Thread: Faulty New (08) Ka Help Needed

Hi, I'm new here
I'm not sure what to do next
I bought a new Ford Ka 58 plate in Sept 08 from a dealership 150 miles from home, fully financed by GE Money.
Got it home and partner noticed a penny size dent on both sides, hard to find due to shine. As the dents were not causing problem I waited a few weeks to book it in due to work commitments.
Late October I noticed the passenger footwell was wet, thought maybe something spilt, it didn't dry out and realised it got worse when driving in the rain. Phoned original dealer and booked appt for following week and get dents pulled at same time. Got there, no courtesy car, 3 hrs wandering around, on return they had sorted dents and told me to book the car into a more local dealer for 'water ingress' as they would need 48hrs to pressure test etc. Rang nearest 1, told no to courtesy car, booked at next nearest, my car has been back 2 times since for the same problem, nobody has pressure tested, only had it in for few hours each time, they also got paint on my seat and cannot get it off!(small drop) water prob still not sorted and on xmas eve had to get Ford assistance out as power steering fluid pipe split, two week wait for repair.
Ford Enquiries have been contacted and 'assure me they will restore my faith in Ford' every other sentence. and have said they will pay for my 1st service, for the inconvenience, over 500 miles to & from garages,not in writing though.
Spoke to F. E. agin on Monday a.m. told them still have prob, and that I'm considering solicitor, they've not returned call yet.
I'm sending off papers to GE Money in the morning, been waiting 4 weeks for them to arrive.
The dealership that have done the 'not' repairs are also not overly happy as they didn't sell me the car! they loose out on warranty work as Ford only pay for parts, not my prob but I'm sure it doesn't help with the quality of workmanship I get.
I am up to date with payments, I have to wait for rain to see if a repair has worked, car wash not the same! I'm just overall unhappy with what should be my lovely new car and the service received, where do I go from here??

I think you have to wait until you see if what they have done has rectified the problems to your satisfaction;
Next step for you to decide, for a major fault such as water ingress, is do you continue to let tem try and sort out or reject the car under SOGA.
If you decide to reject you must do so in writing to the dealer, copy to Finance co., detailing why and the history time line on whats happened and give 7 days to respond, asking for a full refund of all monies paid.
Depending on response you may to send another letter lba and take them to court.
Note If you do reject it then you cannot continue to use it.

I've just spoken with a solicitor (free 1/2 hr) and been told it is too late to reject the car, he's saying it has to be really early on, like 4 weeks max.
His other advice was just to write to original dealer to claim compensation and make sure repair is done properly, as explained before I would have to deliberately drive in heavy rain! not always possible.
If I reject, do I need to take the car to the dealer? obviously if it stays with me I have the insurance etc

My Ka has been back to purchasing dealership and returned, still leaking, I contacted finance company (Santander) and they in turn decided Ford could have 1 last try at repair (I had sent a standard letter from trading standards giving 14 days for either refund or replacement) as they supposedly have new equipment to detect water leaks!! Returned today, opened the passenger door whilst their driver was here and the floor was wet!! He has taken my Ka back again and left me with the courtesy car. Not sure where to go next, Ford apparently have a replacement scheme but the problem is they no longer make my Ka and there is no way I'm having the new one. Can they insist on a replacement?

Your'e lucky that Santander even gave you a hearing. I complained that Citroen would not fix my car under warranty and they virtually told me to F---O--. I don't want to stop repayments as this would effect my credit thingy, but just don't know how to get them to use the lever on Citroen.

First time I had contact with them, they sent out satisfaction quality forms where I got my chance to list all the times it had been in for repair.

I've been contacted by Santander this morning and the Dealership has reported my car as returned under SOGA now and are waiting for a Ford Field engineer to inspect the vehicle, approx 2 weeks. Seeing as it has been in 5/6 times now, they've had the dash out several times I dont see what he's going to find. After his inspection I will be contacted again to discuss how to proceed. I am still paying but not sure what to do about my insurance as that runs out in 3 weeks.

