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Original poster

Rejecting a car - what are my rights?

7 replies

FlyingFlamingo · 30/03/2023 18:56

I bought a brand new EV in March 2022. In February it developed a fault with the main battery. It is currently at the dealership, they have told me today that it needs a new battery and this can only be done at a specialised garage about 90 minutes away so it will be transferred there next week. I have been advised that once it is there there will be no updates to either myself or the dealership until it is ready to come back. They cannot even tell me how long it will be there but it will be at least 6 weeks. They can’t even tell me if they have a battery in stock Hmm
I currently have a lower spec courtesy car from Enterprise. I have asked for a more equivalent car from the dealer now that this looks like being a long term loan. The courtesy car also has a £500 excess so I am terrified of damaging it!
Given that my car could be out of my hands for a significant amount of time, what are my rights regarding rejecting the car and asking for a like for like replacement? I have no issue with giving them a chance to repair the problem but the timescales are not reasonable in my opinion.
Thank you

OP posts:
MandyMotherOfBrian · 30/03/2023 19:15

So it was just under a year old when the fault developed? As far as the Consumer Rights act is concerned as it’s after six months you will have to prove the fault was present at the time of purchase. Otherwise the dealer is allowed one attempt at repair. You could contact the Motor Ombudsman to check?

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 30/03/2023 19:17

Thanks…yes it was more than 6 months when the fault appeared but it is well within the warranty period (8 years for the battery)

OP posts:
Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 30/03/2023 19:22

It doesn’t look as though they are signed up to the Motor Ombudsman despite being a main dealer Shock

OP posts:
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 30/03/2023 19:30

Do you mind saying which EV model it is?

MandyMotherOfBrian · 30/03/2023 19:31

I see. So rejecting the car - if you can prove the fault was there at purchase - is relevant to the Consumer Rights Act for sales of vehicles. If you’re asking for the issue to be dealt with under the warranty, that’s different. Does the warranty state that only this dealership can carry out the repair? If it is and the issue for you is the time frame (unknown timeframe) contact the administrator company of the warranty and ask what your alternatives are as this dealership is not being forthcoming with a satisfactory solution.

Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 30/03/2023 19:35

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 30/03/2023 19:30

Do you mind saying which EV model it is?

A Renault Zoe

OP posts:
Original poster
FlyingFlamingo · 30/03/2023 19:36

MandyMotherOfBrian · 30/03/2023 19:31

I see. So rejecting the car - if you can prove the fault was there at purchase - is relevant to the Consumer Rights Act for sales of vehicles. If you’re asking for the issue to be dealt with under the warranty, that’s different. Does the warranty state that only this dealership can carry out the repair? If it is and the issue for you is the time frame (unknown timeframe) contact the administrator company of the warranty and ask what your alternatives are as this dealership is not being forthcoming with a satisfactory solution.

Thank you, that’s good advice.

OP posts:
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