How To Beat This Common Car-Buying Scam | Your Car Stories

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This week, we reveal an increasingly common car-buying scam, discuss things that grind your gears and Gareth talks about his recent run-in with the law!
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Ethan: / ethansmale
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---- Credits ----
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[@Blackhawkso]

Timestamps 00:05 - Welcome 00:23 - Filming location 00:54 - Why no podcast van 01:05 - What have we been up to? 01:09 - Ethan 01:44 - What should Ethan call his instagram? 03:00 - Ethan's birthday present from Lego 04:16 - Jack 05:07 - 500k Audi A4 06:40 - Alex 06:42 - Firesafety stick 08:27 - Vitara update 09:27 - Gareth 14:11 - Last time Gareth got pulled over 15:06 - Gareth talking about mayo not milk 15:55 - Email from Kenny - Instagram stickers yay or nay? 19:19 - Grinds my gears - Mathew - car dealers judging buyers by their clothes 25:26 - Grinds my gears - Dan - Neighbours bad parking 28:50 - Car story - Stephen - Car buying/selling nightmare 36:13 - 20 questions 42:15 - Funny car ads 46:43 - Grinds my gears - Stephen - Motorbike filtering 49:09 - Filtering on a motorbikle that makes no noise 51:04 - Electric scooters 52:21 - Grinds my gears - Ethan - Cutting across on T-junctions 55:24 - Anymore anger venting 55:27 - Jack 55:59 - Alex 56:35 - Wrapup

[@CarThrottle]

The hero we all want but don't deserve

[@geoffersmaher]

Someone give this man a job. That job at least

[@ioanekoroivuki543]

You are an absolute legend!!! Thank you!

[@Kieren.5]

This guy needs to get payed for this on yr pod casts

[@idokwatcher2062]

So where is the "car buying scam" with the head gasket?

[@icanrunat3200mhz]

You made me stand in the middle of work screaming Suzuki Cappuccino repeatedly at the screen. That was ROUGH.

[@EvoBeard]

I was shouting "Cappuccino!" for so long, my missus was like "We only have normal coffee!"

[@thomastice3475]

The problems with girls not knowing cars😂😂

[@MEchanicAL_LSTAR]

I’m at work and was screaming it in my head.

[@hiljicardrawings3467]

i was thinking vitara the whole time lol

[@TheTopG420]

That would be no problem as i have a bean to cup coffee machine ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦄

[@adamhamilton8242]

Damn, I need to remember to look at the comments AFTER the video 😂

[@MN-ke5uu]

There is no option, it has to be Ethans wood😄

[@the_duke_of_bork8702]

@Ethan Smale It should be the name of your Onlyfans page though.

[@tankbates9829]

If that's taken, Ethans Hardwood ... or Ethans Softwood.... or Ethans Woodworks. ...the puns are too much xD

[@vauxhallfan676]

Who wood know

[@paulcullen814]

How about Ethan's Got Wood??

[@willj476]

I would also be okay with "Ethan's got wood"

[@Christbp]

Bloke " What do I do about this parking?" Jack "Smash his fu**ing windows" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mrguest3749]

28:32

[@vampyplays5835]

Playing with wood ft Ethan

[@icanrunat3200mhz]

I had a friend who moved away to the UK to a place called St. John's Wood. Being in middle school, we all thought that was hysterical.

[@OLI-vx1md]

What's your trouble with St John's wood?

[@icanrunat3200mhz]

@@OLI-vx1md well, I don't want to see it

[@EvoBeard]

Hey now, our Patron Saint of Ambulances had such glorified boners that they named a place in London after them.

[@jackbailey3839]

That’s like a 3/10 for dirty English place names, feel free to come visit my sleepy village of Fingringhoe

[@TheRCBasher69420]

@@jackbailey3839 is that an actual place

[@Booka3141]

I was thinking Cappuccino up until: "is it constant RWD?" "No"!? 38:08 Unless he's referring to it having an open diff, in which case jog on.

