Issues with car bought from a dealer

[Melonston]

So my sister recently bought a car from a dealer, just a small corsa for approx £2k. I took it for a test drive, it drove fine so they made a deal. She picked it up a couple of days later and about 10 mile later, the engine warning light came on. She took it back, they told her it was the o2 sensor but they had replaced it and it needed time to "bed in". She doesn't know a lot about cars, but knew that was crap. They also tried to tell her it could be the fuel she was using, again total crap.

They told her to keep the car, run about 100 miles on it and it should sort its-self out. She has done this as quick as possible (to remain within the 30 day time period) but it didn't go off. Again, they said "keep it it until Friday" (today, the 29th).

So she took it back in today, stated she wanted to reject the car and would be following it up in writing. They said "give us a chance to fix it first, if we can't we'll swap it with something of similar value". Given the situation, she doesn't trust this dealer at all, and I don't think anyone would. I've come to the conclusion they have cleared any faults and hoped the light wouldn't show up in the first 30 days of her ownership. They told her, if she wanted a refund she would have to take them to court. Anyone have any extra legal advice? I've looked online and she is basically stuck I think.. the 30 day clock is pause because they have the car in their possession, but she hasn't got the cash to buy another car while the court date arrives. IANAL but there's a lot of info online, but maybe I've missed something?

Thanks very much for reading.

[PurpleMoonlight]

Having the right and enforcing it are completely different things

Dealer co-operation is the quick way, the courts is the slow way.

As an aside. I can't see the point of buying a £2000 car from a dealer. You are really only getting a £1000 car. Buy private.

[curlie467]

They've said to let them fix so give them a chance.

[Melonston]

I would have bought private, but I can't force her to do that. They are on a limited income and she wanted the security of rights etc. I've even offered to pay her court costs and turn up and speak for her. The dealer do have it now, said they will try. I've had a look at various owners clubs and the problems sound like some sort of problem could be underlying, i've just found out it threw 4 error codes for o2 sensor, MAF and blower.

[Josho]

O2 sensors are common on these Corsa's.

Make sure no exhaust leaks and then the have 2 sensors and a lot of people get them mixed up.

Cheap ECP ones don't work either!

[anonymous-user]

Josho said:

O2 sensors are common on these Corsa's.

Make sure no exhaust leaks and then the have 2 sensors and a lot of people get them mixed up.

Cheap ECP ones don't work either!

Never ever use ECP electrical items (MAFS, O2) etc unless branded something like Bosch. Usually always guff otherwise

[eatcustard]

I had a slimier experience when I bought a mini, it was the MAF sensor in the end.
It took the dealer 4 attempts to get it fixed

[JimmyConwayNW]

Sometimes the dealer does want to help, sometimes it just takes a couple of attempts.

Corsa models always need something or other the benefit is they are cheap as chips to fix. Coil packs, spark plugs a good service and then the 02 sensors will not cost much and have it running right.

Maybe worth having it plugged in elsewhere so you know what you are dealing with and can ensure the appropriate fix.

[mgv8]

Another option is to take it to a 3rd party to find out was is wrong (best agreed with garage). Then you know what is wrong and they can pay for fix.

[Barkychoc]

My old man's zafira that he's had ages started gettting the light coming on. 02 reg so not worth dumping a lot of money into it.
A local mechanic said it's really common and try always having the oil at max on the dipstick
and use super unleaded. Light doesn't come on now.

[Foliage]

Josho said:

O2 sensors are common on these Corsa's.

Make sure no exhaust leaks and then the have 2 sensors and a lot of people get them mixed up.

Cheap ECP ones don't work either!

only 2 my car has 7 of the bloody things...


OP buy a code reader, they are about a £10 it will tell you why the light is on, give the garage a chance to fix it.

[andymc]

you want to reject a car because the eml is on but it runs fine?

[andymc]

im at a loss you are wanting to go to court over an eml, let them fix it and move on, the cra 2015 is for genuine issues

[Joeguard1990]

erm... let the garage try and fix it 1st before threatening court action?

If this was a private buy and the EML light came on for O2 sensor you'd be expected to sort it yourself, so be glad you have the garage agreeing to look at it!

[Blue Oval84]

PurpleMoonlight said:

Having the right and enforcing it are completely different things

^This.

It's all very well to know that you have rights but if the dealer won't play ball then the only way to enforce them is court action. Fortunately this dealer seems to be making it very clear that you need to take them to court to enforce your rights.