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My Nissan Figaro's power steering fault is proving difficult to repair - is the dealer liable?

My daughter purchased from a dealer a 20-year-old Nissan Figaro with a full three-month warranty. She returned the car as the power steering was leaking. A power steering leak cure solution was poured into the system that was supposed to stop it. As this did not work, they replaced the power steering with a secondhand unit that leaked more than the original. I complained and was told to return the car, so they could try another used part.

Can this be right? The dealer says he can replace with non-reconditioned used parts. This could go on forever. Can I replace the system at a bona fide garage and present the dealer with the bill? The three-month warranty is well out of date although the system was never repaired in the warranty period. Can he just replace faulty with used until one works ok?

Asked on 24 March 2012 by DW, via email

Answered by Honest John
You could possibly argue the Supreme Court ruling in Clegg v Olle Anderson 2003, but the age of the car would be taken into consideration. Classic cars are not treated like normal 'consumer durable' cars. Law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/

The bits for the Figaro are rare because the donor K10 Micra on which the Figaro is built never had power steering.
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