[@1990leesayles]

speaking of the old high milers ive spotted miles the octavia around were i live its currently delivering dominos in bridlington east yorkshire

[@gabrielcaramet3238]

How did it look beten up or not?

[@1990leesayles]

@@gabrielcaramet3238 no just as good as it left car throttle my friend works there and told me the same guy has bought the £150 bmw aswell

[@SoLongAstoria]

Someone delivers Dominos in an 02-plate Octavia Estate ''Laurin & Klement'' near me

[@KartsAgainstHumanity]

@@gabrielcaramet3238 It was sold to oakley edward wheelwright. @oakleyedwardwheelwright on instagram

[@TheShlongman]

I thought they completed renovated Miles?

[@Usercouldnotbefound]

Ethans woodwork chanel should be called "Smales hammer n nails" 🤣

[@SweetShadowBehind]

Actually 'Hammer and Smale' could be quite clever

[@arrongarner9392]

@@SweetShadowBehind yeah anything along them lines i reckon lol

[@czrptr6849]

That classic romenian trick, oil in the water. The sacred trick.

[@Bularistan4o]

As soon as I heard Suzuki.. I thought of a Cappuccino lol.

[@enzoangelo1161]

Needs to be called Ethans got wood

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

Ethan's mayor wood.

[@FireSafetyStick]

Thanks for the shout out guys! Glad to be keeping Phil covered now, Alex. Would be great to have you guys come and see how these work and what they can do sometime!

[@bchurch19]

In this case it didn't end in anything, but just a heads up, if a police officer asks you why you think you've been stopped, NEVER give them an answer. They're often trying to get you to admit guilt and you may end up incriminating yourself unnecessarily. Just say you don't know.

[@keelanoconnell3393]

But if you’ve done wrong, own up to it. At the end of the day, they just want everyone to get home safely

[@bchurch19]

@@keelanoconnell3393 If it's indisputable then yeah maybe hold your hands up, but otherwise keep your mouth shut. For example if they suspect you of speeding, do not roll over and apologise for going too fast. You're admitting guilt and will encourage them to pursue things further because it'll be an easy win for them. Police use bunch tactics, questions and phrases deliberately designed to get you to do just that. I think you have a little too much faith in our police force and legal system. Their job these days is to meet targets and quotas and they'll happily do that at the expense of the public, often unlawfully. That being said certainly don't want to tarnish all police officers with this brush, the root cause lies with the government and system.

[@dannydow6694]

Never heard so much rubbish, I’m a cop and you just highlight the type of idiots we deal with on a daily basis who think they know better 🤦‍♂️😒

[@nikolal.4502]

@@keelanoconnell3393 LOL don't be so naive... A lot of them get pleasure by screwing people as much as they can. They aren't your friends and you don't know who is good and who is an asshole. So better keep your mouth shut in these situations.

[@bchurch19]

@@dannydow6694 What a surprise, a pretend 'cop' disagrees, who would have thought?

[@ollydavis5702]

This podcast is the best thing about a Monday, definitely makes a shit day at work better when I get home

[@THFC1199]

Still depresses me that Ethan is using his garage for something other than his car, especially his project Z3.

[@THFC1199]

@Ethan Smale it's only because I'm still waiting to hear back on my Council garage application. Until then I won't apologise. I'm sorry that's just the way I am.

[@jimandali0]

“Ethans eyes your wood”, could be an episode for people to post their carpenters nightmares.

[@mhicks80]

Bet the salesmans still crying over that £50 he missed out on for ignoring a test pilot lol

[@allothernamesbutthis]

on the other hand he would have dropped it another 500 to sell it.

[@1one3_Racing]

I mean, its a used 330d. When I worked in used cars we didn't even get commissions. It was just, here's your wage, sell this many cars or your fired....

[@michaelloach9461]

Back in the early '90's I was a salesman for a car company. An elderly, scruffy looking gent came in & was looking at a new 4X4. My fellow salesmen totally ignored him. I took an interest as I was young & eager & thought I could improve my sales technique just by talking to the man. To cut a long story short he bought the Landcruiser in cash & that's when I found out that Scotland did a £100 note! Book....cover....do not judge! All the best...........

