Used car - clutch issue
Discussion
Hi,
In a bit of a pickle and need some advice.
Bought a 2014 Kia Rio from a used car dealer last Thursday. The car itself is in really good condition, 58k miles on the clock and the spec that my partner wanted.
Unfortunately, in the 100 miles we have driven it, I have noticed the clutch begin to slip - revs higher going up a hill in third then drops, does the same in 4th/5th at motorway speeds too. This was confirmed by an acquaintance who is a mechanic. I did test drive the car but didn't notice this at the time.
Now I haven't phoned the dealer yet (plan on doing this today when they open), however I just need some advice on what to do/say.
I paid for the deposit on a credit card and understand that the CRA 2015 states that it should either be repaired or we can get a full refund. I got some quotes from whocanfixmycar and they range from £290-£400 for clutch replacement.
Does anyone know the likelihood of getting this repaired at dealers expense and how strong a case we have?
I don't know why but it's really stressing me out already - I've had a poor experience with car dealers in the past (which is why I always bought privately). If worse came to worse we'd probably just stump up the £300 ourselves and get it sorted.
In a bit of a pickle and need some advice.
Bought a 2014 Kia Rio from a used car dealer last Thursday. The car itself is in really good condition, 58k miles on the clock and the spec that my partner wanted.
Unfortunately, in the 100 miles we have driven it, I have noticed the clutch begin to slip - revs higher going up a hill in third then drops, does the same in 4th/5th at motorway speeds too. This was confirmed by an acquaintance who is a mechanic. I did test drive the car but didn't notice this at the time.
Now I haven't phoned the dealer yet (plan on doing this today when they open), however I just need some advice on what to do/say.
I paid for the deposit on a credit card and understand that the CRA 2015 states that it should either be repaired or we can get a full refund. I got some quotes from whocanfixmycar and they range from £290-£400 for clutch replacement.
Does anyone know the likelihood of getting this repaired at dealers expense and how strong a case we have?
I don't know why but it's really stressing me out already - I've had a poor experience with car dealers in the past (which is why I always bought privately). If worse came to worse we'd probably just stump up the £300 ourselves and get it sorted.
Edited by Knoxville2410 on Tuesday 21st June 08:15
Tricky. You can ruin a clutch in 5 miles, let alone 100.
But call and explain the clutch is slipping and you’d like it rectified.
A good dealer will say “bring it back to us” and we’ll have a look.
In terms of cost is unreasonable to buy a 58k car and expect it to have a new clutch, or a shagged one. In terms of costs, a fair deal imo would be to go halves on the cost of a replacement.
Until you’ve engaged, it’s hard to give you suggestions and second guess the dealer.
But call and explain the clutch is slipping and you’d like it rectified.
A good dealer will say “bring it back to us” and we’ll have a look.
In terms of cost is unreasonable to buy a 58k car and expect it to have a new clutch, or a shagged one. In terms of costs, a fair deal imo would be to go halves on the cost of a replacement.
Until you’ve engaged, it’s hard to give you suggestions and second guess the dealer.
Sorry to hear that.
Unfortunately a clutch is a very tricky one to prove. The reason is that it can be heavily affected by how the car is driven; it's quite possible to wear out a perfectly good clutch in 100 miles if it's being slipped massively, (as my mum found out on her Micra after I was practising my hill starts).
I'm not saying you or your wife have slipped the clutch, merely that it's tough to prove the car was unfit for purpose at the point of sale.
Additionally, you drove the car before purchase and accepted it, making it hard to show that the issue was present at time of purchase.
It's possible that if you took it to a garage to get the clutch changed, the mechanic may be able to offer an opinion on whether the condition of the clutch plate suggests it has worn out or been slipped.
Certainly don't drive the car any further if you're hoping to ask the dealer to help.
I think I'd probably ring the dealer and explain the issue, and ask them to contribute to the repair. However I probably wouldn't take it further than that, myself, just with the clutch being a wear item and subject to driving style.
Yes, see what the dealer says.
While a clutch is a wear item, if it's slipping after a few days and you haven't abused it, it was almost certainly bad when sold.
I have successfully had a clutch replaced in a cheap used car, going 50/50 with the dealer for it, but that was because I thought it seemed bad on the test drive, he thought it was fine, and I agreed with him in writing about getting it sorted if it gave up the ghost within the next month.
Tried adjusting it out, made a slight improvement, but it did die in short order, so replacement it was.
While a clutch is a wear item, if it's slipping after a few days and you haven't abused it, it was almost certainly bad when sold.
I have successfully had a clutch replaced in a cheap used car, going 50/50 with the dealer for it, but that was because I thought it seemed bad on the test drive, he thought it was fine, and I agreed with him in writing about getting it sorted if it gave up the ghost within the next month.
Tried adjusting it out, made a slight improvement, but it did die in short order, so replacement it was.
Thanks for the replies everyone, some really useful views.
The car hasn't been abused, although the clutch bite point is very low down so it has taken us both quite a while to get used to it with a bit of stalling. It's probably the most difficult car I've driven in over 15 years of driving and I've driven a lot!
