Do i have to pay?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I bought an E class from an independent dealership and im still within the 6 months warranty he offers. Recently, my infotainment screen stopped working. Returned the car to him the following day and he advised it just needed an update, nothing else. He then advised me it would cost me £350.
Is it my responsibility to pay? i was under the impression this would be covered under warranty?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
I bought an E class from an independent dealership and im still within the 6 months warranty he offers. Recently, my infotainment screen stopped working. Returned the car to him the following day and he advised it just needed an update, nothing else. He then advised me it would cost me £350.
Is it my responsibility to pay? i was under the impression this would be covered under warranty?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Can't see why the lack of a software update would stop the screen from working.
As I it understand though there's a reset procedure of pressing the CD eject button for 10 seconds, so you might want to try that first.
Other than that, if it was me I'd take it to a Merc dealer to try and verify the problem, in case the selling dealer is just trying to fob you off.
As I it understand though there's a reset procedure of pressing the CD eject button for 10 seconds, so you might want to try that first.
Other than that, if it was me I'd take it to a Merc dealer to try and verify the problem, in case the selling dealer is just trying to fob you off.
QJumper said:
Can't see why the lack of a software update would stop the screen from working.
As I it understand though there's a reset procedure of pressing the CD eject button for 10 seconds, so you might want to try that first.
Other than that, if it was me I'd take it to a Merc dealer to try and verify the problem, in case the selling dealer is just trying to fob you off.
Yeah ive tried that, screen gets doesnt go further than the warning message it gives you after the logo load up. As I it understand though there's a reset procedure of pressing the CD eject button for 10 seconds, so you might want to try that first.
Other than that, if it was me I'd take it to a Merc dealer to try and verify the problem, in case the selling dealer is just trying to fob you off.
I believe im past that stage as the issue has been fixed. I was told the price after the job was done, unfortunately.
rix said:
Unlikely an independent traders warranty will cover everything, presumably it will be named components. You may have some recorse under SOGA if it's effectively not fit for purpose tho ianal...
I mean surely i should'nt have to fork out money on resolving an issue within the first 6 months of purchasing a car? or is that my entitlement belief thats restriciting me from facing reality?If it completely stopped working for its basic functionality then I’d argue it’s a fix, not an update.
If, for example, the car didn’t start because the engine ecu failed, the new one may well be a later version but you wouldn’t expect to have to pay for that.
Did you agree to pay if it wasn’t covered?
If, for example, the car didn’t start because the engine ecu failed, the new one may well be a later version but you wouldn’t expect to have to pay for that.
Did you agree to pay if it wasn’t covered?
Used car dealers' warranties are there to cover the major unexpected costs - engine failure on a 911 for example.
Extreme example, but this did actually happen to a friend of mine, only a few weeks after he bought the car.
Infotainment updates are seen as regular maintenance, a bit like new tyres or brake discs.
It really pays to check the car very very thoroughly before you agree to buy it, and walk away if there are areas that are going to cost you serious money.
Always inspect the tyres, brake disks and pads and make sure that all the electronics work and all fluids are at the correct levels.
Do your research, find out what is coming up for routine change ( a lot seems to come up at about 70,000 miles/3 years, and a cam-belt can cost you several hundred pounds) and get them to deal with it before you agree to buy.
If you leave them with a list to do, make sure you both have a written copy of that list.
Much of their stock is either part-exchanges from main dealers, or bought from auction. In either case, the car may have been sold exactly because it was about to cost serious money.
Back in 2012 I bought a 2004 Audi A8. On the test drive I realised that the aircon wasn't working, but assumed that a re-gas would fix it.
The dealer to their credit spent about £1,000 trying to fix it, but in the end we both gave up (they were 70 miles away, another lesson learned, always buy locally) and I drove around for the next four years with the windows open.
Extreme example, but this did actually happen to a friend of mine, only a few weeks after he bought the car.
Infotainment updates are seen as regular maintenance, a bit like new tyres or brake discs.
It really pays to check the car very very thoroughly before you agree to buy it, and walk away if there are areas that are going to cost you serious money.
Always inspect the tyres, brake disks and pads and make sure that all the electronics work and all fluids are at the correct levels.
Do your research, find out what is coming up for routine change ( a lot seems to come up at about 70,000 miles/3 years, and a cam-belt can cost you several hundred pounds) and get them to deal with it before you agree to buy.
If you leave them with a list to do, make sure you both have a written copy of that list.
Much of their stock is either part-exchanges from main dealers, or bought from auction. In either case, the car may have been sold exactly because it was about to cost serious money.
Back in 2012 I bought a 2004 Audi A8. On the test drive I realised that the aircon wasn't working, but assumed that a re-gas would fix it.
The dealer to their credit spent about £1,000 trying to fix it, but in the end we both gave up (they were 70 miles away, another lesson learned, always buy locally) and I drove around for the next four years with the windows open.
I also forgot to say to check the service book for evidence of regular servicing.
In the past few years I have bought two identical Saab 9-5 estates, one for me and one for my wife.
Hers came from an elderly couple and had an immaculate service history - and it has been no trouble in the 6 years since.
Mine came from a dealer 200 miles away, service history was missing, it had almost no oil in it and it has been problem after problem since.
Hence my comments in the post above.
In the past few years I have bought two identical Saab 9-5 estates, one for me and one for my wife.
Hers came from an elderly couple and had an immaculate service history - and it has been no trouble in the 6 years since.
Mine came from a dealer 200 miles away, service history was missing, it had almost no oil in it and it has been problem after problem since.
Hence my comments in the post above.
Warranty is irrelevant (esp if specifically excluded) is it not for the OP, the question is, is the car fit for purpose with inoperable screen? If not, they may have recourse from selling dealer if so.
Are there critical functions that can only be accessed using the screen? Many cars also also those critical functions within the drivers binnacle/screen too, so arguably not....
Are there critical functions that can only be accessed using the screen? Many cars also also those critical functions within the drivers binnacle/screen too, so arguably not....
If he didn't tell you the cost before doing the job, then that is the work of a chancer.
But how much hassle are you up for for £350?
In these situations I often find that a request to meet you half way is a well received compromise. Make your point like you are about to refuse to pay at all, then the relief encourages them to say yes to half price and saves you the grief of weeks of argy bargy.
But how much hassle are you up for for £350?
In these situations I often find that a request to meet you half way is a well received compromise. Make your point like you are about to refuse to pay at all, then the relief encourages them to say yes to half price and saves you the grief of weeks of argy bargy.
Dracoro said:
Warranty is irrelevant (esp if specifically excluded) is it not for the OP, the question is, is the car fit for purpose with inoperable screen? If not, they may have recourse from selling dealer if so.
Are there critical functions that can only be accessed using the screen? Many cars also also those critical functions within the drivers binnacle/screen too, so arguably not....
That was more my thinking that if the car isn't fit for purpose within the 6 month period then that should potentially be covered by the dealer, regardless of what the warranty is that they use. Are there critical functions that can only be accessed using the screen? Many cars also also those critical functions within the drivers binnacle/screen too, so arguably not....
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