Returning used car within 30-days
Discussion
Hi all,
I purchased a Golf from a used dealership 3-weeks ago. I knew it was a Cat D, asked for photos/info and was told it had been scraped along the front driver side of the car resulting in a new bonnet, wing, bumper and drivers door, hence the write off. Photo to prove it, only looked to be minor damage as described. I offered a low price, accepted - win.
Since driving the car, I've noticed a few little issues (replacement door has different speaker to original set, seatbelt doesn't quite retract back, engine light came on (went back off before I could diagnose) etc.) - minor things I can live with and understand are part and parcel of buying a used car.
I was told it had part service history, none of which I have seen yet - dealer keeps fobbing me off saying he's getting it from the third-party and will send it over asap (this has been ongoing for 2 weeks).
However, the major issue was today whilst driving the passenger pillar cover fell off displaying a cut airbag which has been replaced with a bit of toilet roll... This has really annoyed me as I wasn't told any of the airbags had deployed and I was under the impression it was all cosmetic damage.
What rights do I have here? Should they by law have told me an airbag has deployed? I'm still within 30-days of purchase so wondering if I can simply return the car? Can anyone advise?
Cheers,
I purchased a Golf from a used dealership 3-weeks ago. I knew it was a Cat D, asked for photos/info and was told it had been scraped along the front driver side of the car resulting in a new bonnet, wing, bumper and drivers door, hence the write off. Photo to prove it, only looked to be minor damage as described. I offered a low price, accepted - win.
Since driving the car, I've noticed a few little issues (replacement door has different speaker to original set, seatbelt doesn't quite retract back, engine light came on (went back off before I could diagnose) etc.) - minor things I can live with and understand are part and parcel of buying a used car.
I was told it had part service history, none of which I have seen yet - dealer keeps fobbing me off saying he's getting it from the third-party and will send it over asap (this has been ongoing for 2 weeks).
However, the major issue was today whilst driving the passenger pillar cover fell off displaying a cut airbag which has been replaced with a bit of toilet roll... This has really annoyed me as I wasn't told any of the airbags had deployed and I was under the impression it was all cosmetic damage.
What rights do I have here? Should they by law have told me an airbag has deployed? I'm still within 30-days of purchase so wondering if I can simply return the car? Can anyone advise?
Cheers,
If it wasn't them who done the repair after the car being written off then I think they can be forgiven for not knowing everything if it wasn't disclosed to them pre part exchange.
Does the airbag light come on and go away when turning in the ignition? I would have thought there would be a permanent fault light on the dash if there wasn't continuity in the system by it having a missing airbag?
Obvious first port of call is going to be to speak to them directly and see what they're happy to do for you. Hopefully a refund if that's the way you're wanting it you go.
Does the airbag light come on and go away when turning in the ignition? I would have thought there would be a permanent fault light on the dash if there wasn't continuity in the system by it having a missing airbag?
Obvious first port of call is going to be to speak to them directly and see what they're happy to do for you. Hopefully a refund if that's the way you're wanting it you go.
Cheers jsims,
Not necessarily looking to get a refund, but not happy with the latest find. I realise it was a Cat D but I figured all safety features would still be there. I can appreciate he may not have realised it wasn't there, but said he was selling it on behalf of the mechanic next door so can assume he knows him fairly well. I was just eager to get some advice before speaking to him directly.
There's no light on the dash - no codes coming up (albeit on a cheap vag reader). I'm worried about other bags being missing now as well - is there any way to check..?
Not necessarily looking to get a refund, but not happy with the latest find. I realise it was a Cat D but I figured all safety features would still be there. I can appreciate he may not have realised it wasn't there, but said he was selling it on behalf of the mechanic next door so can assume he knows him fairly well. I was just eager to get some advice before speaking to him directly.
There's no light on the dash - no codes coming up (albeit on a cheap vag reader). I'm worried about other bags being missing now as well - is there any way to check..?
Yes.
