Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 17:21
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Jamesvx

I bought a V8 car from a performance garage in March which cost 30k. I traded my previous car in and put 10k cash towards it.
Driving the car home (3 hour journey) I noticed problems with it, engine noises and error codes. When I got back I rang the garage and they arranged to pick it back up.
Turned out the engine was faulty and needed a new piston. They had the car a couple of months and replaced the piston.

A week later the engine started ticking again so i called them back up. They took it back and have now had it 10 weeks. They said they would rebuild the engine but whenever I call for an update they say they'll get back to me and never or they will say technician is on holiday.

It's costing me a fortune on car rentals and I feel like if I ever get the car back that it will just fail again. Also when I get it back I'll have no warranty as it will have run out. I've had it on my drive about 2 weeks since March and drove it 4 days.

What should I do? should I continue to wait? Am i entitled to a full refund? I'm guessing it's a long process and expensive if I was go take it to court?

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 17:30
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - leaseman

The dealer has led you along to ensure that the 6 month time-span for you to reject the car under the Consumer Rights Act (CRA) has expired.

Immediately contact the Trading Standards Department in which area the dealer is situated and report all the facts with dates and details. Take your lead from them initially.

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 17:37
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Jamesvx

Is it a lengthy process with the trading standards? What if they get back to me within a week or two saying my car is fixed and ready to pick up. Should I stop communication with trading standards and collect my car? Or refuse to pick the car up?

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 17:44
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - leaseman

I repeat.

Immediately contact the Trading Standards Department in which area the dealer is situated and report all the facts with dates and details. Take your lead from them initially.

You will gain nothing by refusing to take back the car without their backing and involvement.

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 17:59
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Jamesvx

I've went on trading standards website and it says this...

Trading Standards can take businesses to court or stop them operating, but they won’t help you fix your problem - for example, they can’t help you get a refund.

How will they help me get my money back. Sorry just trying to understand.

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 18:19
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - daveyjp

Trading standards generally don't deal with individuals, unless it's an issue which affects a large number of consumers.

For consumer advice you need Citizens Advice or a lawyer.

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 18:40
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Jamesvx

So basically it's going to cost me a lot and then I'll lose out on money either way. Might just wait another week or two

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 19:17
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - leaseman

Trading standards generally don't deal with individuals, unless it's an issue which affects a large number of consumers.

For consumer advice you need Citizens Advice or a lawyer.

Individuals are consumers.....is the OP the first of the "large number"? I doubt it.

Involving Trading Standards officers is usually a good lever to getting things done

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 19:54
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Adampr

You technically have up to six years to reject a car, but it obviously gets harder with the passage of time. Six months is when it starts to get hard so, yes, they have been stringing you along.

As I'm sure you know, your car is a rebadged Holden, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they have been trying to get of parts from old stock in Australia or possibly Chevrolet in the US.

Personally, I suggest you read up on your consumer rights, then call and ask to meet with the Dealer Principal to discuss the situation. It may be that they can offer you an alternative vehicle or a refund, or set out a plan to get your car fixed.

If they won't have that meeting, or the conclusion is unsatisfactory, pursue legal channels.

Did you pay any of the price by credit card?

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 20:06
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Jamesvx

Paid 10k debit card. Problem was a broken piston. They replaced the piston first time but problem is still there. This time they said they will do a full bottom end rebuild. It's been 10 weeks since they've had the car second time. My main worry is when I get the car back the problem may return or whatever. My warranty is now finished (this is being sorted as warranty was valid when they had it). Because I've only physically had the 2 weeks then am I in my right to ask for a new warranty?

I do think they are fixing the car. They really care about their business. But it's just taking a very long time and like others have said, they've made sure it's gone past 6 month. There seems to be a lot of excuses to why it's taking so long. They've got the parts as they are a big dealer of VXR8s, sell the regularly and fix them.

If I get the car back. Where do I stand for another warranty as technically I haven't had the car?

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Wed 9 Oct 2024 21:39
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - daveyjp

Trading Standards really won't be interested. Its a single individual against a single supplier matter. From my local TS website.

If you are a consumer or business and have a complaint about a company that provides goods and/or services, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline

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Thu 10 Oct 2024 15:54
Vauxhall VXR8 - Bought a broken car help - Brit_in_Germany

Depending on the precise dates, it may be within the 30 day absolute right to reject period as returning it for repair stops the clock.

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