Used car faulty!

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Discussion

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
Hi all. I bought a 2007 Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 from a guy who advertised on Gumtree and auto trader and have a company name, a company number etc and a website where they advertise their cars. They are ‘traders’. I took the car for a quick test drive and it seemed okay. I bought the car and paid via bank transfer directly into his account.

Later on that day the car showed a spanner on the HUD and lost all power and went into something called ‘limp home mode’. I turned the engine off and back on and it went away. This has happened two further times, once on the motorway. I’m pretty sure this fault has existed for some time, and also, it’s a common issue with these cars and the reasons why seem to endless.

Can anyone advise me if I have the same rights as if it were a dealer or does it fall under a private sale, in which case I can only imagine that I have no rights.

Thanks for your time.

Edited by PhilUK on Monday 14th May 00:15

jamoor

14,506 posts

215 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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how much did you pay

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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When did you buy it? That's the crucial part IMHO. 1 day ago then you might have recourse. 1 year ago then don't be silly.

If they are a proper business then (depending how long ago you bought it) you should contact them and see what they say. Have you done that?

Alucidnation

16,810 posts

170 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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coffee

valiant

10,178 posts

160 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
Have you actually phoned them up and explained the issue?

The Rookie

286 posts

197 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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PhilUK said:
Can anyone advise me if I have the same rights as if it were a dealer or does it fall under a private sale,
Seriously?

The rights from a dealer are because they are a trader, the same as the person you bought from, nothing special about an authorised dealer versus a non dealer, so yes you have the same rights.

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
Hi. It was £2500. It was bought 4 days ago.

I was thinking it should be covered under the consumer rights act, but I wasn’t sure if a trader is the same as a dealer.

The two main episodes happened last night in the evening so I couldn’t call really, but I will call them shortly.

It’s just so that I know what rights I have and what I can argue if they end up dispting it.

Dark Star

149 posts

190 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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At least speak with the seller first and give them the chance to sort any issues before going down the legal route and what rights you may or may not have.

DuraAce

4,240 posts

160 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
PhilUK said:
Hi. It was £2500. It was bought 4 days ago.

I was thinking it should be covered under the consumer rights act, but I wasn’t sure if a trader is the same as a dealer.

The two main episodes happened last night in the evening so I couldn’t call really, but I will call them shortly.

It’s just so that I know what rights I have and what I can argue if they end up dispting it.
Call them and explain.
Be polite.
Ask for their assistance.

You do have rights under the CRA HOWEVER you must bear in mind that some driveway/gumtree traders will not give a toss what the law says and getting money/recompense from them can be very difficult (if not impossible)

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
absolutely . I just wasn’t sure if it was even worth me going down that route. But I called them and talked to them and they’re going to try and fix it with a specialist garage. So hopefully it’ll all go well.

thanks.

Edited by PhilUK on Monday 14th May 10:20

Gavia

7,627 posts

91 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
PhilUK said:
Hi all. I bought a 2007 Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 from a guy who advertised on Gumtree and auto trader and have a company name, a company number etc and a website where they advertise their cars. They are ‘traders’. I took the car for a quick test drive and it seemed okay. I bought the car and paid via bank transfer directly into his account.

Later on that day the car showed a spanner on the HUD and lost all power and went into something called ‘limp home mode’. I turned the engine off and back on and it went away. This has happened two further times, once on the motorway. I’m pretty sure this fault has existed for some time, and also, it’s a common issue with these cars and the reasons why seem to endless.

Can anyone advise me if I have the same rights as if it were a dealer or does it fall under a private sale, in which case I can only imagine that I have no rights.

Thanks for your time.

Edited by PhilUK on Monday 14th May 00:15
Zafira’s had Head’s Up Display in 2007? Blimey I’m getting old, I thought it was fairly recent invention.

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
Haha! I meant dashboard.

They seem like reasonable people so hope it’ll get sorted. Fingers crossed.

keith9849

97 posts

145 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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No!!! If the car is crap REJECT IT by letter immediately. Don'y if or but, or negotiate money off, or a discount/exchange/repair. Write the letter, hand deliver or record it, and say give me the money back and take the car.

Of course it does help if you have proper technical advice confirming existence of he defect in writing before you let go of the car. Oh, and you can't just keep driving it around , because that is accepting it, and you lose your right to reject.

This is one circumstance where you shoot first and ask questions after.

Nickyboy

6,700 posts

234 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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Common Vauxhall fault, my Vectra did it, it was air flow meter related. The fact it resets means it's not a serious fault, likely a sensor or similar

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Monday 14th May 2018
quotequote all
Oh really? You’d be accelerating and it would just go into limp home mode? I’m hoping it’s just a minor thing.

mr mac i

267 posts

183 months

Monday 14th May 2018
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I hope it has had both recalls for the heating/ ventilation system carried out, if it needed them.

If not this could be the least of your worries......

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Tuesday 15th May 2018
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It doesn’t seem to be a problem. It’s working although the air con isn’t massively great anyway, same with my girlfriends Vauxhall. I think it’s just the quality of the vehicles.

If it’s a recall then I can get Vauxhall’s to do it for free can’t i?

Edit: I believe is for more modern ones anyway.

Edited by PhilUK on Tuesday 15th May 14:58

PhilUK

Original Poster:

261 posts

127 months

Tuesday 15th May 2018
quotequote all
It doesn’t seem to be a problem. It’s working although the air con isn’t massively great anyway, same with my girlfriends Vauxhall. I think it’s just the quality of the vehicles.

If it’s a recall then I can get Vauxhall’s to do it for free can’t i?

Edit: I believe it’s for more modern ones anyway.

Edited by PhilUK on Tuesday 15th May 14:59

andymc

7,348 posts

207 months

Tuesday 15th May 2018
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thats very strong money for a petrol Zafira

andymc

7,348 posts

207 months

Tuesday 15th May 2018
quotequote all
did you sign a PDI sheet upon collection