[@markwright3161]

"Battery's dead, bugger" KZbin decides to show me an ad for an electric MG

[@janpruijser8649]

Surely it should be a pub. It's the type of chat that normally happens in a pub and there's plenty of empty pubs at the moment.

[@BenBrownbobthemac]

It's only rental e-scooters that are legal, if you own one privately you can only use it on private land. I know a number of people that have had them seized by police or been warned if they are caught riding it again it will be seized.

[@crimblycrimbo6332]

I'm so glad that you guys don't agree with the jogging bottoms guy. Annoys me when people don't expect to be judged if they don't put the effort in.

[@MrMadhame]

Very strange. It’s 2am and I cannot sleep and so I’ve decided to crack on with my Lego Technics McLaren Senna GTR that I got for my birthday and watch the latest CT podcast 😂 What a coincidence!

[@djlosmi]

26:57 Fiat Grande Puno, if anyone cares :D

[@ApothecaryTerry]

I once drove my Dad to a Merc dealer in my old Pug 306 (this was in 2012) with both of us in cheap old clothes. The dealer literally said "are you sure you want to buy a Mercedes sir?" - not anymore, my Dad bought an Audi instead.

[@SelfMadeDocumentary]

Hate how people are judged on their clothing 😤 really no need for it

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@SelfMadeDocumentary To an extent I understand a level of question about a person's ability to afford things, especially if they turn up in a crash-damaged '97 Pug. We had an equally bad experience at Jag the same week where the dealer tried to teach my Mum to drive, but I've been back since and they were great so hopefully the Merc dealer is too. Maybe I'll try it- park around the corner and see what they think of my hoodie. If they're snotty I'll rev the Porsche as I leave ☺

[@IOWChris]

Went to buy my E89 Z4 in jeans and a hoody, turned up in my clapped out vitara that was used during house renovation. Dealer paid me no attention and were laughing / joking when I brought the car back after test drive. Was ready to buy the car in cash that day but as a result went to a different dealer a few miles away to purchase one. Lack of customer service is infuriating!

[@welephant2013]

2 things. Ethane face when Gareth pulls the end off the fire stick and then jacks face when Gareth wants to launch it at him like a missile.

[@zakstevens3234]

A group of Eastern European men did this to my brother when he was selling his 320d. Being a family of engineers we knew the car was mechanically sound, even with the 200,000+ miles. They insisted the head gasket was gone and did the same trick. We sold a £1500 bmw for £1000 as they refused to leave.

[@madman12377]

Just go inside and wait for them to go?

[@KnightRider46]

I had the same scam done to me and a friend when we were selling an Alpina, The story was exactly the same and I mean exactly the same and it was quite a scary experience although we never let the car go

[@wingcommanderfalcon5035]

I love the podcast guys but I was hoping you could put the titles of each of the stories and emails in the podcast so I can show particular stories to my friends. Just something I think would make finding a particular story easier. Keep up the great work anyway, I look forward to it every week

[@paulcullen814]

A couple of adverts I saw in the paper. One was for a BMW and I presume they meant to put either 1.6 litre or 1600cc, they put 1.6cc. The other was for a Vauxhall Astra, they meant to put 2/3 door but missed the / from the ad, so they were selling a Vauxhall Astra 23 door.

[@stavrosbanos5876]

I was screaming cappuccino after the Subaru/Suzuki question 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@dilan4123]

I had my stolen car listed for sale in Dagenham by Romanians so this story is very accurate and one to beware off

[@ibra1200]

52:31 ethan: “mines just a little one but it really frustrates me”😂😂😂😂

[@jacknorthover2805]

I was shouting cappuccino since qs 8! 😂 great episode chaps! 👌

[@ajdexter4195]

I live in a smallish town in south Somerset and we have literally 100s of these E scooters you hire via scanning the QR code it’s like 10p a minute. You can drop them off in these ‘ designated ‘ areas. You can get points on your license if you ride them irresponsibly.

