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Deposit paid, but car damaged by dealer - should I walk away?
We are in the process of buying a 2014 Chrysler Grand Voyager. The car is an ex-demonstrator, advertised at 321 miles, at £29,990 from our local Chrysler dealer. We need this car for my disabled daughter.
We test drove the car, took lots of pictures, but noted that the mileage was already higher than advertised, at 945 miles. We were told that the salesman had been allowed to use it for family trips. We paid a deposit of £500 because we were told they could not release the car until three weeks later (when they would have had it for three months). They assured us the car would be taken off the road and no more miles would be added.
Just before the collection date, a wheelchair hoist was fitted to the car and we asked to check the installation to ensure it fitted our daughter’s wheelchair. However, upon inspection, we noticed the car was dirty and had 1600 miles on the clock. The interior was also stained and the upholstery marked.
The dealer can give us no explanation as to who has been driving the car and the paintwork has been damaged too. We have written to the dealer, asking for explanation and enclosing "before and after" photos, but have not had a response. What are our rights?
We test drove the car, took lots of pictures, but noted that the mileage was already higher than advertised, at 945 miles. We were told that the salesman had been allowed to use it for family trips. We paid a deposit of £500 because we were told they could not release the car until three weeks later (when they would have had it for three months). They assured us the car would be taken off the road and no more miles would be added.
Just before the collection date, a wheelchair hoist was fitted to the car and we asked to check the installation to ensure it fitted our daughter’s wheelchair. However, upon inspection, we noticed the car was dirty and had 1600 miles on the clock. The interior was also stained and the upholstery marked.
The dealer can give us no explanation as to who has been driving the car and the paintwork has been damaged too. We have written to the dealer, asking for explanation and enclosing "before and after" photos, but have not had a response. What are our rights?
Asked on 29 September 2014 by saoirse
Answered by
Honest John
Either demand a substantial reduction (£2000), or demand the refund of your £500 deposit and walk away. If your deposit is not readily returned, sue for it using www.moneyclaim.gov.uk
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