To be hacked off with our car and wondering about my rights?

[MrsLouisTomlinson]

DH and I bought a new (to us) car in July spending about 7k on it. Car was 6 years old but very low mileage of around 30k. The garage (big national chain) tried to sell us an extended 12 month warranty but we just accepted the free 3 months. Within 2 weeks of having the car an engine warning light came on and it went back to the garage for fixing. About a month later the same warning light comes on and back it goes to the garage and this time they say they have replaced the part. Today the light is back on along with two other lights and as previously has happened the engine has lost all power (although you can still drive the car) and we've parked it up ready to take to the garage on Monday.

So you can guess where I'm going with this. We have had the car almost 3 months, up until now all of these repairs have been covered under the warranty, come 2 weeks time the warranty expires. I'm worried that the same fault is going to keep happening and it's going to cost us a fortune when clearly right from the beginning something hasn't been right.

Can anyone advise?

Can you take it to another garage for them to look at it?

I would possibly contact citizens advice if you have more trouble with this. Also make sure you keep a diary and all your paperwork from the previous visits to the garage.

I could take it to another garage but as I suspect he'll have to plug it into a machine it'll cost. It's so annoying😡

I'd get this moved to legal op for more advice.

From all the issues it sounds like the car was faulty all along. I'd contact cab as well.

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-second-hand--car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights

I suggest you speak to the manager of the garage and ask for your money back. Was the car described as being in excellent condition, good working order or similar in the advert or when you went to look at it? If so, they are in breach of contract and haven't a leg to stand on.

If not, and they reject your request for a refund, considering the low mileage I think you'd have a strong case at the small claims court. It costs consumers very little to make a claim, but costs companies thousands in legal fees to defend them as they will have to engage their legal department. Stop using the car and write a dated and signed letter to head office describing the problem (plus repair attempts) and saying you'll make a claim under the Consumer Rights Act if they don't give you your money back. Send recorded first class and include in the letter a date by which you expect a response. If they call you, get them to confirm your understanding of what they say they will do (they will record the conversation which will be useful for you) and keep a written note of what they say in case they try to backtrack on any commitments.

I know this is a pain, but you have rights to protect you in this situation that have nothing to do with the warranty!

Good luck!

Low mileage is no longer a good thing (especially diesel). Modern cars need to be driven (and more than just pootling to local shops). I wouldn't touch something that had done less than 10 miles a day with a barge pole.

Read up on your rights here - nothing to do with the warranty - and reject the car. Take someone who knows about cars when you look for the next one.

When I've had similar, due to the fault being raised within the warranty, I've had it fixed. Most warranties are with the rac or aa, and the garage will add them on as an extra.

Double check who the warranty is with and call them, missing out the car dealership. You maybe to take it too another garage and get it sorted.

Can I ask what car it is? I'm presuming it's the EML coming on as the car goes into limp mode? What repairs have been carried out? Or are they just plugging in, clearing the codes and returning?

It's a Seat Ibiza 2.0L diesel. I'm not totally sure what they did on the first occasion but they told DH they replaced the EGR valve (?) last time.

Oh dear.

blog.greenflag.com/2014/diesel-drivers-need-know-dpf/

That's not the light that is coming on. The garage told us about that and we ensure the car goes on decent run outs regularly.

It's not fit for purpose and I'd be wanting a full refund!