Second Hand Car Issues

[The Brummie]

I bought a car on 13 July, not massively expensive, however £3k was a fair chunk of my saving.

The car developed a couple of faults within 24 hours - the horn stopped working & a 'Check Anti-Pollution System' warning appeared on the dashboard.

I contacted the dealer immediately & was told that neither fault was a major issue - I begged too differ because not having a working horn was (is) dangerous.

Within a couple of days a few more faults appeared - the engine needed oil, the 'Service Overdue' warning light came on, the reversing sensors stopped working as did the sat-nat & the radio.

The car clearly hadn't been serviced prior too sale (I was assured that a full service had been carried) because if it had I would have expected the engine oil too be full (it wasnt) & the service overdue light should not have come on.

Due too the dealer being 50 miles away I requested a courtesy car whilst mine was with them because I need a car for work.

I booked the car in on 4 separate occasions & each time the courtesy car became unavailable.

A further warning light appeared earlier this week - 'Check Braking System'.

Thanks too a Motorway Policeman who pulled me over I then discovered that the brake lights were permanently 'on'.

I have also not received a V5C in my name. On calling the DVLA I discovered that the car is not registered in my name!!!

I have, on more than one occasion, requested a full refund however the requested has been met with a firm 'no'.

So my question too those in the know is this - am I entitled too a refund or, as I suspect, will I have too suck it up?

I have attempted too return the car too the dealer however each time there has been an excuse from them meaning I haven't been able to take the car back.

[Wheel Turned Out]

Consumer Rights Act gives you six months to return it, if you have found faults with it or it's not as described - no? As long as it was bought from a dealer, you should have that coverage.

Sounds like you have more than enough evidence and correspondence to back up that you have given them the opportunity to rectify the issues with the car and they haven't. If you inform them that you're aware of your legal rights and aren't afraid of taking the matter further, politely, they may grow a little more cooperative. Many a shady dealer preys on buyers not knowing their rights, or presuming that because it's not an "expensive" car that they should let things slide.

Depends how far you want to take it, but if they stonewall you your options are either suck it up or seek legal advice.

[mattyprice4004]

Paid for on a credit card?
If so section 75 might be your best option - the credit card company are jointly and severably liable.

Do a bit of homework on S75 and you’ll find the process to follow.
If not paid on CC it’s handy to know for next time on purchases over £100.

[Canon_Fodder]

OP as all these faults have appeared within the forst 30 days you have the right to reject for a full refund.

Google "consumer rights act 2015"

This is from 'Which'

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the...

[The Brummie]

My request for a refund was rejected because, in their opinion, they have offered numerous dates for me too take the car back.

Thing is this - I suggested dates, they agreed, they cancelled at the last minute & the dealer has never suggested a date.

I have the emai trails.....

The car was bought using a debit card because I don't have a credit card so not sure if Section 75 can be used.

I have tried the 'be nice' approach.

It didn't work.

[Canon_Fodder]

Fire this off to the owner / manager - 'signed for' post.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/letter/let...

[Wheel Turned Out]

Maybe time to inform them that you are aware of your rights, and if they do not comply you will be taking the matter further and you will be telling everyone you know about the terrible service you've had. If they won't be decent, a series of public negative reviews might encourage them into doing the right thing.

Name and shame if you have all that evidence; if nothing else you might at least help prevent someone else going through what you have.

[steveo3002]

being entitled to a refund and getting a refund are different matters, if its a sketchy back street cowboy then they will disappear and reopen to avoid honoring your rights

[mattyprice4004]

The Brummie said:

My request for a refund was rejected because, in their opinion, they have offered numerous dates for me too take the car back.

Thing is this - I suggested dates, they agreed, they cancelled at the last minute & the dealer has never suggested a date.

I have the emai trails.....

The car was bought using a debit card because I don't have a credit card so not sure if Section 75 can be used.

I have tried the 'be nice' approach.

It didn't work.

Worth getting a credit card just for stuff like this - even if you pay it off in full immediately.
It makes life so much more simple.

