Consumer law advice pls - car dealer given me a bill for extras 6.5 months after I collected it

[StressedEric]

Do I have to pay it ?

I paid the invoice they presented me when I collected the car and they wouldn’t have handed car over I guess if they thought I owed them money so assumed it was all correct .

they told me on Monday and are sending a small claims court letter today apparently.

I have the money to pay it just feel unhappy that it’s taken them 7 months minus a day to tell me about it .

thanks !

What are these extras they’re attempting to bill you for? Have you still got a copy of the original order form you signed?

Yes I do and I did order the blacked out windows.

You didn’t mention this in your previous post. Your posts are quite confusing. Are you saying you ordered blacked out windows and didn’t pay for them?

So it seems - I paid the invoice presented when I collected the car -so assumed it was all in - I collected on 1/9 and had about 5 mins with the dealer and then went to the car and drove off - no niceties as they had multiple collections per hour

Presumably you were aware that you hadn't paid for the windows at the time as when you ordered the car the dealer would have given you a cost, including the windows and when you picked it up the amount was less? I do think they're trying it on a bit presenting the invoice so far after the pick up but if you have the blacked out windows then I guess you owe it.

If its a new car there is no way you did not know that the invoice and the order price did not match up and the contract is created when you both agreed to order the specific model car with balcked out windows.

You would have looked at all the pricing on all options available and the package deals if 2 or more items are sold together. Even standard paint colours can have lead times so you will both have had a very clear understanding about the all specifics and the price too.

So yes the dealership can seek full payment as the contract was for car with ABC items for £££

You got what was ordered and I am guessing the invoice has none of the extras included?

Why did you not say that the price you agreed was different to what you paid?

Check your original invoice to see if you paid for the additional add-ons or just for the actual car. I suspect you didn't pay for the add-ons but if you did then just take the original invoice down to the dealership and ask for clarification. Don't ignore this.

They've probably only just picked this up as it is the end of the tax year. It sounds like the invoice didn't include the extras that you ordered, and you were aware at the time that it was wrong.

I'm not judging you for accepting the lower invoice presented at the time, but don't think you have an argument against their claim for the payment if it is for what you ordered and received.

I genuinely didn’t check as a) no time b) didn’t have order papers with me as didn’t think I’d need them - had video sent of the car and it was the right make model and colour so assumed all was ok and c) paid the invoice presented .

they are incompetent in not getting the invoice correct but as you say I’m not disputing I have the blacked out windows

my Q is can they demand payment after 6 months plus ?

Oh I’m not ignoring just trying to get clarification on how long after supplying me goods can they suddenly go “ oh you owe us more money “

I believe they have 6 years to bring a claim.

I didn’t have the original order papers with me and it was so rushed at the dealer he keyed in the amount on the card machine , it matched the invoice amount so I just paid it .

im not disputing my car has blacked out windows , just the length of time between them telling me their paperwork was incorrect - 6 months + feels a long time - I would have expected them to tally up sooner than that - each day/ week or month surely ?
I don’t work in business so don’t know retail practices .

Yes they can if it is a legitimate cost that you authorised. I believe the time limit is actually up to six years!!!!

Fab thank you this is the info I was after , much appreciated

Blimey .

Thanks all I have my answer they have 6 years , so I’ll pay it . They are incompetent and CFs though

The invoice which contains an error is a post contract item and not needed to form a contract.

Your contract was for what you received and as of yet have not fully paid for.

If you want to argue that the dealer renegotiated the deal on the delivery date you have no evidence to suport this.
The person relying on the invoice which contained an error is going to key in the error amount. Thats not proof of a new contract.

If you read the document you were given when you ordered it will likely specify that the contract was created on order not on delivery.

So they can look to hold you to the contract and as others said have 6 years to go to court. If you wanted you could try to argue in court that you did not owe the money but the dealers paperwork will be key evidence.

You would not have paid the full amount due for the window package if it had not been supplued or if the colour and other items were not as agreed so why would you think that the admin delay is a reason not to pay what was agreed?

A mistake happened and the delay in discovery could be for any number of reasons but as posters said most likely down to auditing checks.

And you should check that the car was properly recorded as most insurance companies track pre and post sale modifications and you currently have no proof that the package is a presale item. if the extra was not recorded your windows cover may only be for normal glass replacement.

Thanks - I was asking IF they could come at me 6months later and I got my answer which is Yes - so many thanks 🙏🏻

i don’t understand the legalese you mention about contracts and am not claiming anything re contracts apart from my ignorance about if they could ask for payment 6m after collection - which has been answered and so I’ll pay it now I know they are legally able to do this .

I’ll check re glass insurance thanks for this idea , not heard of it before