Late delivery of new car

[Jez64]

My brother ordered a new car in early March, paying a £500 deposit, and was given a 12 week delivery date.

Since then the build date has been delayed twice, the dealer quoting high demand.
They're now saying it will be built week 30 with delivery 3 weeks later.

He is now getting a bit fed up and wanting to cancel, but the dealer is saying he will lose
his deposit.

Can he cancel, due to late delivery, whilst not losing his deposit?

The dealer says they're not bothered because they will be able to sell the car on and keep
his £500.

Is this right?

[T0M]

I think a delivery date for a new vehicle is in no way a promise, more of an approximation. There is a window that the car has to be supplied in before it can be cancelled. (Could be a month after the date) It's probably different for each manufacturer.

I would have thought it stipulates this on the order form he should have had that states the delivery date

Edited by T0M on Wednesday 9th June 15:02

[J500ANT]

Please dont tell me it's an Astra.......

[Targarama]

VW with a TFSI engine?

[Jez64]

Skoda Yeti with panoramic roof, it's the roof that is causing the delay.

[Dupont666]

hes happy waiting over 1/2 a year for one of these?



In fact its 0.63 of a year... not sure which is more crazy??

[Jez64]

Dupont666 said:

hes happy waiting over 1/2 a year for one of these?



In fact its 0.63 of a year... not sure which is more crazy??

Not any more!

[Deva Link]

Did he write "timely delivery is the essence of the contract" on the order?

I would imagine not, and they probably wouldn't accept his order if he did, so he's a bit stuffed.

Someone posted recently that when they worked in a dealership, legal advice was that they could never keep the deposit, but I can't recall hearing that before.

Does any other country wait for cars like we do? In the US, you drive in in your old car and drive out in a new one an hour or two later.

[Eddh]

Buying one in the first place is bad enough

[J500ANT]

I understand that VAG make cars in batches, so if you want a Golf with a sunroof you'll need to wait for X number of others to be ordered. Not brilliant really.

[Zippee]

Dupont666 said:

hes happy waiting over 1/2 a year for one of these?



In fact its 0.63 of a year... not sure which is more crazy??

They're actually bloody good cars, certainly one of the best in class.
That said not sure I'd want to wait that long though!

[J500ANT]

When is build week 30?

[Jez64]

J500ANT said:

When is build week 30?

3rd week July, with delivery 3 weeks later.

[10JH]

It's a good car the Yeti.

Is this in anyway a breach of contract?

Could you not ask for some sweeteners if he is prepared to wait. Free mats, car tax etc...?

[sjc]

Eddh said:

Buying one in the first place is bad enough

Very constructive. How was your 316i?

[Jez64]

10JH said:

It's a good car the Yeti.

Is this in anyway a breach of contract?

Could you not ask for some sweeteners if he is prepared to wait. Free mats, car tax etc...?

I've told him to push for some sweeteners.

[Eddh]

sjc said:

Eddh said:

Buying one in the first place is bad enough

Very constructive. How was your 316i?

Slow and boring, still not a bad car to run along side a CRX Turbo and a VFR400.