Car broke on the day it was purchased...where do we stand?

[ThisRareOtter]

We bought a second hand car from a dealership. We didn't buy the extended warranty, as it was over £1000 and we just don't have that spare.
On the drive home, the engine warning light came up on the dashboard. The car seems to be driving fine so as we live 2 hours away from the dealership, we carried on driving home. We called them when we got home and they've told us to get diagnostic testing done locally and send them the report and we'll go from there. I'm keen to know where we stand with this legally. Does anyone have an insight?

Is there any mention of a standard warranty on the paperwork?

https://www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307

You have some protection because you bought from a dealer

The guy said there was a basic 90 day warranty included, so I need to dig that out tonight and see what it includes

You've a 30/90 day window to get it fixed as pp above - the diags report from an independent garage shouldn't be more than £50 & the dealer seems to be on board with getting it fixed, they should pay for this too.

the engine warning light came up on the dashboard
That could mean something serious or just dodgy electrics.

Is it a French car?

It's a VW

Was the engine warning light orange or red?

If it’s a VW dealership, it should be ok OP. They’re generally reliable and ok to deal with ime anyway. Good luck.

Orange

Sadly not, just a regular second hand car dealership

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/advice/car-buying-advice/how-to-reject-a-car-consumer-rights-act-2015/

You have the right to reject the car and receive a full refund.

https://www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307 www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307]]]]

Is the car due a service? Sometimes the check engine light comes on when your car is due a service.

this is gutting OP I hope it’s nothing serious and hasn’t ruined your new car day x

I was about to say similar. I would reject it. You bought it from a car garage so you can do this….
www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307

That you bought it from a dealer means you have some protection.
Get it checked locally.

From the link upthread:"If you’ve bought a new or secondhand car from a car dealer and it develops a serious fault within the first 30 days you’re legally entitled to hand it back and get a full refund. "

(I was hoping you'd say French as I've been driving for years with an intermittent red warning light, but the garage sees no problem)

We've been through rejecting a car twice in the last 12 months. Car dealers aren't great at acknowledging your rights and will try to bamboozle you, if they can. If you purchased on finance, the finance company are actually the ones who have to reject the car, but they are used to the process and we're really helpful for us.

You don't have to reject the car, but you are entitled to.

Engine lights come on for absolutely everything from minor things to major ( they tend to be red light)
a lot of the time it’s a faulty sensor

I wouldn’t be paying for a diagnostic check locally - surely the garage have a responsibility here?

Lack of warranty is irrelevant. You are protected under the consumer rights act, which states the car should be fit for purpose. If a fault develops you are entitled to reject the car and demand a full refund within 30 days.

Or you could let the garage try and fix it if you prefer.

Either way it’s your responsibility to return the car to the garage for the refund/repair. You were the one who chose to buy a car two hours away.