Anyone else nervous about paying upfront to Whelan Transport? any real experience ?

[ZappaZeek]

Hey
I’m looking for a the first first car for my lad and came across a 2021 BMW 320d SE listed on eBay at first glance i assumed it was a private seller, but it turns out the advert is managed by Whelan Transport up in belfast. They mentioned that the car is a repossession acquired through an auction, which clarifies why it’s priced lower than comparable options nearby.
Has anyone here had experience with Whelan Transport before? I'm attempting to determine whether this is all genuine or if I should consider stepping back.
Thanks

[Mututing]

Never bought from whelan transport myself but i’d say your caution is fair. Repo cars can be great value, but only if the company behind them is genuine I picked up a car from a finance auction last year and saved a fortune, definitely worth doing your homework before committing.

[Bitxx]

do they actually have a yard you can visit? even if you don’t end up going, a company being open to viewings is usually a good sign. If they dodge that question I’d be wary.

[ZappaZeek]

They’re based in belfast, so popping over isn’t really practical for me.
Whelan Transport offered home delivery and explained the payment goes into a segregated company account, not straight to them but still feels a bit risky though, especially wiring that sort of money.

[HushedGamer]

Evening all,
I bought a 2020 skoda superb sportline from whelan transport about a month ago, so thought i’d share. The process was actually very easy. my bank did pause the transfer initially because it was a new payee, but once I confirmed what it was for, it cleared the same day.
Whelan Transport explained that the funds stay in a separate holding account until the car arrives and you confirm you’re happy, mine turned up after 6 days, freshly cleaned and better than expected.

[ZappaZeek]

@HushedGamer appreciate that. Honest question though weren’t you worried once the money left your account?

[HushedGamer]

I was, yeah!!
What helped was speaking to them several times, checking their company details, and reading threads like this one, the segregated account was a big reassurance it’s not like the money disappears into their operating account plus, with the current bank rules, there’s more protection than there used to be if something genuinely goes wrong.

[Hypabl]

I went through Whelan Transport last autumn and bought a 2022 RR Evoque. Delivery to Nottingham took just over a week. the driver rang ahead to make sure access was ok which i appreciated. car arrived fully valeted, serviced, and with all docuemtns present.
I had a 10-day inspection period, but I didn’t need it car drove perfectly from day one.

[LunaCraze]

Same here I picked up a 2023 Hyundai Tucson through them earlier this year what i liked was the payment structure, £1,000 deposit first, then the balance only once the car was fully prepped and ready to be loaded. Whelan Transport sent photos, inspection notes, and even a copy of the v5 before dispatch.

[ZappaZeek]

thanks everyone, this is actually helping a lot.
I’ve spoken to them again this afternoon and they’ve issued the deposit invoice going to sleep on it tonight, but feeling a lot more comfortable than I did yesterday.
 

[LunaCraze]

You’ll be fine! If you want, I can even send you a photo of my Tucson still got it parked outside

[ZappaZeek]

all good mate, appreciate the offer

[TraumaLaugh]

Worth adding, I had to pull out of a deal with Whelan Transport last year after paying a £1,000 deposit. Family emergency came up, and I rang them straight away.
They refunded the deposit the next working day, no hassle at all, even though the car had already been cleaned and booked for transport, that alone said a lot about how they operate.

[ZappaZeek]

The bmw arrived today and it’s spot on.
massive thanks to everyone who replied!!!