Used Car Issue
Discussion
I bought a used Audi A6 Avant from a dealer on 5th January for £3,995. Its a 2005 model with 130,000 miles. The dealer is approx 130 miles away from me.
On the 7th January, I'm driving along, gearbox messes itself up between 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear indicator lights light up red and it goes into limp mode. Turn it off and try it again and about 200m up the road it does it again.
I contact the dealer the morning after noting the issue and after a bit if discussion he agrees to send a recovery truck down to pick it up on the 9th.
9th comes and goes and no collection. Contact him again and he says the collection guy let him down. Then says he'll come down and collect on the 14th.
He eventually comes down to collect, but in an old banger, drives the Audi away despite the obvious issue and my station its not the best idea and leaves me with the 20 year old astra with 250,000 miles on the clock (appreciate that he didn't have to, but not what I paid £4k for).
Now we're on the 25th, it's apparently with an Audi specialist who has recommended a gearbox flush and filter change and I'm still driving around in a beat up old astra rather than the Audi I paid for.
My question is, how long do I really have to give this guy to try and repair before I can take further action? I appreciate some element of patience is required but I really feel I've been more than on this occasion.
The Audi was only bought as a stop gap between lease cars, at this rate I won't even drive it!
On the 7th January, I'm driving along, gearbox messes itself up between 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear indicator lights light up red and it goes into limp mode. Turn it off and try it again and about 200m up the road it does it again.
I contact the dealer the morning after noting the issue and after a bit if discussion he agrees to send a recovery truck down to pick it up on the 9th.
9th comes and goes and no collection. Contact him again and he says the collection guy let him down. Then says he'll come down and collect on the 14th.
He eventually comes down to collect, but in an old banger, drives the Audi away despite the obvious issue and my station its not the best idea and leaves me with the 20 year old astra with 250,000 miles on the clock (appreciate that he didn't have to, but not what I paid £4k for).
Now we're on the 25th, it's apparently with an Audi specialist who has recommended a gearbox flush and filter change and I'm still driving around in a beat up old astra rather than the Audi I paid for.
My question is, how long do I really have to give this guy to try and repair before I can take further action? I appreciate some element of patience is required but I really feel I've been more than on this occasion.
The Audi was only bought as a stop gap between lease cars, at this rate I won't even drive it!
Edited by tomble22 on Monday 28th January 13:44
You have bought an old high mileage used car which is approaching the end of its serviceable life. It is long since past any manufacturers warranty and long outside the period many, if any, aftermarket warranty companies will cover.
First thing keep the dealer onside. Just explain quite happy for the car to be remedied, these things happen they were not to know but you do need it done quickly. If they can't explain you are happy for a refund if its not economical to fix.
I would probably say its just gone whilst you have had the car and these things can and do happen, they did not build it they have just sold it.
I think they have been quite helpful lending you a car however they need to show a little more urgency in terms of sorting the repair out as its a 2/3 hour process rather than several days and you need to be in a larger car.
First thing keep the dealer onside. Just explain quite happy for the car to be remedied, these things happen they were not to know but you do need it done quickly. If they can't explain you are happy for a refund if its not economical to fix.
I would probably say its just gone whilst you have had the car and these things can and do happen, they did not build it they have just sold it.
I think they have been quite helpful lending you a car however they need to show a little more urgency in terms of sorting the repair out as its a 2/3 hour process rather than several days and you need to be in a larger car.
JimmyConwayNW said:
You have bought an old high mileage used car which is approaching the end of its serviceable life. It is long since past any manufacturers warranty and long outside the period many, if any, aftermarket warranty companies will cover.
First thing keep the dealer onside. Just explain quite happy for the car to be remedied, these things happen they were not to know but you do need it done quickly. If they can't explain you are happy for a refund if its not economical to fix.
I would probably say its just gone whilst you have had the car and these things can and do happen, they did not build it they have just sold it.
I think they have been quite helpful lending you a car however they need to show a little more urgency in terms of sorting the repair out as its a 2/3 hour process rather than several days and you need to be in a larger car.
Ta for that, just good to have a sanity check more than anything. He's been co-operative to date and I appreciate its a tricky situation for him also, but i also think there is a reasonable timeframe where either the works should be completed or if not viable, a refund given.First thing keep the dealer onside. Just explain quite happy for the car to be remedied, these things happen they were not to know but you do need it done quickly. If they can't explain you are happy for a refund if its not economical to fix.
I would probably say its just gone whilst you have had the car and these things can and do happen, they did not build it they have just sold it.
I think they have been quite helpful lending you a car however they need to show a little more urgency in terms of sorting the repair out as its a 2/3 hour process rather than several days and you need to be in a larger car.