[stevemcs]

Perhaps you should let them have the car and forget about a courtesy car, its not the dealers fault you are 50 miles away and there is nothing to say they have to give you a loan car.

Whilst yes you are more than likely entitled to a refund, being entitled to it and actually getting it are two very different things.

If you continue to drive it with the engine light on you run the risk of damaging something - and again thats not the dealer fault.

[Cupramatt]

I had exact the same as this.
Is this from a garage in Birmingham that operate from a Hertz garage?

[The Brummie]

stevemcs said:

Perhaps you should let them have the car and forget about a courtesy car, its not the dealers fault you are 50 miles away and there is nothing to say they have to give you a loan car.

Whilst yes you are more than likely entitled to a refund, being entitled to it and actually getting it are two very different things.

If you continue to drive it with the engine light on you run the risk of damaging something - and again thats not the dealer fault.

I never said it was their fault I live 50 miles away - after a discussion with the garage they offered me a courtesy car.

And then they cancelled 4 appointments!!!!

It is their fault when they cancel the appointment less than 12 hours before I'm due too take the car back - 7 days prior the date was agreed & 12 hours before I'm due they 'remembered' that their mechanic was on holiday!!!!

Like they didn't know before.

[The Brummie]

Cupramatt said:

I had exact the same as this.
Is this from a garage in Birmingham that operate from a Hertz garage?

No. A garage somewhere near Weston Super Mare.

[poo at Paul's]

What car is it?

I’m wondering if some of these faults are connected? Water ingress to body control modules like can happen on some VWs cause issues like these and can be easy to resolve.

[The Brummie]

poo at Paul's said:

What car is it?

I’m wondering if some of these faults are connected? Water ingress to body control modules like can happen on some VWs cause issues like these and can be easy to resolve.

Renault Laguna Coupe. With the amount of water in the footwell I wonder what underneath the carpet looks like.

[Trevor555]

The Brummie said:

I have, on more than one occasion, requested a full refund however the requested has been met with a firm 'no'.

So my question too those in the know is this - am I entitled too a refund or, as I suspect, will I have too suck it up?

Were your requests all by phone? Or do you have one in writing?

Call citizens advice, they are the people "in the know" that you should be talking to, and point you to template letters on their website with all the correct wording.

It's a free service to consumers.

But as has already been said, being entitled to a refund, and actually getting it, are two very different things.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 4th September 16:08

[The Brummie]

Trevor555 said:

Were your requests all by phone? Or do you have one in writing?

Call citizens advice, they are the people "in the know" that you should be talking to, and point you to template letters on their website with all the correct wording.

It's a free service to consumers.

But as has already been said, being entitled to a refund, and actually getting it, are two very different things.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 4th September 16:08

All requests were done by email.

[Trevor555]

The Brummie said:

Trevor555 said:

Were your requests all by phone? Or do you have one in writing?

Call citizens advice, they are the people "in the know" that you should be talking to, and point you to template letters on their website with all the correct wording.

It's a free service to consumers.

But as has already been said, being entitled to a refund, and actually getting it, are two very different things.

Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 4th September 16:08

All requests were done by email.

That's good, call citizens advice and they'll advise you.

But be aware, actually getting your refund is not always easy, and you have to stop using the car if seeking a rejection.

I've seen many, many, back street dealers simply change their trading name to get out of a few sticky cases. And that really isn't good if you've delivered the car back to them.

[The Brummie]

Not using the car will be an issue short term - I work all over the South West & Midlands - so I would struggle too get to work.

However if it comes too that then sobeit.

I am also concerned that the car is not registered too me.

How do I find out the RK because it sure as hell isn't me!!!

I am going too the dealership tomorrow morning so I will, again, politely request a refund.

And if (when) the request is refused I'll decide what too do next.

Not sure whether I can trust them to even do the way overdue service - its easy too reset the 'service overdue' button without actually doing the service.

[stevemcs]

The Brummie said:

I am going too the dealership tomorrow morning so I will, again, politely request a refund.

Thats the most sensible approach.