I bought a used car from a motor trader. It drove well on the test drive, but after collecting it, it became apparent that it would not reverse up even the slightest gradient- the (automatic) gearbox was just slipping. There were further problems- airbag and ABS lights were coming on (these are MOT failures, despite the car having a newly issued MOT) and the heater would not blow hot air.
I took it back the following week to have these faults repaired and although the dealer tried to fob me off, I made it clear that I wanted all of them fixed.
Ten days later, none of the faults have been repaired. He says his own mechanic cannot fix these faults and the car has to looked at by transmission specialist and an auto-sparky.
I can understand this but at the same time, I have to have a car and he has declined to give me a courtesy car. This is causing me massive inconvenience.
So the question is this. How much longer should I allow him before I tell him that I am rejecting the car as unfit for the purpose and demand my money back? Has anyone any experience of doing this? I am quite happy to take him to County Court if needs be but would obviously prefer to avoid the hassle.
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if he was a decent trader he wouldnt have sold you the "nail" in the first place (bet the car is a clio?)
Demand your money back as it is not fit for purpose .
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(bet the car is a clio?)
Just out of curiosity, and absolutely nothing more, why are you so sure that the car is a Clio? In your reply you can be as biased as you like towards Renault. I'm always ready for a laugh at the expense of anything which isn't a Ford!
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L\'escargot.
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>> (bet the car is a >> clio?) Just out of curiosity, and absolutely nothing more, why are you so sure that the car is a Clio? In your reply
^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^
had 2 like that and had my fingers burnt,thats why im fairly sure
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Actually it *is* a Ford......a facelift Scorpio
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Actually it *is* a Ford......a facelift Scorpio
hj mentioned this problem in his sat rag bit quite a few years ago,if you look at the car by car breakdown section on this site this is what hj says............
Autoboxes only last 60,000-80,000 miles.
and i agree with him,you really want to walk from this car.
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If the amount involved is less than £5K a small claims court action would suffice. The procedure is easy and cheap and if you win you will get your costs refunded anyway. They already have the car, a visit to trading standards might be in order (for advice), then send a recorded delivery letter formally rejecting the car and asking for a full refund.
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Don't mess about.
Write a letter rejecting the car (giving reasons) and then send it Special Delivery (about £3.50 I think).
Then use the online small claims procedure to recover your money. If its as you say, then you'll win hands down.
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Just ask for your money back and buy something else. ABS and Airbag lights are common on older complicated cars and not a major issue and perhaps could be argued by the dealer but a complete auto box failure directly after delivery is pretty cut and dried.
A refund would be the best bet for you and the dealer. Most decent dealers would offer this as the extra hassle of sorting out whilst a customer is waiting is just not worth the bother.
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As Aprilia said,but would add,surprised any dealer would take this car on due to its problems.
Can only assume they didnt check the car out before either Px`ing, Or they got it from auction(riskey to say the least)these are expensive cars to fix when they go wrong,seen several scrapped through this
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Steve
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Most dealers when landed with such a car would simply punt it through the auctions where hopefully some unsuspecting private buyer would buy it where they would have absolutely no comeback.
The fact that it performed OK on the test drive and passed its MOT may mean the faults have genuinly only just become apparent.
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By "hopefully some unsuspecting private buyer" I meant from the dealer's perspective BTW.
That's what evening and Saturday auctions are designed for! ;(
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Firstly, if the BAS light comes on I suspect it might be unroadworthy. It is illegal (section something or other of the Road Traffic Act (back of my mind says s148 but can check if you need and nobody else corrects me)) to sell an unroadworthy car. www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM...2
Just point that out and warn him trading standards will be informed.
How much did you pay? What is the car - year, mileage, engine size etc.
It won't be worth his while arguing, so as somebody else said, just ask for your money back.
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