Purchased a car from a garage 2 weeks ago and now its broken. Please Help

[krome]

Hi there.

Two weeks ago i purchased a used 1991 Toyota MR2 turbo for quite a lot of money. The garage was a good one and the salesman was a nice friendly chap. Ive done less than 600 miles in this car since ive had it and yesterday it overheated and i knew i was in trouble.

When i got the car back to my place i could see a white mayonnaise type goo under the oil filler cap. (This usually suggest a blown head gasket as im sure you are aware).

The salesman put the car through a full service and check before selling it to me. However when a full service is carried out its common practice to change the coolant. This wasn't done.

Since ive had the car ive done no modifications to it what so ever. Ive not changed, tampered with or broken anything.

My problem is i didn't get an official warranty with the car because the salesman said "If you have any problems in the first 3months bring it back to us and we will sort it". This is of course a verbal agreement and theres no way of proving he actually said it (apart from my friend who was present at the purchase).

Im a young lad and dont have the cash to shell out for expensive repairs. I also dont want to be taken for a ride by the garage. Where do i stand on this?

Thank you very much
Krome

[nufsaid]

Hiya welcome to CAG

Krome I'm not a petrol head so don't understand the technical side of things.

Do you want to keep the car ??? Or have it repaired ?

Did you get a receipt from the dealer as this sometimes states the warranty ?

NS

[krome]

Id like to keep the car as ive fallen in love with it now haha. Ive got a receipt from the garage but it doesn't state warranty, however im told on other forums the garage by law has to provide 3 months warranty on all major parts. Its all very confusing. Thank you for your reply

[nufsaid]

Have you spoken to the garage about the problem ?

Have a read through this trading standards page it will give you an idea of your rights.

Trading Standards Central - Trading Standards and Consumer Protection information for the UK

NS

[krome]

Yes ive spoken to the garage. They said "bring it in Monday and we will have a look for you". Ill check out the link. Thank you for your help

[rps1969]

Hi

Been here on a few occasions myself, and to be honest I would not get uptight with the sales guy as he will be your best friend.

Firstly the "full service" Can you quantify what a full service actually involved ? Full service you see may be what they consider a full service and not many will carry it out per manufacturers guidelines.

Speak to the garage and say to them about only doing 600 miles.

Fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality springs to mind regardless of age of the vehicle. If this fails to encourage them to do the work then you will have to payout again for an independant inspection. However, if you do this then take it to Court action then in the Small claims court you risk not being able to claim this back.

If you get no joy, do nothing except send a letter giving 14 days. If you hear nothing then apply through the courts and the judge will suggest an independant report to be carried out before it comes to court again. This will probally be jointly funded. However, you can ask the judge for this to be included in your claim.

Failing this all you can really do is to get the car repaired and claim it back.