Bought vehicle - engine knocking - Right to reject?
Discussion
Hi all,
Bought a vehicle, collected 19th November 2025, from an independent used car dealer 20 miles from home. Car came with a 3 month warranty through a 3rd party.
Noticed a rattling sound 13th December 2025, took the vehicle immediately to local trusted garage for a quick listen and to book it in for repair - suspected aux belt tensioner. Booked in for 17th December.
Vehicle was with the local garage 17th and 18th December, where they've found the engine is knocking - standing next to the sump with the vehicle running on a ramp it is clear the noise is internal.
Emailed the supplying dealer immediately (18th December) following the Which? template to state my intention to reject the car. Also attempted to ring them but no answer (10 mins before closing time).
Sent a paper copy via special delivery 19th December, which has arrived this morning (20th December) with proof of postage & delivery.
Also rang the garage who after a bit of back and forth have requested to see the vehicle on Monday 22nd December, with them collecting the vehicle from home.
I do not want them to attempt a repair and hand it back to me; I have made this clear each time I have spoken to them. I am wary of a sub-par repair being done on an already compromised engine.
They have not replied to any emails and seem reluctant to put anything in writing. I have been making a note of every interaction and also emailing them a summary of any phone calls that have taken place.
Is there anything else I should be doing to smooth along the process of getting my money back? I am concerned with the closeness to the 30 day right to return window - and the lateness of all the emails they are trying to kick it along beyond the 30 days and plead ignorance to receiving any emails.
Bought a vehicle, collected 19th November 2025, from an independent used car dealer 20 miles from home. Car came with a 3 month warranty through a 3rd party.
Noticed a rattling sound 13th December 2025, took the vehicle immediately to local trusted garage for a quick listen and to book it in for repair - suspected aux belt tensioner. Booked in for 17th December.
Vehicle was with the local garage 17th and 18th December, where they've found the engine is knocking - standing next to the sump with the vehicle running on a ramp it is clear the noise is internal.
Emailed the supplying dealer immediately (18th December) following the Which? template to state my intention to reject the car. Also attempted to ring them but no answer (10 mins before closing time).
Sent a paper copy via special delivery 19th December, which has arrived this morning (20th December) with proof of postage & delivery.
Also rang the garage who after a bit of back and forth have requested to see the vehicle on Monday 22nd December, with them collecting the vehicle from home.
I do not want them to attempt a repair and hand it back to me; I have made this clear each time I have spoken to them. I am wary of a sub-par repair being done on an already compromised engine.
They have not replied to any emails and seem reluctant to put anything in writing. I have been making a note of every interaction and also emailing them a summary of any phone calls that have taken place.
Is there anything else I should be doing to smooth along the process of getting my money back? I am concerned with the closeness to the 30 day right to return window - and the lateness of all the emails they are trying to kick it along beyond the 30 days and plead ignorance to receiving any emails.
Edited by Pugly on Saturday 20th December 13:24
Pugly said:
Hi all,
Bought a vehicle, collected 19th November 2025, from an independent used car dealer 20 miles from home. Car came with a 3 month warranty through a 3rd party.
Noticed a rattling sound 13th December 2025, took the vehicle immediately to local trusted garage for a quick listen and to book it in for repair - suspected aux belt tensioner. Booked in for 17th December.
Vehicle was with the local garage 17th and 18th December, where they've found the engine is knocking - standing next to the sump with the vehicle running on a ramp it is clear the noise is internal.
Emailed the supplying dealer immediately (18th December) following the Which? template to state my intention to reject the car. Also attempted to ring them but no answer (10 mins before closing time).
Sent a paper copy via special delivery 19th December, which has arrived this morning (20th December) with proof of postage & delivery.
Also rang the garage who after a bit of back and forth have requested to see the vehicle on Monday 22nd December, with them collecting the vehicle from home.
I do not want them to attempt a repair and hand it back to me; I have made this clear each time I have spoken to them. I am wary of a sub-par repair being done on an already compromised engine.
They have not replied to any emails and seem reluctant to put anything in writing. I have been making a note of every interaction and also emailing them a summary of any phone calls that have taken place.
Is there anything else I should be doing to smooth along the process of getting my money back? I am concerned with the closeness to the 30 day right to return window - and the lateness of all the emails they are trying to kick it along beyond the 30 days and plead ignorance to receiving any emails.
Someone will be along shortly.Bought a vehicle, collected 19th November 2025, from an independent used car dealer 20 miles from home. Car came with a 3 month warranty through a 3rd party.
Noticed a rattling sound 13th December 2025, took the vehicle immediately to local trusted garage for a quick listen and to book it in for repair - suspected aux belt tensioner. Booked in for 17th December.
Vehicle was with the local garage 17th and 18th December, where they've found the engine is knocking - standing next to the sump with the vehicle running on a ramp it is clear the noise is internal.
Emailed the supplying dealer immediately (18th December) following the Which? template to state my intention to reject the car. Also attempted to ring them but no answer (10 mins before closing time).
Sent a paper copy via special delivery 19th December, which has arrived this morning (20th December) with proof of postage & delivery.
Also rang the garage who after a bit of back and forth have requested to see the vehicle on Monday 22nd December, with them collecting the vehicle from home.
I do not want them to attempt a repair and hand it back to me; I have made this clear each time I have spoken to them. I am wary of a sub-par repair being done on an already compromised engine.
They have not replied to any emails and seem reluctant to put anything in writing. I have been making a note of every interaction and also emailing them a summary of any phone calls that have taken place.
Is there anything else I should be doing to smooth along the process of getting my money back? I am concerned with the closeness to the 30 day right to return window - and the lateness of all the emails they are trying to kick it along beyond the 30 days and plead ignorance to receiving any emails.
Edited by Pugly on Saturday 20th December 13:24
Sorry to hear that.
Great that you've emailed them on day 29 informing them of the fault.
Let them have a look on the 22nd, and go from there.
Forget any talk about the warranty they gave you, they have limits etc, your problem is covered by the CRA.
Hopefully the garage will just refund you as requested, otherwise it can take time to enforce your rights (whilst not being able to use the car)
Update us on the 22nd.
Great that you've emailed them on day 29 informing them of the fault.
Let them have a look on the 22nd, and go from there.
Forget any talk about the warranty they gave you, they have limits etc, your problem is covered by the CRA.
Hopefully the garage will just refund you as requested, otherwise it can take time to enforce your rights (whilst not being able to use the car)
Update us on the 22nd.
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