Thread: Used car - Starting problem - Purchased 1 week ago

Hi All,

Thanks for all your help previously. I now have a new issue... sigh...

I purchased a car on the 25th Jan 2010, paid the deposit on it then (£500) it was purchased from a major chain of dealers - Hartwell Group

I then collected the car a week later after it had been serviced etc, the car is a Megane 2 54 plate. 2 days after receiving the car I noticed it wouldnt start properly, it would only start on the 2nd or third attempt. I then immediately rang the dealership, and arranged for the car to be seen last Friday.

I sat there and waited, I saw the mechanic try and start my car as it was parked outside, he couldn't and I was told there was a fault which meant it needed to go back to Ranualt - they were a Ford/Fiat/Peoguet dealer and the car was a trade vehicle. I was then asked to pay £5.88 there minimum payment for their services. They gave me a receipt which clearly states it needs to go to Renault.

I complained to the sales person who sold me the car, as he said 3 months warranty, any problems let him know, which I did. He said I shouldn't have been charged - In a way I'm glad I paid them as I have the receipt now which states a fault. They said I had to pay for it to go to Renault, which I said was definately a no.

They then spent 6 hours trying to get me to exchange the car for a more expensive Focus 06 reg, which was £2000 more - I had paid £4000 + HP imdemnity charge + road tax = £4170 in total. They were trying to sell me finance for the other £2000, I had paid with Visa Electron for the original car from my savings

I refused, and said I cannot make this decision now, I'll come back tommorrow. I did but this time with Friends and Family, and handed them a letter stating my rejection of the vehicle, and asking for a fulll refund. The "Business Manager" said he would pay for Renault to look at the fault and would work something out with me.

I agreed, they called me yesterday stating that Renault couldn't find the fault, the mechanic from Renault called me saying their is no fault. I clearly didn't accept this, as I and Hartwells mechanics have seen the fault. The Business Manager then said, Look I cant do anymore with my level of powers, I've done what I've said, but your not happy, I'll get my senior manager to call tommorrow (later on today)

My questions are:

Do I have a right for a full refund? Everytime I push them, they seem to offer more, first it was Exchange for another vehicle with £100-200 knocked off as another owner on V5. Then Full purchase price minus HPI imdemnity and Road Tax. Yesterday they seemed to be able to do a Refund minus the cost of Renault looking at it.... gees these suckers need to make up their minds...

Have I approached this correctly? My car is still with them, I have the V5C though.

They made me sign a disclaimer syaing that this car may have faults based on age/wear tear, and that they are not the dealer for this vehicle. the last point states "This does not affect your Statuory Rights as a Consumer" Which I think makes this not worth the paper its written, am I right?

Is there any avenue to pursue with my bank who I've already spoken to and said they can dispute the transactions on my account? Do I have any rights to ask them to dispute this?

What else can I do as I badly need my money or car... need it for work?

Thanks very much, sorry about long post

Update - The "Senior manager" never called me yesterday, the Sale Manager said he would try the car and see if he could see the problem. I spoke to him today and he confirmed that he could hear a grinding noise whilst starting the car from cold but it didn't stall for him. He said he would speak to Renault again.

We've spoken to HQ again and they said that an exchange within the same Hartwell group would be possible, however they need it in writing - Yesterday I saw a Astra on theiir site but from a different branch and the sales manager said the exchange had to be within his dealership and not another franchisee.

Any responses would be appreciated...

They finnally agreed there is a fault, and the Renault Master Technician has said its due to the Cam Variator, whilst they are replacing this they will also replace the Cam belt as it makes sense to.

They haven't started the work yet, as they mechanic wants to hear the sound to confirm the problem. They said they can provide the paperwork showing that Renault fixed the fault, and that it will be under 12 months warranty from Renault. I'm meant to be able to collect the car tommorrow.