Main Dealer's obligations toward used car buyer
Discussion
I will be deliberately evasive with details on this post. I made a new ID just now with the intention of being more liberal with details, but posts from new users are blocked at present.
I bought a used car from a main dealer within the last couple of weeks. The dealer was a different brand, it was not a dealer of the brand of the car I bought.
Specifics of car are just over 5 years old, just under 30k miles, good spec. I am more than happy with the car (aside from trying to chase some minor items which turned out to be missing).
My reason for posting? I have suspected that the heated seats were shutting off for far too long, or indefinitely, after reaching their target temperature.
Subsequent enquiries with the manufacturer established there was a service bulletin for this exact issue, which if the previous owner had complained about they would have done FOC under the original warranty.
However the warranty is expired now, they are asking not far off four figures to fit the revised parts which are specified in the TSB.
Am I right in thinking that during the initial period after purchase, I can take the car back to the place I bought it from and get them to fix the problem? And, do I tell them about the TSB or not? I understand that it could be sald that a TSB (not a recall) means a manufacturing defect or lapse in judgement. A "feature" of the car if you like.
It does make me think the car I bought is not satisfactory quality. If relevant, the price was edging towards five figures. Any thoughts or anecdotes would be helpful here and much appreciated.
I know the answer is just to get in touch with the selling dealer as soon as poss. I will do this, it's just there is also a thing called trying to be prepared. Thanks in advance.
Edit: Location = England
I bought a used car from a main dealer within the last couple of weeks. The dealer was a different brand, it was not a dealer of the brand of the car I bought.
Specifics of car are just over 5 years old, just under 30k miles, good spec. I am more than happy with the car (aside from trying to chase some minor items which turned out to be missing).
My reason for posting? I have suspected that the heated seats were shutting off for far too long, or indefinitely, after reaching their target temperature.
Subsequent enquiries with the manufacturer established there was a service bulletin for this exact issue, which if the previous owner had complained about they would have done FOC under the original warranty.
However the warranty is expired now, they are asking not far off four figures to fit the revised parts which are specified in the TSB.
Am I right in thinking that during the initial period after purchase, I can take the car back to the place I bought it from and get them to fix the problem? And, do I tell them about the TSB or not? I understand that it could be sald that a TSB (not a recall) means a manufacturing defect or lapse in judgement. A "feature" of the car if you like.
It does make me think the car I bought is not satisfactory quality. If relevant, the price was edging towards five figures. Any thoughts or anecdotes would be helpful here and much appreciated.
I know the answer is just to get in touch with the selling dealer as soon as poss. I will do this, it's just there is also a thing called trying to be prepared. Thanks in advance.
Edit: Location = England
Edited by RobGSR on Friday 29th November 23:03
The heated seat work well enough for the origonal owner, who bought it new 5 years ago presumably at a price at least twice what you paid, but they do not work well enough for you. I think you are onto a loser with this one, at least on your basic consumer rights, but the terms of sale might be more favourable.
If it was a used approved vehicle you'd probably be able to get it repaired.
If it was a used approved vehicle you'd probably be able to get it repaired.
And why exactly should the dealer stump up a four figure sum to rectify?
Its a manufacturing problem not the selling dealers.
If it was still under that manufacturers warranty, then fair enough, but now?.....I dont think you will get anywhere.
Its a manufacturing problem not the selling dealers.
If it was still under that manufacturers warranty, then fair enough, but now?.....I dont think you will get anywhere.
Edited by Mexman on Saturday 30th November 10:46
I’ve got heated seats in my car and I never turn them back on - each to their own, but it seems slightly odd to turn them on again, once you’re warm.
If the job costs £1000 then they’ll be taking the seats apart and fitting new heater elements - I’d be reluctant to let them do that, the seats will squeak and rattle afterwards.
If the job costs £1000 then they’ll be taking the seats apart and fitting new heater elements - I’d be reluctant to let them do that, the seats will squeak and rattle afterwards.
Joelonghair said:
It's a minor annoyance. Sort it between you and main dealer.
Retitle thread to "A grown ups' obligation towards common sense".
I don't think the title can be changed, sadly. Retitle thread to "A grown ups' obligation towards common sense".
Does common sense not cover verifying whether or not something comes under warranty, before pulling out money to throw at the problem though?
ging84 said:
The heated seat work well enough for the origonal owner, who bought it new 5 years ago presumably at a price at least twice what you paid, but they do not work well enough for you. I think you are onto a loser with this one, at least on your basic consumer rights, but the terms of sale might be more favourable.
If it was a used approved vehicle you'd probably be able to get it repaired.
It was not an approved used. As stated, the brand of the car was not the brand of the selling dealer.If it was a used approved vehicle you'd probably be able to get it repaired.
It is a bit gutting that the previous owner didn't notice, flag and have it rectified. Of course I don't know if it was a fault installed at manufacture, or if it was a poor choice of components at manufacture which caused the problem to manifest in later life. After the warranty was gone
Mexman said:
And why exactly should the dealer stump up a four figure sum to rectify?
Its a manufacturing problem not the selling dealers.
If it was still under that manufacturers warranty, then fair enough, but now?.....I dont think you will get anywhere.
This is why I'm asking really. The salesman told me if there is anything wrong with the car within 3 months his company will pay to rectifyIts a manufacturing problem not the selling dealers.
If it was still under that manufacturers warranty, then fair enough, but now?.....I dont think you will get anywhere.
Edited by Mexman on Saturday 30th November 10:46
Sheepshanks said:
I’ve got heated seats in my car and I never turn them back on - each to their own, but it seems slightly odd to turn them on again, once you’re warm.
If the job costs £1000 then they’ll be taking the seats apart and fitting new heater elements - I’d be reluctant to let them do that, the seats will squeak and rattle afterwards.
I don't like the sound of rattly squeaky seats actually. Thanks for the pointer. You are right, the bulletin repair method is to replace foam, heater pad and thermostatIf the job costs £1000 then they’ll be taking the seats apart and fitting new heater elements - I’d be reluctant to let them do that, the seats will squeak and rattle afterwards.
flashbang said:
Isn't that a safety feature though, bit like a thermostat? Every car I've had with heated seats does the same.
Well yes there is a thermostat which stops them getting "too" hot, but it seems the ones I have are very forgetful about turning them back on to maintain the temperature.For clarity, here is the wording of the TSB. I experience number 3 and maybe number 2 as well.
<TSB>
DESCRIPTION OF PHENOMENON
Some customers may experience and report 1 or more of the below phenomena
 Seat heater is not switching ON at cabin temperatures 16°C - 20°C
 Seat heater ON/OFF cycle is too long.
 Once the seat heater switches OFF (target seat temperature achieved, it doesn't switch ON again.
PRODUCTION CHANGE
The seat heater thermostat has been changed.
Cars built from 1st June 2016 have been fixed
Cars built before this need the drivers and passengers seat base foam incl heat pad replaced with modified units.
</TSB>
RobGSR said:
Some customers may experience and report 1 or more of the below phenomena
That's the thing with TSBs - the customer has to notice and report the issue. I imagine the number of people who would pick up on this issue, and think to mention it at service time, would be tiny.Cars can have hundreds, if not thousands, of TSBs.
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