I do sympathise with you, honestly. I have in the past bought cars from 100+ miles away. Autotrader is just a modified online casino, it sucks you in and spits you out.
I have on occasion got lucky. My wife's 16 year old Saab, bought for £795 from an Ebay ad, being a case in point, though do actually check the tyre pressures and oil level before you let her set off for home in it - 12 psi all round is not advisable on the M1 in the evening rush hour, even if it was bought from a dear elderly couple who had clearly looked after it.
But on other occasions I have not got lucky, and that distance is a pain in the bum. My biggest problem was with an Audi A8 bought for £7,200 from a dealer in Norwich when I lived 60, soon to be 120, miles away. I knew the aircon wasn't working on the test drive, the electronic handbrake was faulty and it needed an MOT, but they said they would sort it all out before I collected it. To be fair, it cost them over £1000 with a main dealer, and yet the aircon still didn't work for my entire ownership, but getting the car back to them and collecting it again was a right royal pain in the bum, costing me the best part of a day's work each way both ends. In the end I scrapped the car when it developed hideous electrical problems (not uncommon with Audis).
Lesson learned - never buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar/Landrover - far too complicated and badly built. Never buy from anyone more than 20 miles away, never trust a used car warranty (except a factory one on a Lexus) and never trust a dealer to completely fix the faults that were present when you agreed to buy it, before you collect it. Also, never buy privately from a Yorkshireman (that £1500 car cost me £3000 in repairs in the first year), always get any car checked by someone like the RAC, so you have redress against them when it goes wrong, and ideally buy from someone you know who lives less than 5 miles away.
No, I did none of those things, but am trying to be good and follow my own rules next time.
I have on occasion got lucky. My wife's 16 year old Saab, bought for £795 from an Ebay ad, being a case in point, though do actually check the tyre pressures and oil level before you let her set off for home in it - 12 psi all round is not advisable on the M1 in the evening rush hour, even if it was bought from a dear elderly couple who had clearly looked after it.
But on other occasions I have not got lucky, and that distance is a pain in the bum. My biggest problem was with an Audi A8 bought for £7,200 from a dealer in Norwich when I lived 60, soon to be 120, miles away. I knew the aircon wasn't working on the test drive, the electronic handbrake was faulty and it needed an MOT, but they said they would sort it all out before I collected it. To be fair, it cost them over £1000 with a main dealer, and yet the aircon still didn't work for my entire ownership, but getting the car back to them and collecting it again was a right royal pain in the bum, costing me the best part of a day's work each way both ends. In the end I scrapped the car when it developed hideous electrical problems (not uncommon with Audis).
Lesson learned - never buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar/Landrover - far too complicated and badly built. Never buy from anyone more than 20 miles away, never trust a used car warranty (except a factory one on a Lexus) and never trust a dealer to completely fix the faults that were present when you agreed to buy it, before you collect it. Also, never buy privately from a Yorkshireman (that £1500 car cost me £3000 in repairs in the first year), always get any car checked by someone like the RAC, so you have redress against them when it goes wrong, and ideally buy from someone you know who lives less than 5 miles away.
No, I did none of those things, but am trying to be good and follow my own rules next time.
QBee said:
I do sympathise with you, honestly. I have in the past bought cars from 100+ miles away. Autotrader is just a modified online casino, it sucks you in and spits you out.
I have on occasion got lucky. My wife's 16 year old Saab, bought for £795 from an Ebay ad, being a case in point, though do actually check the tyre pressures and oil level before you let her set off for home in it - 12 psi all round is not advisable on the M1 in the evening rush hour, even if it was bought from a dear elderly couple who had clearly looked after it.
But on other occasions I have not got lucky, and that distance is a pain in the bum. My biggest problem was with an Audi A8 bought for £7,200 from a dealer in Norwich when I lived 60, soon to be 120, miles away. I knew the aircon wasn't working on the test drive, the electronic handbrake was faulty and it needed an MOT, but they said they would sort it all out before I collected it. To be fair, it cost them over £1000 with a main dealer, and yet the aircon still didn't work for my entire ownership, but getting the car back to them and collecting it again was a right royal pain in the bum, costing me the best part of a day's work each way both ends. In the end I scrapped the car when it developed hideous electrical problems (not uncommon with Audis).
Lesson learned - never buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar/Landrover - far too complicated and badly built. Never buy from anyone more than 20 miles away, never trust a used car warranty (except a factory one on a Lexus) and never trust a dealer to completely fix the faults that were present when you agreed to buy it, before you collect it. Also, never buy privately from a Yorkshireman (that £1500 car cost me £3000 in repairs in the first year), always get any car checked by someone like the RAC, so you have redress against them when it goes wrong, and ideally buy from someone you know who lives less than 5 miles away.
