new car trouble - what are my rights

[theAntsareMyFriends]

I've had a bit of bad luck with cars. My last thread on here was about my car going up in a puff of smoke on holiday in France!

I bought my last car second hand and it never seemed quite right until its ultimate very inconvenient and costly demise last summer so I said 'never again' and this time bought new. I put up with a 6 month wait and higher cost so I would get a warranty and avoid the issues of last time.

I got my car in Feb and its back in the garage! So after less than 6 month with low usage and one careful owner they think the clutch has worn out. It can't be my fault as I'm very careful and even if I wasn't the best driver - 6 months!

I've been told that if it is the clutch I will have to pay £600 and it probably won't be ready for 2 weeks. So I'm facing the start of the summer holidays with a hire car that doesn't fit the whole family it (apparently the warranty doesn't cover like for like so no 7-seater) and may end up not having a car for my 2 week family camping holiday.

I really don't want to pay more towards a new car and just want a car to get around. I'm just so cross. Maybe I should give up and get a horse and cart as it would probably be more reliable. If I could I'd get my money back I would and I'd buy a second hand again as even if I had the same level of hassle at least it would be cheaper.

This thread is partly a rant and partly just wondering if anyone had any clever suggestions about what I could do?

P.S. I'm not going to name the car as I want to avoid the thread turning into a discussion about if its a good car or not 😉

Wear and tear. How many miles and how old is the car?

That should be covered under warranty unless they can prove you've been riding the clutch.
Plus 2 week? It takes a day to fit a clutch.
Maybe just take it elsewhere
If its warranty you can normally take it to any VAT registered garage /mechanic.

We cover all warranty work. We price it. And we deal with the warranty company who then cover the cost / majority of cost depending on the job

@nasanas less than 6 month old and under 500 miles total.

@NeedToBookAGetaway that's very helpful, thank you. It went back to the garage we got it from as I thought it would have to so if they can't sort it I'll try calling somewhere else.

If the clutch has gone on a relatively new car, my guess who's be definitely French? I'm sorry I couldn't resist, ha ha.

Just like to exclude new MG before h buys one

@toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 yes!

@Mammajay no!

Stop guessing 😁

Sorry that wasn't really helpful was it! However I work at a small independent garage selling everything £2000 to £60,000 and the most clutch issues we have are Peugeot usually. However I don't see how they can say wear and tear after 500 miles! Is it on finance? If so that would be helpful for you as you have even more backing there. You could get in touch with the finance company and explain what's happening? They may get involved on your behalf. I think knowing your rights is your best bet here.

Sorry OP, do you mean less than 5000 miles?

If you've had a car for six months and only done 500 miles then you don't need a car and any car you own will just have constant problems. Cars need to be driven, a car that sits around will just be an unreliable money pit.

Before I dazzle you with my wisdom, could you confirm the mileage over six months, is it 500 or 5000?

You have had the car for 5 months, it's only done 500 miles but you bought it second hand?

No wait, this was a new car?

I'm confused.

If it's a new car and the clutch has gone after less than 500 miles you should not be paying to fix it

Its had 1 owner....so im thinking the OP has had it 6 months and done 500 miles!

@toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 not on finance sadly.

@onefinemess I did mean 500 but its probably done more but not by much - maybe more like 1000 miles. This is very much a second car and used for family days out when all 6 of us are going (every other weekend or so), trips to the relatives, when DP can't get back in time to take the kids to clubs and family holidays but it will get a lot more use when I'm back at work (currently on mat leave). Although it doesn't get driven a lot it gets used every week and a mixture of short and longer journeys.

@Ilikewinter correct - I am the 1 owner. I probably made that more confusing than it needed to be in my OP.

I can’t understand how they’re saying you should pay for a worn out clutch that’s had less than 6 months use and only 500 miles. That’s only 100 miles per month. Surely the manufacturer warranty should cover everything at least in the first year.

We had a problem with the DSG gearbox on a car, which was less than a year old. It was fixed under warranty and we had a courtesy car.

Is it a Renault?
Is it the Arkana by any chance?

@Bluevelvetsofa exactly! I'm not sure anyone could be bad enough at driving to wear a clutch out in 500 miles and I'm really not riding the clutch at all although I can't prove that. I do have a courtesy car but only a 5 seater so not overly helpful.

The garage have just got back to me and have told me they will not even be able to look at it until Wednesday and then will let me know what the problem is. They have had 10 days already and only could start looking at it today. Apparently they are very busy.

When you say garage, do you mean the dealer where you bought it?

Has it gone to a manufacturer main dealer?

@tanstaafl yes. That's where it got taken to.

I had a problem with a used car purchase Op, and found the Motor Ombudsman website quite helpful explaining your rights.

https://www.themotorombudsman.org/consumers/make-a-complaint

I don't understand how they could seriously suggest a clutch that has failed after 500 miles from new comes under wear and tear. I know that with a used car any fault within 6 months is assumed to have been there at the time of purchase, but I'm not sure if the same applies to new cars - one would assume so?

OP, you need to get rid of that car. That little mileage is going to cause serious damage to the engine and gearbox.

Do you know anything about cars?

Your engine WILL fail very soon due to moisture contamination of the oil, also the GPF will fail as you don't do enough mileage for it do a regeneration.

Your previous car troubles are probably related to lack of use.

None of which will be covered under warranty.

Cars have moving parts and rubber seals which MUST be kept lubricated, in the main this is done through use. Your car isn't being used so those parts are not being lubricated.

If you keep that car it will cost you a fortune in repairs.

Yes a car needs more use. My parents only do 10 miles a week approx. Then longer maybe every 6 weeks.
Thankfully theirs has been ok.

However your car you say is brand new less than 1000 miles..
As i said before. Take it to a different garage that deals with warranty work doesn't have to be where you purchased. It takes practically no time for a mechanic to suss out the problem if it is the clutch.
They dont want ti do the work as often warranty companies don't pay what they want.
Dh does loads of warranty work and its surprisinglm how many practically new cars he does, cars less than 18m old.

We have 1 new car and 1 old banger. Reluctant to get rid of old one ( 18 years) as i can honestly say its only ever had to have a water pump done. And things like tyre obviously.
New car had gear box issue within 5 months. Oil leak and egr valve stuck few weeks later.