Where do I stand

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 00:22
Where do I stand - andygibbs
Where do I stand on terms of getting something done to fix my car. I'm currently 3years in to 5year finance deal and my car has just decided to break down on me outside the warranty (3 months).

I took it to my local vauxhall garage to explain what was wrong, for them to ring me back later that day to say. Yes we found the fault, but the computer can't find a fault so we don't know what to do. I find it hard to believe that trained vauxhall Mechanics cant find any fault with my car.

I've had nothing but problems with this car for the past 2 years, I've had the following replaced within the last 7 months - ecu, glow plugs, new cylinder head, air con unit, 4 sensors. Could I use this to help me in getting something done?

Do I have ground to ring the finance company and explain what is going on, would it fall,under the sales of good act that my car is not fit for the purpose? Should I be entitled to courtesy car off the credit company as I'm paying for my car which isn't working.
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Thu 22 Mar 2012 00:51
Where do I stand - Auristocrat

Is your finance Hire Purchase - if so, the finance company will be responsible, rather than the retailer you bought the car from. As far as I am aware, for you to claim under the sale of goods act, as the car is more than six months old, you will need to prove the fault was there when the car was purchased. Unless this has been a recurring fault, I doubt whether you will stand much chance of success. Also as you've had the car for 3 years 3 months, it would also be difficult to prove the car is not 'fit for purpose'.

Has the car got a full Vauxhall service history? If so, may be worth asking the Vauxhall dealer to approach Vauxhall for some help under goodwill.

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 09:21
Where do I stand - ChannelZ
I find it hard to believe that trained vauxhall Mechanics cant find any fault with my car.

I can . Reason why after 5 Vauxhalls in a row, I'll not have another near me.

Local dealer took in my 8 month old Vectra that had a tiny oil leak, and over 6 months it spent 4 months in the dealership, and ended up with a ruined engine.

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 09:39
Where do I stand - martint123
I find it hard to believe that trained vauxhall Mechanics cant find any fault with my car.

I can . Reason why after 5 Vauxhalls in a row, I'll not have another near me.

Local dealer took in my 8 month old Vectra that had a tiny oil leak, and over 6 months it spent 4 months in the dealership, and ended up with a ruined engine.

Copied from your earlier post on another thread ;)

You really only have one <s>Hyundai</s>Vauxhall dealer near you? The majority of <s>Hyundai</s>Vauxhall dealers are very good, seems you picked a bad one. Why didn't you go to another dealer?

4 months of that wait is your fault in my opinion.

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 10:07
Where do I stand - tony g
Hi andy ,auristocrat is right when he says the finance co may have a responsibility if your agreement is hire purchase ,but not if it's a personal loan .

Check the agreement to see which it is ,the problem you have, is that if you get into a dispute with the finance company and stop paying ,they will list your late or missing payments on your Experian credit file .That will make it difficult to obtain credit in future .

An alternative to consider is settling your outstanding finance ,you have less than two years to pay on the agreement ,it's possible that the value of your car will exceed the settlement figure to the finance company .First ask for a settlement figure ,then explain about your problems with the car .It may be that they will give an extra discount to avoid getting into a dispute over the cars quality.

Sadly I don't think you can make a claim under the sale of goods act ,at three years plus ,you have owned the car to long .

Do let the forum know how you get on ,and please let us know if you need more help .

Regards

Tony g
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Thu 22 Mar 2012 13:48
Where do I stand - bonzo dog

Hi Andy, you don't say where you bought the car & if it was brand new when you did, but I'm assuming you bought it from a dealership in which case you can "claim" under SOGA for up to 6 years after purchase.

You would be claiming against the retailer together with the finance co (assuming it was not a personal loan in no way linked to the car purchase) that the goods are not durable.

The trouble is the courts may disagree & you will not have any way of knowing until you sit in front of the judge & hear his judgement

If the car was brand new, bought from a Vauxhall dealer & with a full Vauxhall dealer service history Vauxhall may help out.

As regards to the fault finding, it's not always as simple as people think & the method most used is trial & error which is costly to the owner.

Whatever you decide, good luck

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 14:35
Where do I stand - andygibbs

Thank you to everyone. To answer some of your questions the car was bought brand new from Patrick of Durham (which is now Bristol Street). As for the finance it not personal loan its 5 year argeement where i own the car at the end.

Rang the garage where it is at this morning to get update, but still no further forward. So i decieded to ring Vauxhall as well to be told that we will contact the garage then rise case for you. Been told they will ring me in 2/3 days. next in line was the finance company (GMAC) very unhelpful basically you can exchange your car for new one or hand it back then we will sell it.

Not sure if ive missed anyones question off. But i will keep you updated :)

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Thu 22 Mar 2012 18:43
Where do I stand - barney100

If they can get it running change it ASAP while its working, sounds like this car is a money pit.

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Fri 23 Mar 2012 21:04
Where do I stand - slam3

got same problem with ford computer cannot find fault,its just easy way for dealer to get out of fixing it ,we put it the hands of solicitor let you know how we get on

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