Dealer Sold Me a Loaner / Dealer Used Car as an Ex-Demo Car

Lpkxo1989 on 12/10/2025 - 21:55
Last edited 13/10/2025 - 10:34

Sales told me it was an ex-demo car , with 6k km and 9months old.

But later I realize that:

  1. The vehicle history shows usage in both Queensland and Melbourne.

  2. Location records indicate visits to approximately 30 different places, including airports, schools, and tennis courts.

  3. There are visible scratches around the rear of the car and some minor interior wear.

  4. The vehicle missed a scheduled 3-month service.

  5. I am listed as the third registered owner, with two previous dealer registrations.

  6. The VicRoads report includes incorrect fuel type documentation.

Can they still sell it as ''ex-demo car'' ? ( they sell it like new car price, I bought it because they said they don't have new car )

I need some advise / suggestion.

Automotive

Comments

        • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 11:06

          lesson learnt, they told me there are hard to find in other dealer too, and i trusted them.

          • ozb1ozb2ozb3 on 13/10/2025 - 14:31

            @pkxo1989: There, there… "Lesson learnt"

            Time to move on mate. No need to get too emotional about stuff. In 5 yrs it won't feel much different from a new car you might have bought. Just make sure to maintain it well. And promise me you will never ever post something like "Rear-ended a car. Realised had not renewed insurance"

      • MS Paint on 13/10/2025 - 11:11
        +3

        Why sign the contract if it wasn't a bargain?

  • snapper17 on 13/10/2025 - 10:51

    Newsflash. If it’s not brand new it’s used
    They can call it anything they want. Demo. Executive demo. If it’s been used it could of been used by anyone for any purpose

    How much did you save compared to a new one?

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 10:56

      ~1.5%

      • ihbh on 13/10/2025 - 12:43
        +5

        f me dead!

      • Muppet Detector on 13/10/2025 - 16:31

        Did you get floor mats? Dash mat? Steering wheel cover? Tinting?

        Anything extra that are often included for nought to sweeten the deal?

        How much is 1.5%?

        • MS Paint on 13/10/2025 - 16:53

          No dealer would offer a steering wheel cover as an option/extra. They are stupid and dangerous.

          • Muppet Detector on 13/10/2025 - 17:53

            @MS Paint: whistles

            Except we did. Matched the seat covers and floor mats too.

            Have never been successful in receiving a free dash mat though, have always had to source them from somewhere else.

      • Blackadda on 15/10/2025 - 11:59

        i would insist on new for that you crazy buying a 6k km used car for 1.5% less than new.
        i'd be wanting 10% min.

  • afah0447 on 13/10/2025 - 11:02
    +2

    Just make sure its priced accordingly.

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 11:05
      -1

      Too easy to trust the sale, my bad

    • MrFrugalSpend on 14/10/2025 - 21:39

      Exactly, provided the price is right. I bought one kind of like this. It was dealer owned and had been used by staff members as a company car.
      They'd done something weird like dealer plates I presume meaning it hadn't been registered all that long, so recent warranty start, and sold it as a 'demo' with 9000kms on it.
      I even got them to throw in touch up of a mark on the bottom of the bumper which was the only blemish I could find.

      … but it was a current model car RRP over $45,000+ 'on roads' that I got for <$26,000 drive away!! They had a few of them, and wanted them gone as the dealer was stopping selling that brand of car, so it was an absolute bargain.

      • wisb0 on 15/10/2025 - 14:26

        what brand?

  • bbinc on 13/10/2025 - 11:02
    +3

    Car dealerships are places to have your wits about you. Be suspicious of everything. Trust no one. Check everything. Then check again. And realise you still might miss something. It’s part of life.

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 11:05

      true, lesson learnt

  • SuperMid on 13/10/2025 - 11:06
    +5

    ex-demo is a nice way of saying used car

    op you bought a used car, no matter which way you look at it

    • JimB on 13/10/2025 - 11:39
      +2

      Unless it has under 100km on the clock, consider it used.

  • Mark1159 on 13/10/2025 - 11:33
    +4

    The pilot in me now takes written checklist into dealership; can check everything off in the the heat of negotiation, the “close”, the “double or triple close”.

    Write final price on my hand and don’t deviate. Leave with that price or shop elsewhere.

    BTW I’ve stuffed up before and paid overs :)

    • JimB on 13/10/2025 - 11:40
      +1

      There's a good argument for the direct to consumer- fixed price model such as Telsa.

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 13:04

      true, now lesson learnt

  • Randxyz123 on 13/10/2025 - 12:21
    +9

    I am going to make the assumption based on your minor grammar mistakes, you might be new to the country and have been slightly ripped off by a dealer only giving a small discount on a ex-demo car. That is unfortunate and I am sorry that has happened.