I think I'd be happy with a 50-60% contribution on the cost of repair. It's good to understand what would be reasonable in this situation.
The car hasn't been abused, although the clutch bite point is very low down so it has taken us both quite a while to get used to it with a bit of stalling. It's probably the most difficult car I've driven in over 15 years of driving and I've driven a lot!
I think I'd be happy with a 50-60% contribution on the cost of repair. It's good to understand what would be reasonable in this situation.
Knoxville2410 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, some really useful views.
The car hasn't been abused, although the clutch bite point is very low down so it has taken us both quite a while to get used to it with a bit of stalling. It's probably the most difficult car I've driven in over 15 years of driving and I've driven a lot!
I think I'd be happy with a 50-60% contribution on the cost of repair. It's good to understand what would be reasonable in this situation.
it won't be £300 to repair. Maybe each.The car hasn't been abused, although the clutch bite point is very low down so it has taken us both quite a while to get used to it with a bit of stalling. It's probably the most difficult car I've driven in over 15 years of driving and I've driven a lot!
I think I'd be happy with a 50-60% contribution on the cost of repair. It's good to understand what would be reasonable in this situation.
Even if the dealer isn't willing to contribute, ask if they know someone who could do the clutch for them at your expense, they may well be able to get mates rates on a trade price, and all you're asking of them is for access to whoever they use for repairs rather than cutting into their margin.
You've had it less than a week and people are telling to to pay?
No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
Trevor555 said:
You've had it less than a week and people are telling to to pay?
No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
Sorry but if the biting point was low then you need to say something before buying it, bit late to go running back to the dealer afterwards and tell him it was knackered when sold.No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
wpa1975 said:
Trevor555 said:
You've had it less than a week and people are telling to to pay?
No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
Sorry but if the biting point was low then you need to say something before buying it, bit late to go running back to the dealer afterwards and tell him it was knackered when sold.No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
wpa - is it not reasonable to expect that a general member of the public wouldn't think anything of a lower bite point? If anything, I'd see that as a good thing, especially if the car drove okay initially?
wpa1975 said:
Trevor555 said:
You've had it less than a week and people are telling to to pay?
No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
Sorry but if the biting point was low then you need to say something before buying it, bit late to go running back to the dealer afterwards.No way.
Tell the dealer it slipped first time you drove up a hill, like you said.
If the dealer doesnt play ball, get a diagnosis from a proper garage, Vat registered at least.
Then tell them to rectify it.
If they dont, call citizens advice and follow their instructions.
With a decent "fault diagnosis" you could reject it. But that can take months if the garage dont play nice, and you cant use the car in that time.
Best to push them to repair it if the car is otherwise good.
Dont give in and pay, it was clearly knackered if the biting point was low, and its slipping within a few days.
Car dealers are.
As I said, get an "expert garage" to diagnose it.
Do you really think a judge would tell customer to suck it up?
Knoxville2410 said:
wpa - is it not reasonable to expect that a general member of the public wouldn't think anything of a lower bite point? If anything, I'd see that as a good thing, especially if the car drove okay initially?
Sorry to be harsh but enough car buying guides in the world to tell you how to test a clutch, as I said I doubt you will get anywhere they will class it is as wear and tear.I had a clutch failure on a car 2 days after collection, completely unexpected car drove fine on the test drive, even went to trading standards and got nowhere with the dealer.
wpa1975 said:
I had a clutch failure on a car 2 days after collection, completely unexpected car drove fine on the test drive, even went to trading standards and got nowhere with the dealer.
Why didn't you take it to court?Citizens advice would have advised it.
Trading standards are there to ensure dealers follow the rules/law, and can fine the dealers. But are not there to advise consumers so much. That's what citizens advice is for.
Trevor555 said:
wpa1975 said:
I had a clutch failure on a car 2 days after collection, completely unexpected car drove fine on the test drive, even went to trading standards and got nowhere with the dealer.
Why didn't you take it to court?Citizens advice would have advised it.
Trading standards are there to ensure dealers follow the rules/law, and can fine the dealers. But are not there to advise consumers so much. That's what citizens advice is for.
I'd ring the dealer first off, be polite and inform him that the clutch is slipping and that you are expecting him to put it right.
Taking it to another garage first makes you look guilty of breaking it or that you will be a push-over and he can brush you off easily.
Put the ball straight into the dealers court.
Taking it to another garage first makes you look guilty of breaking it or that you will be a push-over and he can brush you off easily.
Put the ball straight into the dealers court.
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
I'd ring the dealer first off, be polite and inform him that the clutch is slipping and that you are expecting him to put it right.
Taking it to another garage first makes you look guilty of breaking it or that you will be a push-over and he can brush you off easily.
Put the ball straight into the dealers court.
I'm going to take it to get checked out to ensure it definitely is slipping. I am not going to mention the visit to the dealer when I call them.Taking it to another garage first makes you look guilty of breaking it or that you will be a push-over and he can brush you off easily.
Put the ball straight into the dealers court.
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