Bought a car with a blown headgasket any advice?
Discussion
Hi folks hoping someone who has experience in car sales or in these kind of matters can help. Basically my ex girlfriend has just passed her test and went and viewed a 53 plate Renault Clio with 50,000 miles on it in very clean condition. They agreed to buy the car before I found out and I was asked to go and see it upon which I discovered a lot of mayo like gunk under the filler cap. Of course the first sign of a blown headgasket these cars are notorious for this though due to condensation so seen as they had bought the car I advised when they collect it they take it to a garage for a test on the coolant tank for gases. The result it has a blown headgasket.
So they took the car straight back to the garage to return it to be told it was fine to pass an MOT for 2000 pounds it is a "runabout" they say and since the car has been inspected by there mechanics it is fine. It is a major dealership of a well known brand so not the kind of service you expect! Anyway the dealer principal is playing hardball refusing to take the car back refusing the get his mechanics to look at it, refusing to take the word of the independent garage and to top it off saying that if the car is left on his forecourt he will have to charge parking fees!
Trading standards have advised to write to the garage etc and to leave the car with them with a key each which again the garage say is her property her problem! I know there is a lot of knowledgeable people on this site so if you can help at all any advice would be appreciated.
So they took the car straight back to the garage to return it to be told it was fine to pass an MOT for 2000 pounds it is a "runabout" they say and since the car has been inspected by there mechanics it is fine. It is a major dealership of a well known brand so not the kind of service you expect! Anyway the dealer principal is playing hardball refusing to take the car back refusing the get his mechanics to look at it, refusing to take the word of the independent garage and to top it off saying that if the car is left on his forecourt he will have to charge parking fees!
Trading standards have advised to write to the garage etc and to leave the car with them with a key each which again the garage say is her property her problem! I know there is a lot of knowledgeable people on this site so if you can help at all any advice would be appreciated.
Edited by MarkCarroll on Thursday 5th April 18:03
You bought it from a dealer, and an independant has verified that it has indeed got a blown gasket, and this happened in such a short time that your girlfriend can't be held responsible?
In which case, write a letter to the dealer explaining you will come along with a lawyer unless they sort it out.
As is your right.
In which case, write a letter to the dealer explaining you will come along with a lawyer unless they sort it out.
As is your right.
Park it outside the dealership with a big poster in the windscreen saying what's wrong with it and the dealers attitude (make sure it is worded in a way that is not "section five" or libelous). They can't move a car from a public place. Provided it's parked legally, taxed, M.O.T'd and insured the Police/DVLA/Council can't do anything either.
Have a free consultation with a solicitor and/or the Citizens Advice guys to see what you need to do to get the Trading Standards people involved. Sale of good that are unfit for purpose or not of merchantable quality. Have a word with your local paper get them on board I'm sure they have nothing better to do.
Have a free consultation with a solicitor and/or the Citizens Advice guys to see what you need to do to get the Trading Standards people involved. Sale of good that are unfit for purpose or not of merchantable quality. Have a word with your local paper get them on board I'm sure they have nothing better to do.
OP, we have sussed who it is. Can I suggest that you get it in writing, email will do, that they are NOT prepared to rectify this?
Have a field day!
(And in reality it will"cost" them maybe a hundred quid to fix. Problem solved.
There will be many people on here to assist you.
For those that do not know who the supplier is, let us say it is not a small dealer group.
Have a field day!
(And in reality it will"cost" them maybe a hundred quid to fix. Problem solved.
There will be many people on here to assist you.
For those that do not know who the supplier is, let us say it is not a small dealer group.
There specific words were they believe the headgasket is fine if it blows within 30 days brings it back and they will fix it. He was informed it had been independently proved to have already blown and his response was well if the engine blows within 30 days bring it back and I will replace it. Laughable!
Due to the fact the garage have shown they are either purposely selling cars with major faults or there mechanics have such a low level of competence they can't spot this problem there trust in them has gone. I would be worried they will just change the gasket and not skim the head or rectify the reason it blew and a few months down the line the problem returns at which point clearly they will not be interested. I am hoping for them to obtain a refund if possible.
Had some great advice so far and anybody knows much about the in and outs of what their rights are and if I can reject the car would be interested to hear where they stand legally so I can pass the advice on.
Due to the fact the garage have shown they are either purposely selling cars with major faults or there mechanics have such a low level of competence they can't spot this problem there trust in them has gone. I would be worried they will just change the gasket and not skim the head or rectify the reason it blew and a few months down the line the problem returns at which point clearly they will not be interested. I am hoping for them to obtain a refund if possible.
Had some great advice so far and anybody knows much about the in and outs of what their rights are and if I can reject the car would be interested to hear where they stand legally so I can pass the advice on.
They say they have sold you a `runabout`. What they have sold you is a car that is not fit for purpose as it cannot be used as a `runabout` cause the head gasket is goosed and further use of the car could cause serious damage. Get a solicitor on the job asap and don`t clock any milage on the car!
MarkCarroll said:
There specific words were they believe the headgasket is fine if it blows within 30 days brings it back and they will fix it. He was informed it had been independently proved to have already blown and his response was well if the engine blows within 30 days bring it back and I will replace it. Laughable!
Chancing their arms! If the comment above is true, then obviously the person that made it hasn't a clue.750turbo said:
MarkCarroll said:
There specific words were they believe the headgasket is fine if it blows within 30 days brings it back and they will fix it. He was informed it had been independently proved to have already blown and his response was well if the engine blows within 30 days bring it back and I will replace it. Laughable!
Chancing their arms! If the comment above is true, then obviously the person that made it hasn't a clue.
1. Explain the problem IN WRITING to the dealer and give them an opportunity ro fix it at their own wxpense.
2. If they won't fix it, make sure you have an indepensdant report on the car and then get it fixed.
3. Sue the dealer for cost of repair, including cost of the independant report. This is very simple using the online money claims process and, if what you say is true, you will win easily.
2. If they won't fix it, make sure you have an indepensdant report on the car and then get it fixed.
3. Sue the dealer for cost of repair, including cost of the independant report. This is very simple using the online money claims process and, if what you say is true, you will win easily.
interloper said:
I hate to go against the grain but is the head gasket actually goosed? Mayo under the filler can be caused by weather conditions and type of use. Has the car had a compression test? That would normally show whether you had an actual issue.
OP said it's had a combustion leak test done It could of course not be the headgasket, a cracked head or block but it's pretty irrelevant given the dealers attitude.
It's sad that dealers like this exist, it just adds to the stereotype
Jimmyarm said:
OP said it's had a combustion leak test done
It could of course not be the headgasket, a cracked head or block but it's pretty irrelevant given the dealers attitude.
It's sad that dealers like this exist, it just adds to the stereotype
The "dealer" is one of the the UK top 5, not a dodgy corner shop. They really should know better.It could of course not be the headgasket, a cracked head or block but it's pretty irrelevant given the dealers attitude.
It's sad that dealers like this exist, it just adds to the stereotype
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