[@tp7278]

I lost it at, “I’ve got a bimmer to buy”

[@andrewhazley3425]

"If in doubt, pull out" 😂🤣😂🤣

[@LiamNI]

Genuinely, after a few manufacturers (maybe 3 or 4) I was shouting "Cappuccino!" at my tablet.....

[@lloydbrock2711]

"If in doubt, pull out" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HarmGeerts]

Emergency sirens generate between 110-120db, an obnoxiously loud motorcycle might reach 100db. Consider how many times you've looked into your rear view mirror and saw the flashing lights before you could hear the sirens. Just try the electric bike, they are absolutely great. Loud motorcycles mostly annoy neighbors and won't save you from distracted drivers.

[@SinkyYT]

There's been a car sitting abandoned on a bit of pavement outside the rear of my parents house for about two years now (A convertible MX5) and lots of neighbours have called the council to have it removed but they say since it isn't on the road they can't remove it as it's not causing a hazard or obstruction.

[@cjaoshenyjc7276]

only e scooters legal in uk are lime rentals as theyre part of a government trial to work out if they should be legal or not

[@quicknickdriver8510]

Ha ha ha you reminded me of a guy I knew 30 yrs ago, sold his Renault Fuego GTX with the description “looks like shit, goes like stink”.

[@FrostGhost]

The electric scooters are NOT legal yet. There are some trials going on in some cities with partners like lime, but those are only available for short-term hire. The privately owned ones are still illegal on all public roads...

[@nicolaspeart3910]

What's the difference when somebodys on one, whether its his own or a companies?

[@FrostGhost]

@@nicolaspeart3910 Exactly, they should be completely legalised imo.

[@aldiberisha65]

Rear wheel Suzuki and that smile is all we needed

[@Koziolrh]

Top scores for the both past and future Jacks being pricks line. Legit spilled my drink

[@BlaxJakx]

Had the same issue in regards to the drive way / car hanging off the drive over the pavement. Solution was to tell my neighbours simply to sort it out, they had to be told 3 times in one week but they got it in the end once I spent a couple of weekends running having bbq and lots of friends round. This resulted in the car being blocked in on their driveway from Sunday morning 5-6am till Monday the next day at 8 or 9pm. Safe to say the kid didn’t fancy walking to his workplace and now parks his car elsewhere.

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

One old lady owner, only ever driven to church on Sundays. (The stupid Landrover has spent so much of its life broken that the milage is incredibly low) Genuine milage, runs well (We've just spent thousands getting it working again, please buy it before it breaks) Becoming very rare (running examples that is, immaculate broken examples are still very common) Recently had big money spent (just had a lot of money spent so we can sell it) Superior English engineering (inferior reliability) Genuine reason for sale (genuinely over it, this car is cursed) Come grab a bargain (come buy a lemon)

[@spiltmilkmaniac]

That "Grind My Gears" jingle is the best one yet, literally rewinded to hear it again.

[@BenofYoutube]

Also, regarding electric scooters, only the schemes run by local councils in city centres are legal. The ones you buy yourself are still illegal to use in public places.

[@muzzman]

It was a Section 59 that Gareth was given, even if someone else is caught speeding on that bike it could be impounded!

[@thomas316]

Section 59 sounds like a clandestine government organisation to fight crime or terrorism. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nickcook7408]

Under section 5 of the road traffic act…

[@ChuZZZta]

40:53 - when i knew it is suzuki and RWD i knew it will be that bloody ki car. ;D Feels good man

[@georgecoleman7730]

My old vitaras neutral battery terminal was touching the bonnet not letting it start. i only found out it was that because with the bonnet up it was fine and there was a hole in the bonnet where it contacted.