Could really do with some help here, Finance and Ford and Trading Standards all telling me different things!
Santander telling me Dealership has contacted Ford so wait.
Ford telling me wait for field engineer, as that is what Ford have told them, but they are looking into a replacement of same age (1 yr) with same mileage (problem 1, over 1000 miles been put on travelling to and for for repairs, dealership is 250 mile round trip)
Trading Standards telling me I need to write again to finance to rescind agreement.
I am waiting on call from finance as cant get through to right dept so have asked for call back.
Currently I have courtesy car but presume that if I rescind agreement Ford will take it straight back. I am then left with no vehicle, paying monthly £££'s and a long wait for refund plus compensation claim for loss of earnings etc
If I go the refund route (most likely as during all this been made redundant) will finance company take off £££ for wear and tear etc as has 10.000 on clock now?
All parties concerned seem to talk to me like this is an everyday occurance, I've never been in this position before and dont really know where to turn next.

Ask your lawyer that if car can't be returned under SOGA, why can't it be done under the new law CUPTR 2008

Update
My Dealership have rejected the Ka from Ford, the field engineer inspected yesterday and I'm waiting to hear his report.
Finance got back to me yesterday and they also are waiting for the report, I have let them know I'm not prepared to take a 2nd hand replacement, I was told I do not have to accept what Ford offer, but to wait to hear what they come up with.
I saw a solicitor on a free 1/2 hour consultation months ago so cannot go back unless I have money to pay (i dont)
I'm being cautious as I have been Bankrupt in the past and have only just regained the ability to get credit and do not want this messed up.
will post when I know more.
Thanks

Really surprised that it got this far. Thought that they would have examined round where the front seatbelt fixes as this appears to be a known source for leaks and perhaps in later years rust. However, if you can screw a new car out of them, so much the better.

Wrote to Santander again, standard letter from with advice from consumer direct, rescinding my contract, after Ford taking so long. Today Ford have been in touch offering me a 2nd hand car as a replacement!! I've rejected the offer and told there is no way they will give a refund. Back to Consumer Direct as soon as I'm home and taking Ford to court.
They currently have my Ka, declared SORN in their lock up and I'm waiting for them to collect the courtesy car that I've had for 2 months whilst they've been messing around.

Consumer direct have said to write a final letter before court but I musn't be seen to be the one not negotiating. Ford said No to refund, off the record because I've driven the car around and put 10000K on the clock, that I should have stopped driving as soon as reported faulty, how? everytime it's been in for repair they have said its mended so I drive it (the whole idea of a car) until the next time i'm driving in the rain, only for the fault to re-occur.
Any idea's? this has been dragging on for just under a year since the 1st repair, I'm so stressed and I feel I'm being pressured into taking what Ford want me to, I have spoken briefly on the phone with solicitor today but will not be entitled to legal aid.

They are correct if reject the caryou must not use it, but from what you say the dealer rejected and you accepted the repair strategy. Keep on at the finance people as well its their car! Keep talking to them and the dealer. suggest to them that the dealer and finance company put an offer to you that is acceptable.

Hi Pushka.
I've watched this post with interest and am saddened to see that the issue has not been sorted out.
I'd appreciate it if you could PM me and Scaniaman as I think we could help out in a big way. My position in relation to your complaint dictates that I cannot answer you fully publically. Scaniaman knows why and would verify my statement. If you need another angle of attack on this issue then please do so.

Update, no internet for last week!
Firstly thanks Heliosuk for PM, will reply later.
Santander have rejected my rejection as they feel
a, 2nd hand replacement,
b, original Ka back as ford 'have repaired it'
c, New Ka (horrible) and I pay the difference (which is huge)
are suitable offers, if I'm not happy then to take this to the financial Ombudsman.
Ford have today collected the courtesy car (no notice, a call early to tell me a driver had left) and returned my Ka (+ some scratches on paintwork!) even though I have rejected it. I got dealership to email me outlining that this was in NO way me accepting the vehicle back.
Consumer direct have passed details to Trading Standards, am awaiting call back.
I want a full refund of all moneys paid to Santander and compensation for my losses.
I feel as though I am being bullied by two large companies to accept something I dont want. I asked Santander why they were no representing me properly? standard reply of we've made our final decision!
I have been advised to continue paying Santander.
I have not driven the car since July,
Ford however have put nearly 700 miles on it since July with repeated 'repairs and delivery back and forth'

Update
Another unsatisfactory replacement offered by Ford, 6 months older than mine and different colour!! and no consideration of any compensation.
All correspondence now in the hands of the Financial Ombudsman, I've been warned this can take a good few months.
will keep updating in case my experience can help anyone else.

Hi Pushka,

I take it then the car still hasn't been fixed.