    The reality is there is nothing you can do. As others have said there is no legal definition of ex demo. Car brands often let the dealer principal use one of the demo cars as their car. Then when a new model comes out they can swap it out. It is still a demo though. It isn't a "used" car as it wasn't owned by anyone other than dealers. Going down any legal road here would be a waste of money and your time.

    Also models can be requested by dealers from around Australia so if QLD had an extra demo they didn't need, it can be requested to be sent to Melbourne if they are getting lots of requests to demo that model.

    What you probably should have done is ask for advice before purchasing. As you have already purchased, don't worry about it, move on and enjoy your new car.

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 13:06
      +1

      thanks for your comment and kindness.

  • Drakesy on 13/10/2025 - 12:21
    +1

    OP, sorry but this is on you.

    These are all typical of a dealer demo.
    Demos get used by staff, customers, etc.
    Thats why they're cheaper, because they're used.

  • serpserpserp on 13/10/2025 - 12:23
    +4

    Ex-demo means the car the boys thrash around town during the week and Friday 4pm beers and burnouts in the back alleyway

    • MS Paint on 13/10/2025 - 13:00
      +2

      Manual mode, keep the needle up near the red section. Too easy.

  • Naigrabzo on 13/10/2025 - 12:44

    Wait what? A car dealer has sold an old car as new? ;) This is nothing new. Be very weary of car dealers in general.

  • Euphemistic on 13/10/2025 - 12:57
    +5

    Did you not inspect the car before purchase?

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 13:07

      I did but seems not enough.

  • bazingaa on 13/10/2025 - 13:36
    +1

    VicRoads report includes incorrect fuel type documentation.

    What is this ? Car is a diesel but vicroads says it is petrol ?

    • serpserpserp on 13/10/2025 - 14:02

      Car says Ron 95 while VicRoads say Ron 96

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 17:38

      it's petrol but report is diesel

  • wannagrababargain on 13/10/2025 - 14:47
    +3

    6k km in 9 months is a lot for a demo. Great sleuthing on the due diligence but usually you do this before hand (and use it as a bargaining tool if still interested) rather than after the fact.

  • Homr on 13/10/2025 - 17:31
    +3

    i thought OP wrote it has driven 6kms which to me was quite low, then I read the comments and re-read OP and it was 6,000kms hahaha. That is alot for a demo

  • altomic on 13/10/2025 - 18:49
    +1

    how's the bonut?

  • justdigi on 13/10/2025 - 19:25
    +2

    If this was a Kia and went to airports and tennis courts in Queensland and Victoria, it was probably used by Tennis Australia in January for the Brisbane International and Australian Open matches. Kia are sponsor and official vehicle supplier. Though I only saw EVs and you say it’s petrol, so maybe not. Either way, if you’re the first private non-dealer owner, it’s still a demo.

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 20:20

      maybe, January in Melbourne and April in Brisbane airport and mine is hybrid HEV.

  • Slowestdriver1 on 13/10/2025 - 19:40

    Seems you got scammed

    • pkxo1989 on 13/10/2025 - 20:25

      not sure yet,

      • Slowestdriver1 on 13/10/2025 - 20:50
        +6

        To be fair whenever you are in a car dealership you’re being scammed regardless

        • Spookware on 14/10/2025 - 17:53
          +1

          Scammed and bought a Kia, what a dreadful life.

  • Newozbargainuser on 14/10/2025 - 05:04
    +2

    Sorry for your experience op - the hard thing with dealerships is they are incredibly good at pressuring a decision. A lot of people saying “why didn’t you think to check X and Y” but it is easy to be pressured and believe a sales pitch at the time.

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:40

      they are good sales.

  • imurgod on 14/10/2025 - 09:05
    +3

    Don't worry about it too much.

    I once bought a "demo" Mercedes AMG with 6,000km on the odometer and had anxiety over it, despite the price being substantially lower than new.

    It had warranty, it had been serviced and it gave me absolutely zero issues for the 6 years I had it.

    I hope you have the same experience.

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:39

      Happy to hear that, and happy for you.

  • Brick Tamland on 14/10/2025 - 09:26
    +1

    Ex demo simply means it hasn’t been registered non-dealer use yet.

    So you can get ex demo cars that haven’t even had the number plates attached yet (but registered) and never driven - the Cupra clearance recently. Or it’s been used extensively by the dealer for everything. I’ve recently seen a demo gr Corolla going for $63k with 6,000 km and you just know that thing has been flogged half to death.

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:44

      as i know once dealer transfer the car to other dealer, it's can't called ''ex-demo'' car already, I am not sure if it's correct or not.

      • Brick Tamland on 15/10/2025 - 18:51
        +1

        I am pretty sure that registration is classified as dealer or non-dealer (private). It's not uncommon that cars will be sold from dealer to dealer to dealer before being registered to a customer.

        • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:56

          is that mean they can transfer as many dealer as they want as ''demo'' before selling it?

