Car unfit for purpose - do i have any legal rights?

[SquidgyBalls]

Hi, we purchased a car for our son (on credit) but the car has been a problem since we bought it (August 2021). I appreciate it's been a while but I've been talking back and forward with the car sales garage and manufacturer since then. The car has also been unused for many months as we didn't trust it (still paying tax/Ins etc).

Problems started with the car not starting, then going into limp mode, and it's done this probably a dozen times since. We took it to a garage this week, again, and they've given us some possible causes for the issues. Two (trusted) garages have refused to take it on they know others cars of the same make with the same issues. We can't get the car fixed without it potentially costing us thousands (ie some garages have said they've had the same make of car with them for weeks/in and out for years without a fix, if we can find a garage to take it on! This week's garage just said "get rid" and "Ford just lie about it" but to do that I'll need to sell it, and then I just pass the problem onto someone else.

Is there anything at all I can do about this situation? TIA (very much!).

That’s horrendous. I think I’d honestly pursue it hard with Ford (assuming manufacturer) if it’s a known issue. My mum had a perma-bad golf that she bought new and by 5 years needed new engine at 5k. She got VW to finally agree to do it. Similarly a mate got a 12 yr old Audi A5 engine rebuilt at their expense (they had done a service/repair that precipitated the issue).
But in both cases they had to do deal with the headquarters pursuing manufacturing fault, and not the local franchised garages.

The dealer who sold you the car is responsible. Assuming they have had a chance to repair the car, you can reject it and receive a refund less a deduction for the use you have had of the car. The credit provider is jointly liable with the dealer, so you can pursue them if the dealer refuses.