Thread: Long running problem with Alfa Romeo - PLEASE HELP!

Hello,

Six months ago I bought a used Alfa Romeo 159 privately and for 3 months it was great. Then it developed an issue whereby the car judders when the revs hit around 1500rpm. Since this time I have taken the car back to the dealers 5 times, had 7 courtesy cars and this 5th time with the dealer they have had the car for over 6 weeks! They have tried every avenue to fix the problem, using their own main service technician and under instruction from Alfa Romeo's UK Technical Support department Teseo but they still have not cured the issue. I have been in regular contact with Alfa Romeo UK and have requested/insisted on a swift resolution but to no avail. It seems they want to avoid replacing the engine at all costs. This makes no sense to me as it must have cost them more to keep plugging away at a fix over the last 3 months than it would have done to replace the engine. Alfa Romeo UK have now said they will be ringing the dealer, the warranty people and Teseo to tell them that if I do not have a resolution one way or the other by the end of the week then I will reject the car. This is their suggestion, not mine. Can anybody tell me:

1. What 'rejecting' means?
2. What I can do to take this infuriating matter further?
3. Do I have very few rights seeing as I bought the car privately?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you are having probs with such a great looking car!

As its a 159, it must be quite new. So first question; how old is it?
You say you bought it privately, so i'm a little suprised to hear you use the term 'insisted' toward the dealer unless its still under warranty which you have yet to confirm.

Assumng it is still under warranty, it should have been transfered to you from the original owner and obviously the service schedule needs to be current. Providing all the paperwork is in order, then you should be ok.

Rejecting the car normally means you go back to the place you bought it from for a refund but as you bought it privately 6 months ago then that is not an option. You then have to approach the dealer who sold the car new and depending how old the car is, will depend on whether this is an option available to you. You say this has been going on for over 3 months so they must have some idea what the problem is?

So can you clear up these few points so I can advise you further.

Hello Sailor Sam,

Thanks for your reply. Sorry, the car is 2 years old (Sep 2007) and is still under warranty. I used the term 'insisted' as my patient approach was getting me nowhere with Alfa Romeo UK.

I have confirmed with the garage that the warranty was officially transferred to me and the service schedule is up to date (saying that it has been with the garage for so long that it's actually now due it's 36,000 mile service).

I very much doubt the garage would accept a rejection based on them originally selling the car if they are quibbling so much over a new engine but it's worth a try. The fault has been ongoing for 3 months but the garage and Teseo (Alfa tech support) have no idea what the problem is and we are effectively still at square one. It is worth pointing out that there are quite a few other cars in the dealer network that have the very same issue with no fix in sight.

Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. I have searched the web for a clear statement on where I stand and what my rights are but I cannot find one. I am ripping my hair out with this issue and Alfa's lack of willingness to do something final about it

Hi again,

well I doubt if it is an actual engine problem beacuse although Alfa have had bulid quality issues in the past, their engines are normally top notch. They do however burn oil (which they are designed to do) because of their high performance. It could be an engine management issue but whatever it is, it has been going on long enough.

My advice therefore is to write a formal letter to both Alfa UK (which is part of Fiat) and to the dealer basically saying the following;

Dear Sirs,

Re; Alfa Romeo 159 VRM:*******

I refer to my above mentioned vehicle which has had an ongoing fault for over 3 months now which is well documented. I am very concerned now that this issue remains unresolved and as such feel in necessary to formally inform you that I now require closure on this situation.

I therefore require either of the following:

1) The offer of a replacement car on a like for like basis with similar mileage. (this offer is subject to my acceptance)

2) Your exceptance of rejection of the vehicle under the relevant sale of goods act together with a purchase offer to myself which reflects the forecourt value of the vehicle. (this offer is subject to my acceptence)

3) A replacement new engine and all necessary parts to my car as required to finally rectify the origianl fault once and for all supported by the appropiate warranties.

I feel the above requirements are completely reasonable under the circumstances owing to the length of time this situation has taken so far and the inconvienience caused and that there is no prospect in sight of it being rectified to my satisfaction in the acceptable near future.

I look forawrd to your proposals within the next 14 days from todays date which will avoid the necessity of taking further legal advice and possible proceedings in this matter.

Yours ect ect.

Keep a copy and send by recorded post. Insert any reference numbers you have when sending to Alfa UK. Good luck! Oh, and check the spelling!

Sailor Sam,

Thank you so much for your detailed response. I have prepared the letters and will send them this afternoon. I will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,

Mat

Originally Posted by Conniff

That is a good letter and should prompt some action.

P.S. You spelt sam wrong

Yeah, it should be a capital S!

Any news on this yet?

Hello Sailor Sam,

ARUK and the dealer both acknowledged receipt of the letters I sent with the former attaching theirs to the case. As regards a fix on my car Alfa tech support have had one last throw of the dice in the replacement of a couple of the pistons via an engine specialist. The car was put back together today and will be tested over the weekend. On Monday I will receive a call from ARUK telling me whether the car is fixed or not. If not they have agreed to order a new engine and replace my poorly one!

I will keep you posted... thanks again... Mat

Sounds good! I've been away over the weekend so I hpoe the call you should of had was good news!

Any updates?

Sailor Sam,

So sorry I didn't reply on this... to be honest I forgot all about it with all the problems I had!

Anyway, Alfa eventually replaced my engine just before Christmas (more than 4 months after they started looking into the issue!) and everything has been fine since. They apologised profusely for the time the fix had taken and carried out a major service and full valet free of charge (approx. £500 in value).

This experience has left me seriously disillusioned with Alfa's customer care. As I said in a letter to them, "...it appears your desire to avoid replacing my engine far outweighs your desire to provide good customer support...".

Thanks again,

Mat