Short version: Bought a car in october, ongoing problems which they've tried repeatedly to fix but still not resolved. It's going on too long, we've asked for a refund and they're saying they aren't obliged to give one, despite the fact the car is still faulty. Need to know our rights before I ring again, please advise if you can, none of the helplines are open til tomorrow :(
Long version:We bought a second hand car in October, the dealer said it was fine apart from that the engine light was on due to a faulty sensor which he was about to replace.
He didn't get round to it by the time we got back to collect it but he promised to do it the following friday. We took it in friday, they "fixed" it but the light came on again within an hour or two of using it. So we took it in again, and again, and again, four times in total, each time they "fixed" it but the light would come on again shortly after we dove it home.
(There was also a grinding noise from the brakes, and a squeaking noise from the suspension. These appear to have been fixed but also one of the back doors won't open/lock properly - it's just a lot to go wrong within the first month of having the car)
We don't live near this dealer and every time they try to fix the engine light issue they need it for the whole day so it means my partner having the day off work and spending the entire day in the nearest town twiddling his thumbs as it would take too long and cost too much in taxi/bus fare to get home. He's done this four times, hasn't got many holiday hours left to take, and frankly it's very inconvenient. They've even had it overnight once and still the engine light is on.
They say they've now replaced all the sensors and now it's considered an "intermittent fault" and we shouldn't worry about it. Surely if they've replaced all the sensors and the check engine light is still on it's because there's something wrong with the engine? How can a fault be intermittent anyway?
(Bless you if you've read this far, sorry it's a long one!)
Anyway so we've finally got fed up, and said we're not happy. The guy initially said in a warning tone "well really the next step would be a refund!" to which we said "yes, please" and he said he'd have to speak to his boss to see if this was a possibility. We've rung him back today and he's said he isn't legally obliged to give us a refund, and is now saying the car is a part exchange sold to clear with no warranty. There was no mention of it being a part x vehicle when we bought it, and we both heard him say there was a warranty on it.
He said to check our invoice but all we have a deposit slip saying we had paid in full and owed nil - is this effective as an invoice? there's no mention on there of part x, or on the advert on autotrader which thankfully we still have.
Advice would be really appreciated as we can't call trading standards on anything til tomorrow.
Are we entitled to a refund? Thanks.
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PLEASE HELP, being diddled by a used car dealer! Need advice.
22 replies
JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 04/12/2011 12:27
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