[@grahamcutress47]

Myself and my mate turned up with an £18k budget at our local Audi dealer, both of us 23 dressed to impress (jeans, joggers and tees) we arrived in a pearlscent MG ZT-T 225hp and checked out the used stuff outside, found a lovely A6 Allroad and started to look for a salesman and nothing, no luck, we walked in the showroom and everyone seemed to be immediately busy the receptionist answering the phone etc... so after a couple of minutes we left, walked over the road to the Volvo dealer and brought a XC70 after a great experience... dealers and salesmen are generally arseholes

[@magnetpull7587]

Ah, delivery scooters. Now imagine you lived in Holland and you were not in a car but on an actualy bycicle almost getting run over 3-5 times each day. On top, smaller scooters are actually obligated to use the bycicle lanes. It got so bad I saw random cyclists ganging up when an argument between a delivery driver and a cyclist was happening

[@scouserbychoice]

I was saying Cappuccino...Cappuccino after question 13. I'm on my pc with headphones on and the wife is looking at me as if I've lost my mind lol Oh and I'm with Ethan on the corner cutters....I usually shout Cut the F*cking corner why don't you

[@mattus1gig]

I’ve got a electric scooter but I stopped using it when the Met police started cracking down on us. It’s a 6 points on your license £300 fine and they take your scooter away.... unless you rent one and you’re free to do what you like!

[@Roadwarrior92]

Alex never stop with that singing it makes my day 😂

[@NH00531]

Three out of four not knowing what a Vauxhall Senator is makes me feel really old. 🥲 Edit: Finally finished this podcast, was not disappointed with Jack’s one liners.....”if in doubt, pull out.” 👍

[@Metrodriver08]

Someone tried to pull that "headgasket failure" scam on a friend of mine. He also smelt a rat and got his wife and daughter to keep them talking whilst he checked his CCTV. You should have seen their faces when he showed them the footage of one of them pouring something in the exhaust and then my friend telling them that if they really wanted it, the price had now doubled. They went away empty handed.

[@MediocreHero66]

Alex, I do all my car shopping in my shittiest clothes, for that exact purpose to see who will treat me like a customer regardless of what I am dressed like. I've purchased 4 out of the last 5 cars in joggers :D

[@marcbeebee6969]

Dude in Germany nobody would let you test drive mate. Lol my neighbor the cop would check your documents. I mean look at you you look like a brexitere, revolutionary. 😂

[@MediocreHero66]

@@marcbeebee6969 Not entirely sure why you had to bring Brexit into a car buying discussion... good job I'm not in Germany then, wouldn't wanna buy your shit boxes anyway ;)

[@cvwright]

I would love to say I’ve never come so early, but I can’t.

[@camerondowns6927]

Ethan's workshop should surely be called Choppy choppy

[@tomwilliams9489]

Had the scam where they pour oil on your car done to me the other dsg

[@jme.147]

Ooh

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

Name it "Ethan's drill shop".

[@Jsvacricket]

Ethans CARpentry

[@raininginsummer7696]

If in doubt pull out. That was such a clever and quick thinking joke there. Had me laughing out loud.

[@alexandruvintila8697]

As soon as it went to suzuki rwd I was picturing the thumbnail with the giant dog and Alex. Also, I am a lawyer here in Romania and I am going to send you a story for the next podcast about a case I have had. Much love, I like the podcast , keep it up

[@Me-zo8yc]

I saw stickers saying "Dirty Dub Diesel" Well done, you drive a Euro diesel hatchback. So cool.

[@TheRCBasher69420]

Hkuoojnjunhf69420

[@Ingens_Scherz]

I was born in Beaconsfield. And I overshare.

[@KAOS_REAL]

Same thing happened to me 4 massive blokes came in the dark proceeded to tell me my E87 123d had blown up, it was highly intimidating all foreign blokes it was horrible

[@socalguy829]

yeah nowadays i never allow group viewings or a whole group of romanian/polish turning up. sounds harsh but im not going to be scammed or even worse

[@KAOS_REAL]

I didn’t ‘allow’ it they all just turned up I expected the one guy

[@andrewshelly6804]

You say your not allowed to be in a confined space for the podcast yet you drive around together in most of the videos

[@rossco3603]

To be fair the average joggie bottom costs way more than your Primark jeans and comedy printed tee from Amazon.