No, I did none of those things, but am trying to be good and follow my own rules next time.
Not entirely true lots of garages offer great after care. Usually found with great reviews and feedback.I have on occasion got lucky. My wife's 16 year old Saab, bought for £795 from an Ebay ad, being a case in point, though do actually check the tyre pressures and oil level before you let her set off for home in it - 12 psi all round is not advisable on the M1 in the evening rush hour, even if it was bought from a dear elderly couple who had clearly looked after it.
But on other occasions I have not got lucky, and that distance is a pain in the bum. My biggest problem was with an Audi A8 bought for £7,200 from a dealer in Norwich when I lived 60, soon to be 120, miles away. I knew the aircon wasn't working on the test drive, the electronic handbrake was faulty and it needed an MOT, but they said they would sort it all out before I collected it. To be fair, it cost them over £1000 with a main dealer, and yet the aircon still didn't work for my entire ownership, but getting the car back to them and collecting it again was a right royal pain in the bum, costing me the best part of a day's work each way both ends. In the end I scrapped the car when it developed hideous electrical problems (not uncommon with Audis).
Lesson learned - never buy an Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar/Landrover - far too complicated and badly built. Never buy from anyone more than 20 miles away, never trust a used car warranty (except a factory one on a Lexus) and never trust a dealer to completely fix the faults that were present when you agreed to buy it, before you collect it. Also, never buy privately from a Yorkshireman (that £1500 car cost me £3000 in repairs in the first year), always get any car checked by someone like the RAC, so you have redress against them when it goes wrong, and ideally buy from someone you know who lives less than 5 miles away.
No, I did none of those things, but am trying to be good and follow my own rules next time.
Buying s
tters for £795 - You can't buy a push bike for that. Sometimes they are fine for a while sometimes they go to st but it really is a gamble buying end of life stuff.Ah the old autobox fix all of fluid and filter replacement to cure all sorts of problems .
Much the same as sticking STP or Wynns in a noisy engine or fullers earth in a slipping clutch .
All these mask the problem, they do not fix the problem .
Automatic transmission fluid changes colour for two reasons contanimation or the components have become very worn .
Get vehicles inspected properly prior to purchase .
Do not buy vehicles from traders if the have faults that they promise to fix .
Any dealer worth their salt will fix faults before the car is presented for sale to the public .
Much the same as sticking STP or Wynns in a noisy engine or fullers earth in a slipping clutch .
All these mask the problem, they do not fix the problem .
Automatic transmission fluid changes colour for two reasons contanimation or the components have become very worn .
Get vehicles inspected properly prior to purchase .
Do not buy vehicles from traders if the have faults that they promise to fix .
Any dealer worth their salt will fix faults before the car is presented for sale to the public .
JimmyConwayNW said:
Buying stters for £795 - You can't buy a push bike for that. Sometimes they are fine for a while sometimes they go to st but it really is a gamble buying end of life stuff.
It was worth a gamble. I have had a number of Saabs and felt I could spot the right kind of owner. The service book was stamped every 3000 miles/year by a Saab specialist after the initial 3 years of main dealer when it was a company car. The elderly couple had all the right hallmarks of careful owners and it drove well on a test drive. In the three years and 18,000 miles we have had it, it has needed a new auxiliary belt, a wheel bearing, new tyres and a small weld in the exhaust. It's comfortable, solid, auto, leather, estate, airconditioned and, best of all, she likes it.tters for £795 - You can't buy a push bike for that. Sometimes they are fine for a while sometimes they go to st but it really is a gamble buying end of life stuff.I agree it could have all gone west, but it was worth the gamble and a trip to Amersham.
grumpy52 said:
Ah the old autobox fix all of fluid and filter replacement to cure all sorts of problems .
Much the same as sticking STP or Wynns in a noisy engine or fullers earth in a slipping clutch .
All these mask the problem, they do not fix the problem .
Automatic transmission fluid changes colour for two reasons contanimation or the components have become very worn .
Get vehicles inspected properly prior to purchase .
Do not buy vehicles from traders if the have faults that they promise to fix .
Any dealer worth their salt will fix faults before the car is presented for sale to the public .
S-Tronic/DSG problems of that vintage Audi are common. If fluid and filter don't fix it, it's time for mechatronics to be fixed. Guess which one is the cheaper one to attempt?Much the same as sticking STP or Wynns in a noisy engine or fullers earth in a slipping clutch .
All these mask the problem, they do not fix the problem .
Automatic transmission fluid changes colour for two reasons contanimation or the components have become very worn .
