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Right little learner

In January 2009, I bought a nearly new car from Polar Ford, main dealer in Huddersfield. Its previous owner was Hertz. I thought it was a rental car, but I have just found out it has grommets under the passenger carpet that indicate it had been fitted with dual controls. I feel this is underhand. I would not have bought a driving school car. Is it worth talking to the dealer? Should I be worried about parts of the car such as the clutch failing prematurely?

Asked on 2 January 2010 by P.G., Holmfirth

Answered by Honest John
Yes, you should be worried. A question every buyer of a second hand small car should ask is "was it a driving school car?" If the dealer says it wasn't, have that written on the purchase contract. What you should now do is send a letter by recorded delivery to the dealer principal of the dealership that sold you the car stating that because the car was ex-driving school the drivetrain must inevitably have suffered some damage, so if there is any failure of any component of the drivetrain within three years (including the clutch and flywheel) you will hold the dealer legally responsible for having sold you a car of "unsatisfactory quality" and will demand its repair free of charge. Law at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=43 . This is entirely different from buying an ex-rental car, which are usually very good buys because they have been run in by a variety of different qualified drivers.
Tags: buying
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