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Original poster

Bought a car. Hate it. Can I get a refund?

68 replies

WackyRacesWoo · 04/11/2018 08:26

So upset. I bought a car yesterday, 18 months old from a dealer. Lots of issues but basically I discovered after driving all afternoon that I have made a huge mistake and I hate the car. Is there any way I can take it back and ask for my money back (less deposit) or is this not possible with used cars?

OP posts:

PattiStanger · 04/11/2018 08:32

Of course you can try asking the dealer but without knowing what the issues are no one can say what the likelihood of them agreeing is.

I'd have a conversation with them and see what they say

Pinkyyy · 04/11/2018 08:34

What are the issues? If there are faults with the car that were not made known when you bought it then absolutely, yes you can get a refund. But seeing as it has only been one day, I think your chances are good

Cosmos45 · 04/11/2018 08:35

What are the issues?

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Driving & parking

Tahani · 04/11/2018 08:36

Totally depends on the issues, don't like the colour, no. Brakes don't work then fine

My2favboys · 04/11/2018 08:39

would you not have the same 14 days to return/cooling-off period you would with any purchase?

3luckystars · 04/11/2018 08:41

You have a cooling of period with most things. Definitely do it today or tomorrow.

Have they other cars to sell?

What do you hate?

delilahbucket · 04/11/2018 08:41

Legally you cannot return it unless there are faults you weren't aware of. There is no cooling off period. That only applies to purchases online, off site i.e. in your home, or insurance products.

NerrSnerr · 04/11/2018 08:42

What are they issues? Are they faults or just things you don't like?

3luckystars · 04/11/2018 08:43

I have done this too. I came home and woke up in the night and burst out crying I hated it so much. It was no bother to back out of the sale the next day.

I just looked at like a big test drive and it didn't work out.

Original poster

WackyRacesWoo · 04/11/2018 08:44

Well, the main issue is that there isn’t a foot plate for the left foot (it’s an automatic) and I have plantar fasciitis. Within an hour of driving the car my foot was throbbing.
The other issue is that it is an ex-mobility car and it is really badly scuffed inside. The dealer said they could be cleaned off and when I went to view the car they hadn’t been. He said it had just had a quick clean and it would be valeted property before collection. I stupidly didn’t check when I went to pick it up yesterday. Had a look in daylight when I got home and it clearly hasn’t been cleaned at all. There are white dog hairs matted into the fabric of the rear parcel shelf.
His attitude changed as soon as we secured the deal. He had said he would get a mat for the boot and didn’t. When I questioned this his words were ‘I never promised’.
When I paid the deposit he wrote on the receipt that the car would be in excellent condition. I my view it isn’t.
The colour is orange which looked great in the showroom but looks mustard yellow in some light.
I am so gutted that I have made such a huge mistake

OP posts:

NotAllIndividuals · 04/11/2018 08:44

There is no cooling off period. Why do people think that?

Caveat emptor (buyer beware). I'm not even sure that if there is a fault you have any rights as presumably it was sold as seen being second hand. Check the paperwork you signed as the dealer might offer a return option but they don't have to. Sorry.

Pinkyyy · 04/11/2018 08:56

I'm sorry but none of these are issues that wouldn't have been noticed if you properly checked the car before leaving with it. You're going to have to put this one down to your own poor choice and sell it on

Original poster

WackyRacesWoo · 04/11/2018 09:00

Thank you. Looks like I am stuck with it

OP posts:

Pinkyyy · 04/11/2018 09:03

You're not stuck with it, list it on gumtree and auto trader and sell it on. Just be extra careful next time to check everything suits you

georgedawes · 04/11/2018 09:03

It's worth a call to ask. If they have another car you'd prefer they may well swap.

NoSquirrels · 04/11/2018 09:04

You can ask. But the dealer doesn’t sound much like he’ll agree.

Witchesbritches · 04/11/2018 09:07

Don’t be so defeatist. Go and talk to them. I hate to say this, but it’s unfortunately true, it’ll work out better if you take a bloke with you.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 04/11/2018 09:10

Speak to Trading Standards tomorrow OP just to get a view on your rights.

If you actually have a friend who works in Trading Standards, this is a very useful thing to have. Also a ready response of the Sale of Goods Act - and that a satisfied customer may tell 10 people... a dissatisfied one tells potentially thousands...

Don't keep the car, you'll always hate it and kick yourself. Go back to the dealer. I'd go today - lots of people on a car plot at the weekend. Take a friend for courage and be definite in what you want the dealer to do.

Caveat emptor is what dodgy 'flash in the pan' sellers use - somebody who wants repeat business doesn't employ this.

Original poster

WackyRacesWoo · 04/11/2018 09:10

My husband is going to go in tomorrow. We rang as soon as we got home to say we weren’t happy.
We live in a village. Turns out my son went to school with his daughter and we have loads of mutual friends. He made so many promises and I thought I could trust him. I can’t believe I have been so stupid.

OP posts:

CaptSkippy · 04/11/2018 09:10

I'd say clean it up and sell it and buy a car you actually like. Not having a foot plate may not be an issue for someone else. Not sure what you can do about the scuff marks though. Leave the dealer a bad review online.

PiperPublickOccurrences · 04/11/2018 09:10

How did you pay for it? If you used a finance agreement, you may have a cooling off period.

Even if you don't, it's worth asking. Although they'd be within their rights to refuse, or offer you another car rather than your money back.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 04/11/2018 09:12

What Witchesbritches says is true - are all, we girlies can't fathom big, powerful motors...

If he can mention trading standards in passing, so much the better.

Tahani · 04/11/2018 09:13

Clean it
Put in a footplate
Get a new mat

These are not big things, they seem to be cosmetic

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/11/2018 09:15

You can get it valeted to get rid of the dog hair (though its an expense if they said they'd do it , you might just need to cover that yourself)

The footplate - can you get one fitted ? I had an automatic years ago and I never used the footplate (I think my foot just hovered )

And the colour...... you don't notice the colour when you're in the car, and it will make it so much easier to find in a car park amongst the sea of silver and grey cars

Dollymixture22 · 04/11/2018 09:15

The scuffs and dirt are minor issues which you could pay to have resolved. The big issue is it’s unsuitable for you and uncomfortable to drive,

That’s not the dealers fault, but he might be reasonable and allow you to trade/swap it for something else.

Decide what exactly you want from the dealer before you go in to see him,

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