Thanks for the above Rayaan.
I have spoken to the chap this morning and raised your points, with answers as follows
1. The paint work is all original, the front bumper, bonnet and front wings were protected by some clear wrap film (ive since googled this and it seems to be the same material they use to change the colour of cars these days, but of course its clear in colour. it was removed last year but the paintwork is pretty much blemish free...he did say that there some tiny 'dots' on the front bumper which if you go up close, you would see..but nothing visible from more than a couple of metres away.
2. didnt say anything on this point! but good to know they are meant to be good, thanks
3. Permit is for Ilkley Grammar school where his missus is a teacher, she takes the car on occasion and parking is in designated single file bays against a wall. Hes adamant that there is not a single ripple nevermind ding on the car.
4. The car is actually his fathers who is approaching 70 and is moving to the Lexus NX hybrid, hes stopped driving this one. To be fair i was concerned about this point and questioned why hadn't it been mentioned in the ad and could it be that he was selling the car on (what i was really asking was whether he was a secret trader and had acquired the car!) he told me that the car will be viewed at the registered address on the v5 and i was free to speak to his father if i required. Relief! i went on to ask about the speakers and such and he said he would amend the ad accordingly.
He seemed genuine enough.
He did say the price is just about what they want for it, he claims that their local dealer has advised that it would be up at around 17k with them, but with the benefit of dealer warranty.
I just have to make the decision now and then work out how i'm going to arrange to travel 4 hours up the M1 to good old yorkshire!
It seems to tick every single box one could ask for...but i have this niggle in the back of my mind that why do we not see more of these cars on the road?! if they specced to the brim with stunning looks, surely there would be more about? what the catch guys?
oh and the baby seat...its been in a few weeks and has a thick plastic sheet under it for protection...leather underneath is fine.