Have I bought a lemon? Help needed...
Discussion
Yesterday I bought a V reg Renault Megane for my daughter to learn in. It has 41000 miles on the clock (Mots back this up). It test drove fine although the engine would have been warmish as it had just come back from the valeters. Nipped out in it last night and all well.
This morning it ran very rough on starting and pulling out onto the main road was a bit dodgy as it seemed I needed to keep the revs up to keep it going. Took it for a long run thinking it may have been the cleaning they had done (engine looks very clean) or that it needed to be warm.
It's now worse and kangaroos in every gear, including fifth, at between 2000 and 2500 revs. At low speeds it's unpredictable as it stutters so I give it more acceleration and then it takes off unpredictably. There's no way anyone can learn to drive in that and I'm not keen on driving it myself.
Clearly something needs to be done but what?
Do I have any rights with the dealer? - it didn't behave like that when I test drove it or drove it home yesterday!
Secondly, what might be wrong? And does it sound expensive?
Any help would be appreciated.
This morning it ran very rough on starting and pulling out onto the main road was a bit dodgy as it seemed I needed to keep the revs up to keep it going. Took it for a long run thinking it may have been the cleaning they had done (engine looks very clean) or that it needed to be warm.
It's now worse and kangaroos in every gear, including fifth, at between 2000 and 2500 revs. At low speeds it's unpredictable as it stutters so I give it more acceleration and then it takes off unpredictably. There's no way anyone can learn to drive in that and I'm not keen on driving it myself.
Clearly something needs to be done but what?
Do I have any rights with the dealer? - it didn't behave like that when I test drove it or drove it home yesterday!
Secondly, what might be wrong? And does it sound expensive?
Any help would be appreciated.
If you have bought it from a dealer, which you have, it has to be fit for purpose. I also assume it has some sort if warrenty - it should have unless it was sold as a trade type sale without one. Assuming all of that is in place then take it back, explain the issues and ask for them to put it right. Assuming the can then all is good. If they can't then they have sold you something that is clearly not fit for purpose so reject it on that basis and get your cash back.
First port of a call... The dealer!
First port of a call... The dealer!
Twit said:
If you have bought it from a dealer, which you have, it has to be fit for purpose. I also assume it has some sort if warrenty - it should have unless it was sold as a trade type sale without one. Assuming all of that is in place then take it back, explain the issues and ask for them to put it right. Assuming the can then all is good. If they can't then they have sold you something that is clearly not fit for purpose so reject it on that basis and get your cash back.
First port of a call... The dealer!
They didn't mention any warranty and I forgot to ask! But it is a dealer that's been around for a while and they've got a fair number of cars on their lot. First port of a call... The dealer!
I did nip back today but they were shut. Have emailed them and will see what they say.
I'm willing to bet that the valeters steam cleaned the engine bay. I bet the coils, leads and / or plug caps are full of moisture. If not then some electrical connectors may be, like the throttle position sensor, crank sensor etc.
Why not have a look. Take off the plug caps, dry out, WD40. Just work round each electrical bit spraying the WD. I bet that sorts it.
Why not have a look. Take off the plug caps, dry out, WD40. Just work round each electrical bit spraying the WD. I bet that sorts it.
Why, did you see one doing what the OP said?
I agree with the previous posts. A dealer can't sell a car that has defects that make it not fit for purpose, and if its off a lot, then it's likely that you'll be given some sort of warranty.
Well.. seems meganes have a few problems. I looked at a Megane Classic a few weeks ago (Don't start, I like the looks) and when we approached the address.. we saw the car drive past us on a roundabout. The guy then proceeded to boot it off the roundabout, blue smoke and all.
I didn't buy that.
I agree with the previous posts. A dealer can't sell a car that has defects that make it not fit for purpose, and if its off a lot, then it's likely that you'll be given some sort of warranty.
Well.. seems meganes have a few problems. I looked at a Megane Classic a few weeks ago (Don't start, I like the looks) and when we approached the address.. we saw the car drive past us on a roundabout. The guy then proceeded to boot it off the roundabout, blue smoke and all.
I didn't buy that.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I'm willing to bet that the valeters steam cleaned the engine bay. I bet the coils, leads and / or plug caps are full of moisture. If not then some electrical connectors may be, like the throttle position sensor, crank sensor etc.
Why not have a look. Take off the plug caps, dry out, WD40. Just work round each electrical bit spraying the WD. I bet that sorts it.
couldnt agree more with this, especially with french electrics (im an auto electrician by trade!)Why not have a look. Take off the plug caps, dry out, WD40. Just work round each electrical bit spraying the WD. I bet that sorts it.
As for the dealer, you have a 6 month period where you can return the car if its not fit for the purpose, the dealer then has to fix it or give your money back. Dosent matter if he has sold it without a warranty plan etc, this 6 month rule applies to every motor trader.
No it's not yellow!
Took it back to dealer yesterday who took out plugs and two were a bit wet (from steam cleaning!). He dried them, vacuumed the holes and sprayed some wd40 about. Seems ok at the moment but I've only driven it locally - at the weekend we were on a longer drive and it got worse as it got hot.
Anyway, dealer says he had two other Renaults steam cleaned same day - an espace and a clio. He's had to buy new plugs for the espace and the clio's engine management system's up the shoot. Says I can go back if mine's not ok in next few days.
So I think there's a lesson there!
Thanks for your help.
Took it back to dealer yesterday who took out plugs and two were a bit wet (from steam cleaning!). He dried them, vacuumed the holes and sprayed some wd40 about. Seems ok at the moment but I've only driven it locally - at the weekend we were on a longer drive and it got worse as it got hot.
Anyway, dealer says he had two other Renaults steam cleaned same day - an espace and a clio. He's had to buy new plugs for the espace and the clio's engine management system's up the shoot. Says I can go back if mine's not ok in next few days.
So I think there's a lesson there!
Thanks for your help.
bozibo said:
No it's not yellow!
Took it back to dealer yesterday who took out plugs and two were a bit wet (from steam cleaning!). He dried them, vacuumed the holes and sprayed some wd40 about. Seems ok at the moment but I've only driven it locally - at the weekend we were on a longer drive and it got worse as it got hot.
Anyway, dealer says he had two other Renaults steam cleaned same day - an espace and a clio. He's had to buy new plugs for the espace and the clio's engine management system's up the shoot. Says I can go back if mine's not ok in next few days.
So I think there's a lesson there!
Thanks for your help.
I testdrove a Megane many moons ago that had exactly the same issue. It had been steam cleaned then sat in a cold garage for rather a while!Took it back to dealer yesterday who took out plugs and two were a bit wet (from steam cleaning!). He dried them, vacuumed the holes and sprayed some wd40 about. Seems ok at the moment but I've only driven it locally - at the weekend we were on a longer drive and it got worse as it got hot.
Anyway, dealer says he had two other Renaults steam cleaned same day - an espace and a clio. He's had to buy new plugs for the espace and the clio's engine management system's up the shoot. Says I can go back if mine's not ok in next few days.
So I think there's a lesson there!
Thanks for your help.
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