Is the car dealer in the wrong here?

[StripyZebraa]

I was looking to finance a car, and found a perfect one and agreed on this on Saturday. I had a bit of a panic that I may have went in too fast, but it was absolutely perfect and it had everything I wanted. So I paid the deposit on Sunday.

I’m young and I don’t have the most flashy job in the world, so my budget was fairly small £150/160 a month. This one was £170 but newer and less miles than i thought, plus it had everything I wanted so I went for it.

I went to an official car dealer this time as I’ve had issues with other garages in the past, and thought these would be more ‘expert’.

On Sunday I made absolutely sure that it had all the features I wanted. I asked the man specifically if it has cruise control, he said yes. He then said he’d go and check, and came back and said ‘yes definitely’. This was part of the reason I went ahead.

Picked up the car yesterday. Find out very quickly that it doesn’t have cruise control - it has something that looks like it, but is in fact a speed limiter.
Something maybe I would mistake for cruise control - but you’d think the expert who works in the official dealership would know this.

I can’t help but feel like I’m paying above my budget for this car, and yet it doesn’t have all the features I want AND asked specifically for.

My dad has told me to go in and complain. Part of me thinks I should - I based my decision on this and I specifically asked for it. I cannot afford to be paying this much money a month on something that didn’t even meet my requirements.

What could I do here? What are my rights?

Did you check yourself if it was that important or get it in writing?

I didn’t think I’d need to get it in writing? It’s just a small feature - I thought it would be pretty clear to the dealer if it did or didn’t

Where do you drive that cruise control is so important? I've been motorway driving extensively for 20 years, approx 150k miles a year on average and never felt the need to use cruise control (and the state of the UK motorways most of the time it wouldn't even be feasible!)

But if it was that crucial to you then I think you needed to. Not sure you'll have any rights unless you can prove what was said.

Agree. I have it and have never felt the need to use it, do a lot of motorway driving.

Buying a car get everything in writing.

I’m not really asking whether cruise control is useful.
I’m just asking that, if they specifically said the car had something, and in fact it doesn’t - if I have any rights.
im only 21, it’s my second car and I’m not overly clued up on getting things in writing etc

I think that you're unsure about the deal anyway - perhaps it's the financial commitment that bothers you. I'd research what your legal rights are to return it and get it sorted ASAP. Good luck.

Just trying to understand why cruise control is such a deal breaker for you though- is it really or is it maybe that you're having second thoughts on the finance agreement?

Something like air conditioning, or heated windscreens would absolutely be a deal breaker for me if I'd been told the car had it and it didn't.

What's the difference? My car cas a speed limiter. Had it 8years and not used it once, what's cruise control?

The dealership might be able to retrofit cruise control for you.

I presume you didn’t test drive the car? Therefore the car needs to be ‘as described’ so if it’s not you can take it back.

Personally I love cruise control and find it really useful on all types of road.

I believe you have a 14 day cooling off period.
Contact the manage of the dealership and raise a complaint.

You have signed the contract I assume so now it's not as easy to get out of, they're not going to offer you it cheaper because they've mis sold.

What kind of car is it? And age? As most have this feature.

I've been driving 30 years and don't use it. Used it once on a motorway long journey and was terrified. It's not for everyone but you must have your reasons for wanting it.

Sounds silly but my previous car had cruise control and I just got so used to it.
But that car was a 65 plate, my new one is a 71 plate.. it’s hard to believe that a much newer car doesn’t have it!

Didn't you look the car over yourself and take it for a test drive before paying the deposit?

You need to go back and ask them to find a solution.

We really liked the Skoda Fabia a few years ago but no cruise control so it was off the list.

I think if you didn't test drive it the onus is on you. But you go back to them they may be helpful - there is nothing lost in trying.

I'd complain! My friend had a similar issue with her new car and they gave her the cash to get the missing item added (something to do with hooking up iPhone to music player. Another friend bought a new car and was picking up the new plate number on release date, they called to say she could pick it up a few weeks early ... old plate number!! Complained and it got sorted out

Random question but are you sure it doesn't have CC? My car has both but they're on the same button - you switch between them - and it would be really easy to miss and just assume it only had SL?

It’s less about motorways and more about A roads where I live-we have average speed cams and cruise control/speed limiters are VERY useful…dh uses his daily

OP I know you asked for cruise control, but for me I actually prefer a speed limiter as it feels like I’m in proper total co trip of the car, sometimes cruise control can feel a bit out of control for me, however it wouldn’t do any harm to have a chat with the garage

If it's a deal breaker for you, contact the garage and tell them that the car's specification level is not as promised.

I believe this means that you can return the car within a certain number of days, although would usually be prompted by a more significant difference so I think they'll argue the toss.

Maybe they will offer you something that makes the car more acceptable to you.

I must admit, I don't really see the difference between cruise control and a speed limiter myself.