Used car has developed fault - who pays?

[hertfordshiremum1984]

Hello,

Looking for advice or anyone who has experience of this.

I bought a used 2006 Vauxhall Corsa in November last year (my first car) for £1500.

The car is running ok but has developed a leak in the footwell on the drivers side. This is now seeping back into the passenger side behind the driver's seat.

I have searched online and found information that states faulty cars should be replaced by dealerships if they were sold to the consumer less than six months ago. This sounds a little too good to be true and obviously the car is old and the problem I have is common in Corsas of this make and model. Should I approach the dealership to ask them to pay for the repair? I've been quoted about £250 for the repair by my local mechanic. I also had to change the cam belt a couple of months ago for £300 (maintainence issue which is not the fault of the dealership) so it feels like the car is turning into a bit of a money pit! Sadly I am not in the financial position to buy a newer car.

The dealership has excellent online reviews and the owners seemed like lovely people so I don't think they sold me a dodgy car on purpose.

Any thoughts?

Did it come with a warranty? If I'm honest I would expect a 14 year old car to be developing faults.

I'd say a mechanical fault should be covered but a leak in a car of that age is 100% your responsibility.

That's just wear and tear so your responsibility to fix. Same with the cam belt, should have known when you bought it that it hadn't been done

You’d be right if this was a fault; but if the car was fine in November and has recently developed a leak since it’s been in your care, it’s likely to be considered fair wear and tear for a car that old, so it’ll be yours to fix (and pay for).

The cambelt is a service part, due to be changed every X thousand miles. As it's your first car you may not have known that, and so would not have known to check the service history. As cars get old, owners get less diligent in having services done. Places like Halfords are cheaper than dealers.

The leak you describe is sometimes caused by the rubber seal against the window glass wearing so water gets in. The drivers door window is used more than the others so is usually the first to go. The rubber strip is replaceable, but I've never done one. A handy person can often take the panel off the inside of the door and may see why it is not draining (there are drain holes at the bottom of the door, inside, and a plastic sheet to stop the water getting inside). Have a look and see if there is a visible gap.

I've seen un-handy people put gaffer tape along the bottom of the window glass to prevent water running into the door. If you can find tape the same colour as the car it may not look too awful.

You can have a go at the dealer, but I doubt they will be receptive.

Like houses and people, all cars have things wrong with them. If you look after it, there will come a time when it has fewer un-fixed faults than others of the same age.

Another cause can be water collecting in the "trough" between the bonnet and the windscreen. This trough usually has pipes to drain the water away, which can get blocked by leaves or rubbish.

What sort of “dealership” did you buy it from?

Did they give you a warranty?

Even if they did I would expect a warranty for a 14 year old car to be extremely limited - engine only probably.

Cars that age are usually sold as seen.

The car is not dodgy! The says the risk you run when you buy a 14-year-old car!

The dealership had no way of knowing the footwell would develop a leak, and you say the cam belt was wear and tear.

Do you have a warranty?

I think you'll just have to suck it up, sorry.

It’s wear and tear on an old car!

Unless the dealer gave you a written warranty on the car you bought it "as is" and the repairs are on you. I recently replaced a 2009 car that was slowly deteriorating. At 14 years old you have to expect to do repairs. If you get another year or two out of it count yourself lucky.

As others have said, you won't be entitled to repair if fault is wear and tear i.e. is reasonable for the age and mileage of the car.

I think it will be difficult to argue that a car if this age isn't of satisfactory quality because of a fault of this nature.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/buying-or-repairing-a-car/problems-with-a-used-car/

I recently had a problem with a used car 2 days after buying it. They managed to fix it for me but legally I was allowed to return it if I wanted to.

Your situation is slightly and sounds more like wear and tear but I did find the "which" site helpful.
www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-second-hand-car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights

Ok, thanks for your responses.

I think this is a fairly common issue with Corsas - apparently water can come in through the 'bulkhead'. Unfortunately I know bugger all about cars and becoming a car owner is turning into an expensive journey!

It is under warranty for six months but the warranty doesn't cover this type of problem.

Yes that sucks

Old cars are expensive to run, mine is 13 yr old and has had services and been looked after but still, bits are starting to fall off!

Bloody hell. What is the answer? Is it best to get a newer car on finance? That also seems to be extortionate.

And could also go wrong!

All cars have things wrong with them. The seller won't often part with a car in perfect condition.

I've found Toyotas to be particularly durable.

I'm not a used-car salesman, but if I was, I'm sure I'd put a lot of effort into making my customers think I was a lovely person.

Ohhh I had this exact problem with my Corsa! That car ruined the backs of my UGG boots as there was always a sloshing puddle.
Sorry, not helping

I do agree with everyone else - you can be lucky or unlucky with older cars.
My dd bought her first car - Corsa too as it happens - for £300 3 years ago. It's been through 3 MOTs since, one with a minor bit of work (wiper blade and a light bulb) and 2 MOTs that it sailed through without having any work done at all. You just never know.
By only paying out a few hundred you can afford to do the repairs.
If you spend £4k on a car, you can still get a run of bad luck, but you don't have the money left in the bank to do those repairs.

Some cars, regardless of the age in my experience can be money pits.

My worst expenditure on a car was a model only a few years old.

I would have thought that if they'd done a service before sale that the cam belt should have been a part of that tbh.

The leak, if there were no signs early on is probably one of those things.

Please bear in mind, my car prior to this, a year ago was a 2002 plate and never had any issues beyond the usual maintenance issues such as belts, tyres, exhausts etc. So I wouldn't be changing the car just yet.

Just make sure that you're maintaining it with services, you checking the levels of water, anti freeze, tyre pressure, brake fluid etc.

@PigletJohn That's aan interesting point about most cars having something wrong with them.

To be fair, the car is running quite well despite this problem.

@Freshnewus Did you get it repaired?

@solomummy The cam belt is not covered in servicing - I think you are thinking of the tensioner belt? I also made this expensive mistake when buying it, then later realised it hadn't been done. I thought I'd get it done as a precaution which was a good decision as the mechanic said it needed doing! They can't check the cam belt in servicing as checking it's condition loosens the belt and it can't go back in again once that happens - you have to replace it.

I am slowly learning about all this stuff.