Stepson and duff car, returned but can't get his money back.

[purpledalmation]

Also posted in legal.😊

Silly stepson bought a car online which turned out to be a pile of junk. He had 14 days to return it which he did (on a flatbed truck at his own expense) within 7 days. He paid £1000 in cash when delivered and has a finance deal for £2.5K.

The dealer has some dire reviews on trustpilot, although good reviews on Google reviews (??) which is all DSS saw.

The finance company Zuta are saying there was no 14 day refund and he must start paying the finance.

The dealer is saying he will fix the car and return. DSS has said he won't accept it.

DSS tried to fill in the online trading standards form but it won't accept it so he needs to phone them.

He will email the dealer asking to refund the money back into his bank account. Then he will do a letter before action.

He did call the CAB and got some information but is finding it all a bit overwhelming and needs a timeline to follow. He had ADHD so not the best with this type of thing.

You could try sending a tweet to Zuto and ask who you need to contact to help with your short term right to reject. Their Twitter is @Zuto.

The fact the garage has offered to repair the car shows that their was something wrong with it so your step son should be fine.

I’m just playing devil’s advocate of course, but being in the right is not always the least stressful course of action. If the garage are going to service it, replace the clutch and sort the ignition barrel out I might be tempted to accept that and chalk it up to experience. There are plenty of people who are in the right, have sued garages, got a high court writ, sent in the bailiffs and still not recovered a penny.

I work in car finance. 14 day cooling off period isn't you can change your mind and get your money back its 14 days to withdraw from the finance, still needs to be paid either by you or the dealer. The contract with the finance is separate to the one with the dealer.

You need to request a return of advance from the dealer, dealer needs to send funds back to finance company. The dealer doesn't have to agree to this - but if they have the car they should.

As car is on finace you have rights with the quality of the vehicle. If dealer is refusing to pay back advance you need to contact finance company and raise a dispute, explain never took delivery of the car due to issues. They might then contact dealer directly.

Thank you. I'll be putting these emails together and looking to take it higher for DSS. ❤️

UPDATE. Well after the emails being sent this morning, the dealer has done a complete 360 and phoned DSS and said he would refund the £1000 via a cheque which may take 14 days to clear, and he will return the money to the finance company and unwind the agreement.

Yes DSS is out the cost of delivery and returning the vehicle, but for £300 he has a car from his dad, an old but reliable BMW, and his money back. He owes me £500, hence I was prepared to do the leg work, but it all looks good !

Well that's quite the result!

That just shows that the dealer knows they were in the wrong.

He could try and get the cost of the car being returned. He wasn't responsible for paying it and the dealer will know that. It's very clear in the legislation.

Is it weird that the dealer is returning the money by cheque. Did your son ask for a bank transfer?

I'd send a quick email in the morning confirming the fact the dealer has agreed to repay the money. Just in case he is stringing your son along. Maybe I'm being too cynical