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Axle has snapped on my four month old car - what should I do?

I bought a second-hand Dodge (2008 model) around four months ago. The car was sold with a new MoT which had an advisory foe the rear subframe (corroded but not seriously weakened).

This week the axle snapped due to corrosion. Clearly, the MoT advisory was wrong, what should I do?

Asked on 16 November 2022 by Sian Rogers

Answered by Dan Powell
If you bought the car from a dealer or trader, you will have strong grounds to argue this serious safety fault was present or developing at the time of sale. As a result, the seller should repair the car or (if the car can't be fixed) offer a refund (minus a fair deduction for the use you've already had).

The 2015 Consumer Rights Act doesn't apply to private sakes, but the car must be road-legal, safe and as described. I think the previous owner would have a case to answer, along with the MoT station that passed the car. Your garage complaint should be sent to the DVSA.

For your consumer rights, see: www.honestjohn.co.uk/how-to-reject-a-car-your-cons.../

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