Can I reject leased car?
Discussion
I'm after some advice on my situation with VWFS and a new car on a 2-year lease/hire agreement. I've had some conflicting information from AI tools so wanted to get some proper input.
The background:
Shortly after taking delivery, I found the passenger rear door couldn't be opened from the outside. I contacted Seat Driverline who arranged a garage appointment, but the earliest available was 3 months away. I was told nothing earlier was available within a reasonable distance and advised to raise a complaint with VWFS, which I did.
Around a week later, the brakes started feeling spongy, requiring noticeably more pressure to stop the car. This only happens after driving for a while. Driverline again told me to raise it with VWFS. I did, and requested an alternate vehicle given the 3-month wait. VWFS directed me to Cupra Customer Care, who said they couldn't offer a replacement.
On day 29, I sent VWFS an email formally rejecting the car under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 short-term right to reject.
Shortly after, I asked Driverline for a breakdown inspection as I was concerned about safety. The technician said he found no fault, though he acknowledged the brakes did feel spongy. He ran various tests, pumped the brakes for a while, and said to contact them again if the issue repeats. He also fixed the door during that visit.
My main concerns:
1 - I still don't know for certain whether there is a genuine brake issue
2 - Even if everything is currently fine, the prospect of waiting up to 3 months for any future repair is not acceptable for a brand new car
3 - The overall experience has left me wanting to exit the agreement entirely
My question:
Do I have a case to reject this car? I submitted the rejection on day 29 while both faults existed, but I'm now unsure of my position.
From what I've read, there seems to be some ambiguity around whether leased vehicles fall under the CRA, since I don't own the car outright. And if there genuinely is no brake fault, neither issue technically exists anymore. Has anyone navigated this successfully?
The background:
Shortly after taking delivery, I found the passenger rear door couldn't be opened from the outside. I contacted Seat Driverline who arranged a garage appointment, but the earliest available was 3 months away. I was told nothing earlier was available within a reasonable distance and advised to raise a complaint with VWFS, which I did.
Around a week later, the brakes started feeling spongy, requiring noticeably more pressure to stop the car. This only happens after driving for a while. Driverline again told me to raise it with VWFS. I did, and requested an alternate vehicle given the 3-month wait. VWFS directed me to Cupra Customer Care, who said they couldn't offer a replacement.
On day 29, I sent VWFS an email formally rejecting the car under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 short-term right to reject.
Shortly after, I asked Driverline for a breakdown inspection as I was concerned about safety. The technician said he found no fault, though he acknowledged the brakes did feel spongy. He ran various tests, pumped the brakes for a while, and said to contact them again if the issue repeats. He also fixed the door during that visit.
My main concerns:
1 - I still don't know for certain whether there is a genuine brake issue
2 - Even if everything is currently fine, the prospect of waiting up to 3 months for any future repair is not acceptable for a brand new car
3 - The overall experience has left me wanting to exit the agreement entirely
My question:
Do I have a case to reject this car? I submitted the rejection on day 29 while both faults existed, but I'm now unsure of my position.
From what I've read, there seems to be some ambiguity around whether leased vehicles fall under the CRA, since I don't own the car outright. And if there genuinely is no brake fault, neither issue technically exists anymore. Has anyone navigated this successfully?
Can't give any helpful advice but a three month wait to get a car booked in is ridiculous. I know someone that had an issue with their Cupra Born (a 'stalling' issue in an EV, quite the thing) and Seat took the car in a couple of times and did offer a hire car for a week. They never resolved the issue and in the end refunded around £700 of lease payments as compensation.
The Driverline breakdown guy found no fault with the brakes and fixed the door issue (so its no longer a fault either). I don't think you have ground to reject, since there is (now) no fault. Had he not fixed the door, there would have been grounds.
I too agree that 3 months to get booked into a main dealer is unacceptable - but its not in itself a ground to reject the car after purchase.
I too agree that 3 months to get booked into a main dealer is unacceptable - but its not in itself a ground to reject the car after purchase.
My buddy works at Audi main dealer (so, very similar setup). He says they will bend over backwards once a Google or Trustpilot review has been left. They have targets for review scores, so are very motivated to fix things.
As such, a scathing review, raising points about safety and roadworthiness might get you somewhere.
As such, a scathing review, raising points about safety and roadworthiness might get you somewhere.
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