Audi TT (51 Plate Reg 2002) - Second Hand Car Purc | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Fri 5 Apr 2013 21:45

Audi TT (51 Plate Reg 2002) - Second Hand Car Purc - J89

Dear all, In advance thanks for any comments, advice or suggestions. I am in serious need of clarity on this issue.

Having purchased the TT on the 9th Feb 13, I have had nothing but trouble from both the vehicle and also the trader the vehicle was purchased from.

Here is a timeline of events (apologies for length!):

- Car purchased Feb 9th, day of purchase front wiper motor fails rendering the car unsafe to use. Contact dealer immediately who offers (lengthy conversation) to let me take the car to a garage (on a dry day) and get it repaired. This happens 14th Feb, dealer eventually sends cheque for work.

A few days later concerned by various noises, I got the mechanic to give the car a once over the be sure there was nothing wrong with the vehicle (a few days after wiper motor, only mileage covered is back from dealer and a few trips to work roughly 60 miles in total)

-Advised that morning: NO ESP (electronic stability program) light registering on dash (evident fault, as light should register even if a fault is present) , Clutch release bearings potentially about to fail (not noticed on day of purchase as noise was reduced when car was hot!) , rear nearside coil spring fractured, brake discs overly worn (MOT failure), Dash pod playing up with regards engine temps. Try to contact dealer but no answer

- Drove car away from mechanic that evening (fuming!), oil pressure light appears on the dash, car undrivable through fear that the engine might go bang.

- After lengthy conversations dealer agrees to collect vehicle and repair it. 4 weeks later the car is returned, no invoices of work carried out. Dealer stated he did not have to supply these. In which time apparently dash pod was sent off, and returned no faults. Faulty Oil pump replaced, clutch replaced, cambelt service as car should have had this done 2 years ago but nothing with regards to the other issues. ESP light still not registering on dash. NO INVOICES SUPPLIED, clutch is still a bit noisy so doubts as to whether this was done. Also dealer would not advise name or contact details for the garage the work was carried out at?!

- Day car is returned, coolant leak occurs from hose going into the heater matrix. (something disconnected during cambelt service i suspect) car once again undrivable. £70 later, hose reconnected and coolant bottle filled (EXPENSE TO ME) car is back on the road. Mechanic did however notice the cars 'undertray' was missing, coil spring still fractured, brakes still an MOT failure, and insufficient bolt used to reconnect steering strut to drivers side front right. (presumably disconnected to get at clutch assy) Immediately contacted dealer who was less that helpful, didnt offer to re-repair or compensate me for my loss.

- After a daring drive home (same weekend) battery warning light on Display starts flashing, possibly a failed alternator or VREG. Car will now not start. Last straw, contact dealer requesting refund. Reasonable time has been given (owned car for 2 months has the use of it for 9 days) Sent letter requesting refund as advised by trading standards. Dealer refused, has said he will re-repair but refuses to rectify issues present at the point of sale, and keeps telling me to go through warranty. Warranty have said they will not do work as the liability is with the dealer!

As a comprimise before court action I suggested the following: Repair car against issues mentioned above to bring the car up to a roadworthy and safe standard, and MOT to prove roadworthyness. Dealer refused this also!

Do you think I have strong enough grounds for court action / any personal experience which can be shared. Trading Standards have told me that it would be up to a judge, but advised that this may be the only way to see any progress.

Apologies for length, but this issue has gone on for so long affecting my ability to travel to work, fulfill everyday duties. Thanks in advance for any comments!

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Sat 6 Apr 2013 15:13

Audi TT (51 Plate Reg 2002) - Second Hand Car Purc - tony g

(Trading Standards have told me that it would be up to a judge, but advised that this may be the only way to see any progress.)

As trading standards have said the sale of goods act is subjective ,age mileage etc .
So ,basically you have a car that's 11 years old ,some of the faults of which the dealer has fixed .As a minimum your entitled to buy a car thats safe . I think your only way forward is to have the car mot,d again to identify the safety related items you mention ,Pay for those repairing and then pursue the dealer through the SCC for the cost of repairs .The cost of the SCC to you is about £300 ,which you can recover when you win your case .

The only problem is , if the dealer has no money or assets you won't get paid .
Once the dealer has attempted to repair the car ,it becomes more difficult for you to reject the car for a refund .

But as we say to often on the forum why didn't you pay to have the car inspected before you bought it ? .You bought a fairly exotic car that's coming to the end of its usefull life ,isn't it unrealistic to expect the car to be any better than it is ?

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Sun 7 Apr 2013 04:38

Audi TT (51 Plate Reg 2002) - Second Hand Car Purc - J89

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your comments,

I agree with your latter comments i should have paid for an inspection before purchasing the car, and some but I fear not all issues, would have been brought to light. As you mention, I think the main issue I have is from a safety aspect. Things such as fractured coil spings / worn brake discs etc , I can deal with, but when it comes to a now non functioning ESP system, and insufficent bolt fixings (occuring whilst the car was taken to be repaired) I just can't see why the dealer wouldn't want to ensure the car was safe by having these rectified and then MOT'ing to cover thier backs.

With regards to the final comments you make, I did pay top money for this car and have myself sold a few vehicles which fall into the same age range with similar mileage that were in perfect working order, and never heard a peep from the people that bought them. Just because a car is 11 years old doesn't neccessarily mean it's at the end of it's life especially if, when new, the car was worth 30k, and 11 years on is purchased for top money.

Have you any previous experience with SCC? / Time cases can take (from submission of paperwork to judgement) Thanks again for your comments much appreciated!

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Sun 7 Apr 2013 17:41

Audi TT (51 Plate Reg 2002) - Second Hand Car Purc - tony g

Hi ,I've lots of experience with the the SCC ,its an easy and simple process .
The key is to keep your case clear but concise .

Set out your complaint on no more than two sheets of a4 paper .

The case is held in private not open court ,with just you ,a representative from the garage ,and the judge .

A decision will be given straight away and is legally binding .If you win your case you will also recover your court application fees .

Lead time is usually about 6 weeks .

If you download the forms for the SCC ,can I suggest you send them to the dealer with the details filled in ,but before you give them to the court ,that way the dealer will know you are serious ,give the dealer 7 days before you submit them to the court .That often results in payment before you get to court .

Good luck

Tonyg

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