What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Why won't my dealer help with a pre-existing fault on my Ford Focus?

At the end of March I purchased a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI with 89,000 miles from a small independent dealer in South Croydon, with a oil change thrown in for good measure. Four days later I noticed that there was a oil leak (slow dripping when warm). When contacting the dealer (I still have the messages to prove the dates) I was told that the warranty details were in the post. Documents for a WarrantyWise Silver level warranty finally turned up last week so I took the car down to a local garage, Station View Garage in Dorking.

They were very helpful and have informed me that the engine oil seals needed to be replaced, and where there has been oil sitting around it has contaminated the gearbox mounts, which now also need replacing. I have been quoted £591 to have the seals and the gearbox mounts replaced. Unfortunately the warranty company will only cover the seals and a small portion of the labour, in total £250, leaving me with £341 to pay. Unimpressed, I spoke to the dealer about this. He offered me £75 as a "good will gesture". Do you feel that the dealer has any responsibility in this matter? I have lost confidence in this car now and in an ideal world would like to return it and take my money back. Do I have any grounds to request this?

Asked on 18 May 2013 by RM, Dorking

Answered by Honest John
The dealer is wholly liable. I'm surprised that WarrantyWise has paid up for a fault that obviously pre-existed the sale of the car and the purchase of the warranty. The dealer is liable for the balance. And if he does not pay you can sue using www.moneyclaim.gov.uk quoting Clegg v Olle Andersson 2003, House of Lords. Law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Similar questions
We purchased a secondhand Peugeot Partner Tepee S HDI in the autumn of 2010, and had no trouble with it until we took it for a service at an independent garage, having done 15,508 miles. The car had a...
I own a 2005 Audi A4 Convertible 2.0 TFSI, the one renowned for the problem with oil consumption. My Audi garage repaired the piston rings and, I think, got Audi to pay for it. Since they did the repair,...
I have a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 auto that we've had serviced regularly at our main service centre. The last service cost £600 and, for the first time, they said there was a problem with an oil leak...
Related models
Superb blend of keen handling and ride comfort. Seats five in comfort. five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer