen comments both ways on whether someone should purchase (or not)a buyback vehicle. We tend to keep vehicles forever, so that is not a concern. How do you know if the reason the car was bought back was resolved? Does the dealer have that information? What other advice would you all have, in what to look for when considering purchasing a buyback vehicle?

We would most likely need to purchase the car and then have it shipped to us - so we would not physically see/drive the vehicle until we had it.

Link to the current consideration below. Advice is appreciated!!


https://www.fordhuntley.com/used-in...ium=referral&utm_campaign=autotrader_listings

I also purchased a buyback (early 2021 premium) and it has mostly been a positive experience. But, in my case, a key to that outcome is having a local dealer that is quick to address the few issues that had to be dealt with (updates way behind, no functioning bluecruise, and most recently front camera faults). A '22 probably won't have as many software issues but if I were you, I'd EXPECT you'll need to bring it in for an issue or two in the short term. If you're comfortable with that then go for it.

I did have a helpful forum member (Mach-Lee) check the car's history and he told me everything that had been done.

Buybacks still maintain warranty so the only short term concerns should be resale value (which you addressed already) and what I said above.

Good luck!

 

[hayhayday]

Even if it is a minor problem which was fixed resale will be impacted, if you intend to keep for good might be less of a concern but also will effect insurance payout if totaled (gap might be more worthwhile than average but check it doesnt exclude branded titles) . Most banks won't finance branded titles so you maybe stuck with whatever rate you get if not paying cash even if rates drop back down. Some insurers wont insure branded titles or will only insure for liability and with state of current insurance maket the prevalence might increase in future as they try to limit risk. If I was getting 30-50% off might be well worth it but much less than that I would think twice and buy longest extended warranty offered as buybacks likely have at least slightly above average claims rate.

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