Right to reject a newish car

[kagey]

I bought a new vw golf gti 3 months ago . After approx 2 weeks and 1000 miles the oil warning light came on and I had to add a litre of oil. Approx 500 miles later the same thing happened so I reported it to my local main dealer and they carried out some tests , refilled the engine with oil and asked me to return in 600 miles so they could check for usage etc. this I did and they have now informed me that there is a problem with the engine and they have offered to replace the whole engine. The car has now covered aprox 3000 miles and is almost 3 months old. My question is, am I able to refuse the new engine and reject the car as it seems to me that there was a problem when the car was delivered to me from new. The car doesn't have any outstanding finance if that could have any bearing on my complaint.

[The Moose]

Why do you want to reject the thing? Surely with a brand new engine you're good to go?

Sometimes st happens and mechanical objects fail. But they're offering to sort it. What's the issue?

[mercfunder]

Depends what you want to achieve, as Moose says they will fit a new engine, so the car will be as new.
If you are hoping for a straight replacement with a brand new car, very unlikely to happen. If you want your money back and to go and buy something else, chances are they will make an adjustment for the mileage you have done.

[funkyrobot]

New Engine and nearly three years warranty. Why would you worry about this? I'd let them do it. At least they seem to be willing to fix the fault without too much bother.

Get the new engine in and see how it goes. If the car continues to be troublesome, consider your options again.

[daemon]

kagey said:

I bought a new vw golf gti 3 months ago . After approx 2 weeks and 1000 miles the oil warning light came on and I had to add a litre of oil. Approx 500 miles later the same thing happened so I reported it to my local main dealer and they carried out some tests , refilled the engine with oil and asked me to return in 600 miles so they could check for usage etc. this I did and they have now informed me that there is a problem with the engine and they have offered to replace the whole engine. The car has now covered aprox 3000 miles and is almost 3 months old. My question is, am I able to refuse the new engine and reject the car as it seems to me that there was a problem when the car was delivered to me from new. The car doesn't have any outstanding finance if that could have any bearing on my complaint.

It would be difficult to reject the car from a legal perspective, as they have offered a solution to rectify the problem.

If there was an ongoing persistent problem that the dealer couldnt resolve, then you would have grounds for rejection, but even then it can be a long drawn out thing.

[Face for Radio]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but from memory, don't the dealer/manufacturer have 3 chances to fix the problem before you can reject it?

If they're offering to put a brand new engine in it, take the opportunity and chances are the problem will be gone forever and you'll have years of trouble-free motoring.

[daemon]

Face for Radio said:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but from memory, don't the dealer/manufacturer have 3 chances to fix the problem before you can reject it?

If they're offering to put a brand new engine in it, take the opportunity and chances are the problem will be gone forever and you'll have years of trouble-free motoring.

The three chances is a bit of a myth as far as the SOGA - although you have to give the dealer reasonable opportunity to rectify a fault and this is typically considered that three times is reasonable opportunity.

[funkyrobot]

Face for Radio said:

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but from memory, don't the dealer/manufacturer have 3 chances to fix the problem before you can reject it?

If they're offering to put a brand new engine in it, take the opportunity and chances are the problem will be gone forever and you'll have years of trouble-free motoring.

And if you don't, you'll be able to reject the car after the fourth engine.

[boobles]

OP do you feel that the damage has already been done & that your confidence in the car has gone?
I had this with my Audi few months back (it wasn't brand new) but started developing problems 2 weeks after ownership & after 6 months I had given up & cut my losses & got rid. If you feel the same way I did, I can fully understand the reason for wanting to reject it.

[daemon]

mercfunder said:

Depends what you want to achieve, as Moose says they will fit a new engine, so the car will be as new.
If you are hoping for a straight replacement with a brand new car, very unlikely to happen. If you want your money back and to go and buy something else, chances are they will make an adjustment for the mileage you have done.

They would make a low ball offer based on the trade value, as they're really not obliged to take the car back.

[xRIEx]

kagey said:

...as it seems to me that there was a problem when the car was delivered to me from new.

Well yes, the problem was the engine, which they're offering to replace - problem goes away. That's how any warranty claim works, what's the issue?

You're getting to end up ahead of the game, because you've done x-thousand miles and will have a zero mile engine for zero cost.

[Pvapour]

would there be a change in engine number on the V5? would this be recorded at the DVLA, then on a hpi check?

if that were the case then I guess it might effect future resale value.

[98elise]

Pvapour said:

would there be a change in engine number on the V5? would this be recorded at the DVLA, then on a hpi check?

if that were the case then I guess it might effect future resale value.

i don't think its recorded as a change like a the keeper, just the current number.

That said, a dealer fitted brand new engine shouldn't be an issue as any stage. Its a new engine so had less miles on it than the car.

[Amateurish]

You're too late to reject the car. You can only do this after you have taken "reasonable time" to inspect the goods. In this case, the dealer is within their rights to repair and return your car to you.

[Contigo]

Let them drop a new engine in and in the mean time ask for a nice loaner and drive it like you've stolen it.

[Krikkit]

98elise said:

Pvapour said:

would there be a change in engine number on the V5? would this be recorded at the DVLA, then on a hpi check?

if that were the case then I guess it might effect future resale value.

i don't think its recorded as a change like a the keeper, just the current number.

That said, a dealer fitted brand new engine shouldn't be an issue as any stage. Its a new engine so had less miles on it than the car.

There won't be a change of keeper and the DVLA/HPi should have no reason to make it an issue.

OP: I think you're mad - you'll have a brand spanking new engine ready to go at 0 personal cost other than the time to drop off/collect your car.

[SSBB]

kagey said:

I bought a new vw golf gti 3 months ago . After approx 2 weeks and 1000 miles the oil warning light came on and I had to add a litre of oil. Approx 500 miles later the same thing happened so I reported it to my local main dealer and they carried out some tests , refilled the engine with oil and asked me to return in 600 miles so they could check for usage etc. this I did and they have now informed me that there is a problem with the engine and they have offered to replace the whole engine. The car has now covered aprox 3000 miles and is almost 3 months old. My question is, am I able to refuse the new engine and reject the car as it seems to me that there was a problem when the car was delivered to me from new. The car doesn't have any outstanding finance if that could have any bearing on my complaint.

You probably feel that you want to hand it back as you have lost confidence in the reliability of the car, and the image of the car that VW has marketed to you has been shattered.

However, take comfort in the fact that it is just a piece of machinery; one component has failed, which doesn't necessarily reflect on the quality of the rest of the machine.

[hedgefinder]

If it were me I would let them do it, but I would also let them know if there is as much as a hairline scratch or bolt missing when the cars returned to you then they will be liable - I have seen too many jobs done by main dealers where the quality of work done has not been up to scratch - Which will definately cause problems when you come to sell or trade in.

[va1o]

I wouldn't want it, have had bad experiences with this sort of thing in the past. If if can't be rejected I'd sell it straight after they claim to have fitted a new engine.

[va1o]

98elise said:

Pvapour said:

would there be a change in engine number on the V5? would this be recorded at the DVLA, then on a hpi check?

if that were the case then I guess it might effect future resale value.

i don't think its recorded as a change like a the keeper, just the current number.

That said, a dealer fitted brand new engine shouldn't be an issue as any stage. Its a new engine so had less miles on it than the car.

I was once told they just stamp the number of the old engine onto the new block, not sure if true.