[@lukewatts3284]

Ethan's grind my gears near the end with the cut up on the T junction Bob on drives me mad !

[@ChaosPootato]

0:15 Jack was feeling it this time

[@MetalVII]

7:22 Just watching Ethan’s reactions are priceless lol

[@Lionn8563]

As soon he said its a rwd suzuki, i instantly new it was a cappuccino lol

[@GTiR23]

As soon as he said RWD and Suzuki, I guessed Cappucino, although I'm not sure that's something to be proud of.

[@MadIIMike]

My recommendation for Ethan's Business Adress would be "ethansmalewood". Hopfully my advice helps him grow his wood business. 😂

[@AsILayDyingBFMV]

I've been on my motorbike with my cousin on his before at A T junction turning right; I've had a car come in the LEFT side of me on the LEFT lane, centimetres from hitting us and they just carried on like it was normal.

[@wanzey8]

I was screaming cappuccino as soon as you said rwd suzuki!

[@joebentham2255]

I work at a Harley Davidson dealer, ridden the Livewire. Yet to have much issue when filtering. Although it’s in the middle of nowhere, not central London...

[@paulcfyeung]

I knew it was a Cappuccino when Alex said yes it is a suzuki!!! I was LOLing how long it took them haha

[@toddeppley]

In the USA when the head gasket blows we look for "milk shake"

[@shelobnegruth]

theres a small racing team out on japan that made up a cappuccino with a hyabusa engine for time attack -- you might be able to find it with a bit of googleing ... this was a few years ago now

[@pmjd42]

Talking of impressions car dealers have of their (Potential) customers. In about 1994 I was contracting at Honda in Swindon and on a good rate (Loads-a-money). I wanted to test drive a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 so, though my tax agent, I arranged a test drive at Dick Lovett (I know, phnurk!) in Swindon. I turn up at the dealership in my new 1994 "M" reg Discovery, nicely covered in mud. I step out of the "Disco" in my very sturdy walking boots, also covered in mud, rough jeans and jacket. I am in the dealership, talking to the salesman, exchanging various details, license etc, and I hear the throaty rumble of N/A 3.6 flat 6 C4 arrive outside their front entrance. I am ushered into the drivers seat where I discover I can't operate the pedals with my boots on. So off they came allowing me to drive, in my socks! It was a great drive. Shortly after that I migrated to New Zealand.

[@frimen7421]

Can you put time stamps in description between stories?

[@lewisbrown1928]

Alex I %100 agree with the tracksuit bottoms.

[@hbeer3480]

yesss this podcast is what keeps me alive living with non petrol heads... hahahahaha

[@andrewlaw7476]

Loving the Grinds my gears bits the most guys, keep on with the rage stuff it’s hilarious 😂. Let’s face it we all need to vent off and seeing you all join is awesome. Can’t wait for the next podcast 😁

[@dav2mai]

The only memorable Suzuki for me was the Cappuccino which I remembered from Initial D

[@jimjamjamie2019]

my uncle went to a Porsche dealership a couple years ago and began to look around and decided on a 911 and when he wanted for someone to offer their services so he could by the car they wouldn't go near him, so he went to Audi ttrs (manual). I'm not rich enough to own an Audi or porsche. Just a story.

[@tmsppp]

I was sure it was a Cappuccino, then it went "not constant rear wheel drive" and got confused

[@willbennett7508]

I got the Suzuki on question 17

[@SmokeySingh101]

ethans woodshop and visor 🤣

[@d3Rm0Nk]

Just 4 guys, who just did their big shop in their V8 Cappuchino a totally normal situation

[@ApothecaryTerry]

Ethan Touches Wood Polishing Wood, with Ethan ...there are more but my oven timer just went off and food > dodgy puns.