help! what would you do... ?

[stellar]

our car has been playing up and we decided to part-ex it for a different car.

DH went to the garage on Friday to do the deal and we're due to pick up the new car on Wednesday.

Saturday we went shopping in town. When we came back the car wouldn't start. Called the AA and they say its the head gasket that's gone (:O [tears] X-O

Managed to get the car started. DH explained that we're changing cars on Weds. We got a tow home as AA man said it will prob drive to garage so we can get new car.

Dh went to try car yesterday and it won't start as the water the mechanic put in has flooded into the engine.

We've already paid the garage £1200 for the other car (the diff in value between ours and theirs) and don't know if we're going to be able to get our car there to complete the deal.

What are we going to do????? I am sick with worry!

Should we ring the garage to tell them the situation and hope they'll still take our car? Or should we risk driving the car there (if we can get it started) and hope we make it (the garage is 25 miles away) and say nothing?

If we break down we can't call the AA cos they won't come out for the same problem twice.

Help!!!!!

Stella xx

What does your paperwork say about the car that you are trading in? ie does it say that it must be in the same state on the day that you deliver it as it was on the day that it was inspected?

what you really need is a mumsnetter whose DP is a mechanic and they'll be best able to advise you huh?
Hope someone with inside knowledge picks your message up soon (I'm sure they will after the bedtime lull is over.

All the garage did was look around at the bodywork of the car and took the mileage - never lifted the bonnet or anything like that.

The paperwork doesn't mention anything about the condition of the car etc.

I think we should plead ignorance. I am trying to coax DH into just driving/towing the car there (my mates DH would tow him if neccessary) taking the new car and not saying anything.

DH and his workmates think he should ring the garage in advance and see what they say.

Hence the dilemma

Stella xx

If you can get it started, drive it there and say nothing. If they didn't ask you about anything mechanical and they didn't inspect it...

My FIL once half pushed/drove a van that was really really ropey, breaks didn't work properly and making a horrible clanky noise to a garage in the early hours of the morning before popping in to part exchange it later in the day ;)

Most of the time they except part exchange as a way to give you a bigger discount to make themselves look good anyway and will just go on the recommended second hand price for that age/condition of bodywork/mileage vehicle.

I'd take it in and say nothing, Stella. Lets face it, garages aren't reknowned for being honest with their customers, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it - they didn't examine the engine, so I wouldn't think they would be that bothered

I think DH is more worried about the practicalities of getting it to the garage - esp as it is 25 miles away. He doesn't like driving it under tow either. He can be such a wimp!!!

If it ends up getting towed cos it breaks down again or won't start how does he explain why the car is there the night before (for example)?