Put deposit down on car - still waiting 11 days later...

[colt45]

Hi All,
I’ve put a 1000 deposit down on a used car on the Saturday 16th November (11 days ago). The car was meant to be ready 3 days later on Tuesday 19th November after some bodywork was being fixed and a part changed. The car had an MOT until Jul-20 but for some reason the dealer (which uses a nearby mechanic) had a couple of things done and the mechanic MOT’ed it which it failed so they had to order a part. I’ve called 3 times and it seems that the part was incorrectly ordered twice and the last I heard 4 days ago, a correct part was due on to be fitted yesterday.
I handed over the deposit 11 days ago. What are my rights on this? Can I ask for my deposit back and what are the chances of this being honoured.

[Monkeylegend]

What did the dealer say when you pulled the trigger? Do you have any signed paperwork/ agreement?

[colt45]

I have a signed form showing what needs to fixed on the car. It doesn't have a pickup date on it though as he initially said Monday or Tuesday last week.

[Nickp82]

You can of course ask for your deposit back, it may be returned without quibble or you may face a bit of a battle as the dealer would be within his rights to withhold some of it due to the costs incurred so far in preparing the car for you.
But rather than do that, why not just ring the dealer and have a conversation? It sounds like they are trying to get the car right before handing it over which is surely a good thing?.

[strath44]

Smells a bit fishy!

Could be they are waiting on a part or paperwork, to put it into context what car and rough price is it?

[ZX10R NIN]

Did you get your car? It sounds like the dealer is trying to make sure you have no issues once you get the car, so I'd say give them a chance.

[colt45]

Ill be picking it up on Friday - its ready now but I can't get out of work during daylight hours so Friday means I can it more thoroughly. I asked them to put a new tyre on the rear and match it on the other side which they initially refused to, but now they've put 2 new tyres on - I'm always very sceptical of these things...Thanks for your advice all!