Get vehicles inspected properly prior to purchase .
Do not buy vehicles from traders if the have faults that they promise to fix .
Any dealer worth their salt will fix faults before the car is presented for sale to the public .
bearman68 said:
To be fair, Audi auto gearboxes are known to be excellent beasts that never break.......
Keep the Astra for as long as possible, get the lease car, and then ask for your money back.
Some of this might not be ethical.
To be fair, the tiptronic Audi boxes don't seem to through up too many issues (from what I've read anyway). Keep the Astra for as long as possible, get the lease car, and then ask for your money back.
Some of this might not be ethical.
Do I not need to give him a chance to repair it though? I've read various sources on consumer rights act, sales of goods act etc but none appear that conclusive.
To be fair, I wouldn't consider £4k bargain basement either. I mean, if something minor had gone wrong after a couple of days, I would have just got it fixed myself, but even on something relatively old, you expect the gearbox to work for more than a couple of hundred miles!
Edited by tomble22 on Monday 28th January 12:50
Just following up on this.
Dealer returned the car to me on Tuesday 5th February following "repair". Annoyingly i wasn't available to meet him as i was out at a site meeting at the time, so he dropped the keys off with my wife at home and left.
I drove the car when i got home and although the issue with going into limp mode had gone, it still didn't feel quite right. Anyhow, i thought i would give the benefit of the doubt for a day or so just to see how it was after a few miles.
Fast forward to the Friday and the same fault occured as last time, along with a couple of other issues, namely jerking into gear between 1st and 2nd & 3rd and 4th, the rev counter bouncing up and down when coasting making the car jerk forward and a rumbling when in 4th, 5th and 6th (like a heavy vibration).....I stopped using the car at that point.
Reported to the dealer on the Monday, and he has responded to say that it is down to them to ensure the car is fit for purpose on the day of sale which apprently it was (despite tge fault occuring 2 days after purchase). He has also noted that the 30 day rule under the CRA lays out that if a car has a fault within the first month then it is deemed pre existing unless the seller can prove beyond reasonable doubt this is not the case, which he suggests he can do.
Now, forgive me if i'm wrong here, but surely if he believed this was the case, he wouldn't have even offered to repair in the first place. And by offering to repair, he has confirmed that the fault was there on purchase??
Could really do with some advice/peace of mind from anyone with experience.
Thanks
Dealer returned the car to me on Tuesday 5th February following "repair". Annoyingly i wasn't available to meet him as i was out at a site meeting at the time, so he dropped the keys off with my wife at home and left.
I drove the car when i got home and although the issue with going into limp mode had gone, it still didn't feel quite right. Anyhow, i thought i would give the benefit of the doubt for a day or so just to see how it was after a few miles.
Fast forward to the Friday and the same fault occured as last time, along with a couple of other issues, namely jerking into gear between 1st and 2nd & 3rd and 4th, the rev counter bouncing up and down when coasting making the car jerk forward and a rumbling when in 4th, 5th and 6th (like a heavy vibration).....I stopped using the car at that point.
Reported to the dealer on the Monday, and he has responded to say that it is down to them to ensure the car is fit for purpose on the day of sale which apprently it was (despite tge fault occuring 2 days after purchase). He has also noted that the 30 day rule under the CRA lays out that if a car has a fault within the first month then it is deemed pre existing unless the seller can prove beyond reasonable doubt this is not the case, which he suggests he can do.
Now, forgive me if i'm wrong here, but surely if he believed this was the case, he wouldn't have even offered to repair in the first place. And by offering to repair, he has confirmed that the fault was there on purchase??
Could really do with some advice/peace of mind from anyone with experience.
Thanks
Trevor555 said:
So what is the dealer saying?
Are they refusing to repair it now?
Yes, refusing to either repair for a second time or refund. Although I think after one attempt at repair and it not working, i can say i just want a refund at that point? Are they refusing to repair it now?
It's not just the fact that the car is faulty, i've had use of the car for a total of 5 days since purchase on 5th January. If it was something minor i'd just get it sorted myself and move on but obviously this isn't the case.
Edited by tomble22 on Wednesday 13th February 17:36
tomble22 said:
Trevor555 said:
So what is the dealer saying?
Are they refusing to repair it now?
Yes, refusing to either repair for a second time or refund. Although I think after one attempt at repair and it not working, i can say i just want a refund at that point? Are they refusing to repair it now?
It's not just the fact that the car is faulty, i've had use of the car for a total of 5 days since purchase on 5th January.
Contact consumer direct for some free advice.
You'll get too much conflicting advice on here.
Have you got their "refusing to repair or refund" in writing?
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