Your advice on a used car issue

[macp]

Dear all

We recently purchased a used car from a local garage with a 3mth warranty.The next day we noticed a problem when starting in that from cold it starts on the button but when hot it will take 4 or 5 secs to start.I reported the potential problem to the garage the next morning just to give them a heads up and advised I would keep an eye on it for a few days just in case of poor fuel etc.

Several days later the car is still the same so I had it checked with an independant who saw no faults registered on the ECU but thought the battery maybe at fault.I reported it to the trader who said I will stick on a new battery for you if you give me some notice but having since done some research it appears to be a common fault where there are three or four reasons including faulty battery but most of the time its the starter motor at fault.I told the trader that I didnt have the time or another vehicle to leave it with him so that he could investigate but at the same time I appreciate that he would not want to be replacing things willy nilly to find the fault.He replied by saying he would go away and speak with his VAG technician and get back to me.

Several days went by and I heard nothing so chased it up and spoke to another who said he would do some reasearch and get the original salesman to call me back.a few days on and still no phone call so I phoned back and got the boss who seemed dismissive to the point of saying I dont see what the problem is when I told him the car starts. He went on to say if VCDS does not show a problem then there is little we can do. He finished by saying that if the car fails to start then we will deal with the problem then.

I can see his point of view but it still pisses me off that we paid good money for what is (in fairness) a really nice car but what if anything should I do now.Should I just accept the offer of the battery knowing that may well not resolve the problem or just feckit and get it fixed at my own cost?

Sorry for the long drawn out post and thanks for taking the time to read it.

Edited by macp on Monday 5th November 14:00

[Disco You]

Paragraphs should solve your problem.

[macp]

Disco You said:

Paragraphs should solve your problem.

Thanks for your help.

[goldblum]

macp said:

Disco You said:

Paragraphs should solve your problem.

Thanks for your help.

Much easier to read now.

If there's no immediate fault there's not much you can do. It's unrealistic to ask the dealer to fix something when no fault can be found.

If you like the car then wait for the inevitable to happen and just replace the part. It is annoying though.

[Amused2death]

We've got a car that takes a few seconds longer to start when hot. It's done it for four years and not got any worse/better.

You bought a used car, it still works, dealer has shown willing to help IF it breaks down. What more are you expecting? If you feel the car isn't right because of "issues" found after purchase whilst researching what you think is a problem then maybe do the research BEFORE purchase next time.

Not being harsh, but dealer could forever be chasing his tail tracking down a "fault" that doesn't manifest in a breakdown every time.

[avocado]

It's definitely a fault, i'd push for further investigation.

Out of interest what car/engine is it?

[macp]

avocado said:

It's definitely a fault, i'd push for further investigation.

Out of interest what car/engine is it?

Its an Audi A3 2.0TDi sportback with 65,000mls. Can I just say there is no blame I have not at anytime blamed anyone. I have I hope tried to be fair and polite I think as its nobodies fault and as I say I can see the traders point of view.

I missed the fault as we drove the car from cold and when we arrived after a long test drive we shut it down and did the deal. I also admittedly and stupidly missed that it needs a service but I told the trader that I would sort that myself.