But stop driving it now. Contact them (phone then in writing).
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the...
I'd return it faster than I could, sounds like a dangerous car. And there are many good cars out there to buy.
But stop driving it now. Contact them (phone then in writing).
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the...
I'd return it faster than I could, sounds like a dangerous car. And there are many good cars out there to buy.
Normally I’d probably take more of an “it’s damaged repaired, what do you expect” line, but in this case the issue is hidden and the airbag system has either been coded to switch off those airbag(s) which fired or has been bodged with resistors. If that wasn’t the case the airbag warning light would be on,
So it’s knowingly bodged, and if that’s what they’ve done with the airbag or airbags which deployed who knows what other corners have been cut. I’d be getting rid as fast as humanly possible. Given the airbag system has been bodged and it shouldn’t pass an MoT in it’s current condition hopefully you won’t have too much trouble.
So it’s knowingly bodged, and if that’s what they’ve done with the airbag or airbags which deployed who knows what other corners have been cut. I’d be getting rid as fast as humanly possible. Given the airbag system has been bodged and it shouldn’t pass an MoT in it’s current condition hopefully you won’t have too much trouble.
charltjr said:
Normally I’d probably take more of an “it’s damaged repaired, what do you expect” line, but in this case the issue is hidden and the airbag system has either been coded to switch off those airbag(s) which fired or has been bodged with resistors. If that wasn’t the case the airbag warning light would be on,
So it’s knowingly bodged, and if that’s what they’ve done with the airbag or airbags which deployed who knows what other corners have been cut. I’d be getting rid as fast as humanly possible. Given the airbag system has been bodged and it shouldn’t pass an MoT in it’s current condition hopefully you won’t have too much trouble.
It received a fresh 12-month MOT when I purchased it... Would that mean they've not checked, or they've knowingly ignored it? Not quite sure how to play it at the moment as I feel he may not know about it and fob me off with the whole 'it's damage repaired, you should have checked yourself'. So it’s knowingly bodged, and if that’s what they’ve done with the airbag or airbags which deployed who knows what other corners have been cut. I’d be getting rid as fast as humanly possible. Given the airbag system has been bodged and it shouldn’t pass an MoT in it’s current condition hopefully you won’t have too much trouble.
Will give him a call this afternoon and explain I want to return it. I'll update.
Thanks for the info folks ^^
Well if you didn't make any agreement of returning the car after 30 days then unfortunately you have no rights for it. Your example showed me how important it's to make a pre-purchase inspection. For example when I bought my BMW X5 I hired an independent mechanic from VINZ service. I know there are many scammers sell such dangerous cars.
As I remember from the CRA you can reject the car after 30 days if the dealer fails to fix the significant issue with the car. Within 30 days you are entitled to reject the car if the car came with a significant fault when you bought it and it came to light within 30 days.
It really depends on the dealer, most will want to try fix it, if they do not then you can reject it and they may kick up a fuss. You would then need to go through the courts.
As above though, finding that sort of stuff I would be handing it back immediately. Who knows what else has been bodged, your life and others in the car are just not worth it.
It really depends on the dealer, most will want to try fix it, if they do not then you can reject it and they may kick up a fuss. You would then need to go through the courts.
As above though, finding that sort of stuff I would be handing it back immediately. Who knows what else has been bodged, your life and others in the car are just not worth it.
You said there is no lights on the dash but does an airbag light come on when you turn the ignition on then go off or is there no airbag light showing at all?
My understanding of warning lights and MOT's are that if it stays on, it's a fail but no light at all wouldn't fail.
My understanding of warning lights and MOT's are that if it stays on, it's a fail but no light at all wouldn't fail.
Edited by eybic on Wednesday 18th April 12:02
Greys0n said:
Well if you didn't make any agreement of returning the car after 30 days then unfortunately you have no rights for it. Your example showed me how important it's to make a pre-purchase inspection. For example when I bought my BMW X5 I hired an independent mechanic from VINZ service. I know there are many scammers sell such dangerous cars.