          If yes, that's really sad

          • Brick Tamland on 15/10/2025 - 18:58

            @pkxo1989: They do lots of strange things. I've just purchased an ex-demo too. Doesnt even has its number plates fitted its basically brand new with like 10km on it

  • GuitarXXX on 14/10/2025 - 11:10
    +2

    I am with OP, this "ex-demo" term is confusing - at the face value it means it was used as a demo car, ie display / test drive for demo purpose. But it all depends on good the price is for your purchase.

    • JimB on 14/10/2025 - 11:46
      +1

      It was test driven….. for 6,000km lol.

  • CocaKoala on 14/10/2025 - 12:06
    +4

    The vehicle missed a scheduled 3-month service.

    This alone means that the manufacturer will be able to outright refuse any warranty claims in the future. If your car is within the cooling off period, I suggest returning it for your money back.

    Also how come you didn't check these records BEFORE giving your money?!

    • MS Paint on 14/10/2025 - 13:37
      +3

      The complimentary 3 month kia service, I believe, is voluntary and not a scheduled requirement. It's just an inspection. No parts are replaced. No oil is changed. They probably actually do nothing. It's just a feel good service to make you think Kia is looking after you.

  • maverickjohn on 14/10/2025 - 21:06
    +1

    Yeah that's completely on you.
    I bought an ex demo and the seller told me it was his previous work car..
    Didn't care but I checked it properly before buying… Unlike you it seems

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:37

      if the sale told me it's a heavy dealer used car, i will check more carefully.

  • Mumbles on 14/10/2025 - 22:51
    +1

    OP I am sorry about your unhappiness. It sounds like a difference in buyer expectation and the actual condition of the car and usage of the car.

    Its not unlawful for a used car or an ex-demo to sell for higher than new price. Eg. Covid years.

    Unfortunately, anything that is not formally documented in writing (eg. a written contract) isn't worth the paper its written on. So anything verbal is useless. Car sales staff frequently do last minute unexpected stuff like deliver last years model car even though a buyer waited 6 months deliver for brand new car.

    It's not all bad. OP wanted a car ASAP and with least time investment visiting other dealerships. The dealership obliged. Immediacy comes at a premium. Even if you bought on the private used car market a buyer would expect to pay more if they desperately needed a car on the same day.

    I'd say take it as a paid life lesson. To save money you need to spend time. Eg. read reviews of the cars, reviews of the dealerships, word of mouth on local sales staff, prices that friends paid, visit every dealership in the area (even if to hear the different sales staff re-confirm the same info like Covid worldwide shortages in car production… etc).

    If you are new to learning how to deal with high pressure sales staff my best advice in the future is meet as many car salesmen BEFORE buying the car (eg. Tell the sales person you are not in a hurry to buy and your priority is finding the cheapest deal). Months or weekends beforehand start to visit as many dealerships (with or without family, is research for short-listing cars). Even revisit the same dealerships and encounter a new salesman (shonky dealerships have high turn over of sales staff and massive sales teams). Encounter the spectrum of sales staff, the good, the bad and da ugly. Learn to find the salesman you love and who deserves the commission.

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:35

      thanks for your comment, lesson learnt.

  • fl360 on 15/10/2025 - 13:51
    +1

    I bought a fair few new cars in the past, for me, any car over 100 km on the clock are ex-demo, used "new" and I expect a few grand off the new price.

    However un-driven demo are the real gems here, I bought 2 un-driven demo with less than 20km on the clock for a steep discounts in the past.

    ex-demo are not new cars, so the discounts should reflect that, if the price is not far from new, it is the OP's fault.

  • Some Guy on 15/10/2025 - 15:57
    +1

    I was looking at new Volvo XC60 a few years ago. After waiting for it to be returned from a previous test drive, I test drove one with 200km on it. Even after my test drive salesman insisted it is a new vehicle and refused to reduce the price. He kept calling even after I said I wasn't interested in that car or one at that price which he refused to reduce the whole time.

  • Diesmile on 15/10/2025 - 16:35
    +1

    not familiar with other brand, but lexus usually let brand new car be a test driver car until it reaches around 5000 km, then sell it as exdemo or dealer used car.

    generally speaking, you will get discount about 1km per dollar from the new car price.

    ie, if the new car is 75k, then with 5000km travelled, you can get it for 70k.

    • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 18:33

      in that case, i am overpaid

      • TEER3X on 15/10/2025 - 19:00
        +1

        You live, you learn

        In future when making large purchases (car, house, etc), take your time and get some advice before committing if you're not entirely sure about things.

        • pkxo1989 on 15/10/2025 - 20:35
          -2

          thanks for your advise

  • johnno07 on 16/10/2025 - 15:15
    +2

    Where are the people like OP when I'm selling my own cars? All I have to say is that it's an ex demo and they ignore the 100,000km on the clock.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join