I am in desperate need of some advice!! This post will not be technically correct, as I know absolutely NOTHING about cars!!
2 weeks ago i purchased a used 2008 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3TDCI Ecoflex from a Vauxhall dealer... The whole experience has been a nightmare, but my main issue is surrounding the 1 month warranty. Also, as a point of note, the deal was done on the basis that the vehicle had a MAJOR service before I collected it.
The day i took the vehicle home I was told it had had it's major service. On the way home a headlight bulb blew. I checked the service book, and saw the vehicle had only had an interim service, not the major one as I had requested. In fact, the only thing "ticked off" on the list was new front brake pads. I had the headlight bulb replaced at Halfords, who pointed out there was no cover on the headlight unit, which had probably let moisture in and caused the bulb to blow.
Sure enough, the next day the new bulb went too. I called the dealership, and asked them to have a look. I was messed around saying they needed the car the whole day, and were generally very obstructive and unhelpful. I arranged to take the car in 2 days later.
In the two days in between, I had an INSP4 code appear, and from checking the book saw this meant water in the diesel filter. I called the garage and said when they had it in for the light I wanted this looking at too....On the day I took the car in, I called them at lunch time to ask how they were getting on. I got told they were waiting on a part to come for the light, and that it would be ready in 2 hours. I asked if the filter had been fixed and they claimed not to have known it needed doing, but would get it done.
So I went to pick the car up 2 hours later, and was told I had a whole new headlight unit fitted, and the fuel filter had been replaced. They were unable to print me an invoice, but gave me a copy of the engineers notes. It was clear that the words " replace and fit new diesel filter" had been added on by someone else, in different handwriting.
There was also a comment that simply said "engineer notes DMF/clutch" I enquired what this meant and was told it was nothing to worry about, and that it "would need replacing at some point but not yet." I asked if they meant once they were out of the months warranty and was told it wouldn't be covered by the warranty anyway, which I was not given any paperwork for at all.
Having had a browse through this website and google, the substantial rattle I hear in low gears and when using the clutch would suggest that these mysterious parts will need replacing sooner rather than later! 2 days after this, my INSP4 warning came back on, which is leading me to think that they never replaced the filter after all. The rattling noise is getting louder and more prolonged, and the dealership are being less than helpful about having a look at these problems.
I only have 2 weeks left on my months warranty,work shift work, and am told that their " sales department cannot offer courtesy cars, only their service and bodyshop customers have access to these. I cannot get the car to the garage within the 2 weeks, as again they want it for a whole day and I cannot be without a vehicle.Every trip to the dealers is a 30 mile round trip, and I am now getting worried that I've spent good money on a car that is actuallygoing to need alot more money spent on it so soon after I have bought it.
Does anyone know where I stand in relation to making the dealer fix these faults at no further cost to me, or am I just going to have to put my hand in my pocket again???
Edited by Avant on 09/12/2011 at 23:30
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