Nonsenseeybic said:
You said there is no lights on the dash but does an airbag light come on when you turn the ignition on then go off or is there no airbag light showing at all?
My understanding of warning lights and MOT's are that if it stays on, it's a fail but no light at all wouldn't fail.
I've just tried, the light didn't come on at all with putting the key on and starting up - but after 5 attempts, it did. It seems to do it 1 in 10... That means the bulb hasn't been removed.. but not sure why that would be? My understanding of warning lights and MOT's are that if it stays on, it's a fail but no light at all wouldn't fail.
Edited by eybic on Wednesday 18th April 12:02
Any ideas? I'm writing an email to the dealership now to get everything down in writing then following it up with a call. Hopefully he'll accept fault and not be a pain.. but we'll see.
Definitely reject it.
What other bodges are on it if it has an airbag missing?
Maybe good idea to send letter recorded delivery as well as email and phone call.
Don't let him fob you off with "It's a private sale" if he's selling for a mate/colleague.
He sold it to you as a trader.
Good luck
What other bodges are on it if it has an airbag missing?
Maybe good idea to send letter recorded delivery as well as email and phone call.
Don't let him fob you off with "It's a private sale" if he's selling for a mate/colleague.
He sold it to you as a trader.
Good luck
Thanks all, appreciate the responses.
I've sent an email detailing the issue, called and spoken to the supervisor (the manager is off today...). They're unaware of the airbag being removed, so asked for photos of the issue.
I've sent photos asked for a date to return the car.
Will keep this updated.
I've sent an email detailing the issue, called and spoken to the supervisor (the manager is off today...). They're unaware of the airbag being removed, so asked for photos of the issue.
I've sent photos asked for a date to return the car.
Will keep this updated.
Thanks all, appreciate the responses.
I've sent an email detailing the issue, called and spoken to the supervisor (the manager is off today...). They're unaware of the airbag being removed, so asked for photos of the issue.
I've sent photos asked for a date to return the car.
Will keep this updated.
I've sent an email detailing the issue, called and spoken to the supervisor (the manager is off today...). They're unaware of the airbag being removed, so asked for photos of the issue.
I've sent photos asked for a date to return the car.
Will keep this updated.
Pre-purchase inspections are a set list of things that are checked, without knowing the details I am not sure if they would have picked up the airbag missing or if their warranty would have covered it. But certainly you still have rights under the CRA once 30 days expire, it covers you for up to six months.
Thanks all.
Just heard back from the manager. He's asked me to drop the car with them for 2-days for them to inspect it and come up with a solution.
Realistically I can only drop it off on Monday. The 30-days are up on Tuesday, so if I was to drop it off then, he could keep it until the 30-days are up.
Does anybody know if I'm still within the 30-days as I've made contact about the issue?
Just heard back from the manager. He's asked me to drop the car with them for 2-days for them to inspect it and come up with a solution.
Realistically I can only drop it off on Monday. The 30-days are up on Tuesday, so if I was to drop it off then, he could keep it until the 30-days are up.
Does anybody know if I'm still within the 30-days as I've made contact about the issue?
Hifty said:
Thanks all.
Just heard back from the manager. He's asked me to drop the car with them for 2-days for them to inspect it and come up with a solution.
Realistically I can only drop it off on Monday. The 30-days are up on Tuesday, so if I was to drop it off then, he could keep it until the 30-days are up.
Does anybody know if I'm still within the 30-days as I've made contact about the issue?
I'd say you certainly should be. Certainly as far as warranties go, as long as it's in before it expires then it's fine.Just heard back from the manager. He's asked me to drop the car with them for 2-days for them to inspect it and come up with a solution.
Realistically I can only drop it off on Monday. The 30-days are up on Tuesday, so if I was to drop it off then, he could keep it until the 30-days are up.
Does anybody know if I'm still within the 30-days as I've made contact about the issue?
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