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My car is at the dealer needing repairs but there's no date as to when this might happen - what can I do?

My 2016 Vauxhall Astra has been at the dealership now for nearly a month. It apparently needs a completely new engine and it's under warranty. The Vauxhall dealership say they cannot give me any timescale as to when my car will be repaired. They say they have three more Astras with the same issue and cannot carry out repairs until authorised by Vauxhall. I've asked the dealer to buy the car back from me so I can buy another one but they've refused. I'm stuck so please advise?

Asked on 25 June 2019 by Gavin Hale

Answered by Honest John
Liability for this rests with the dealer who, presumably, has you in a courtesy car while you wait. You could issue an ultimatum. Send a letter expressing your disquiet to the dealer principal of the supplying dealership asking that either he replaces your engine within 21 days or replaces the car within 21 days, failing either of which you will take matters to Small Claims. Send it by Post Office Special Delivery, keep a copy, and staple the certificate of posting to the copy so it becomes a ‘matter of record’ should you ever need it in the future.
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