Thread: Toyota RRG Macclesfield - Vehicle not as described

Hi,

I purchased a "Toyota Approved Used Vehicle" from RRG Macclesfield.

It was described as in great condition, no scratches, dents or mis-coloured panels.

On 23rd January 2010 I collected this previa, it had scratches along the sides, front and rear bumper. I asked for a refund and train times to return to Bexley, I was told that this was not possible as I had additional works completed, namely interior car mats, boot liner, window tints and had the "great condition" bodywork supagard protected!

The RRG emploee's told me it would cost no more than £200-250 to have a local SMART or similar fix these and make the previa "9.5 out of 10".

I wasn't given my refund, but I was assured that the defects not previously disclosed to me prior to paying my deposit, or during these works being completed or prior to me travelling 4 hours by train to RRG, would be easily fixed for £200-250.

The Sales manager then agreed a reduction on the price on this basis and the car was reluctantly taken with the scratches.

At no point was I offered any refund.

HOWEVER, on taking the car to a local SMART repairer on 26th January 2010, he advised me that the scratches were too deep and that it was not possible to repair these and it needed a respray. He also told me that the bumper scuff at the front was not just a paint damage, it was an impact accident damage and had been repaired badly.

I then took the previa to a local repairer (26th January 2010) used by Jemca, Sidcup . He advised the same and said that I should have been told that the front was an accident damage and not have been misled into thinking it was just a minor superficial paint scuff, when actually it was an accident damage - the impact had damaged the fog lamp housing, pushed this in, misaligned the headlamp and deformed the bumper and bumper fixing and had been repaired badly.

I was requested to have the bodyshop repairer fax the quote/estimate to them, which they did.

I then complained to RRG on 26th January and was advised I would receive a call back -never happened.

I then spoke to Centre principle on 27th January 2010 and was advised on 7th February this was normal "wear and tear" a vehicle that was 4 years old! That they had not misled me and that I voluntarily accepted a discount of £250 to "sort these few scratches out yourself".

What can I do?

1) RRG misled me prior to sale on the true condition of the bodywork- stating no scratches etc
2) RRG confirmed by email that the body had no scratches, dents or mis-coloured paint
3) RRG had supagard applied to a scratched bodywork, prior to me knowing the car was even scratched or damaged?!
4) RRG then denied me a refund stating that I had additional works completed.
5) RRG misled me on the cost to remedy the scratches, discounting the car by £250 to cover the cost to fix these undisclosed defects. But the defects/scratches are too deep and need respraying, costing much more!
6) The parking sensors were fitted to a chipped rear bumper, so now these have to be removed prior to painting
7) The front bumper paint scuff, is not a scuff. It is an accident damage that was not disclosed to me prior, during or on completion of the sale. It was a fault present at time of sale and not disclosed, but instead I was misled on what it actually was. I am a nurse, layperson and do not have the technical knowledge to notice or observe such things. RRG failed to point this defect to me. And it will cost considerably more to repair this, namely a new bumper and bumper iron and other works
8) I was notified that the previa also had 2 new front tyres fitted, but funnily enough, the car pulls slightly. So the old tyres would have shown uneven tyre wear and therby indicate an y mechanical damage from the accident


I have contacted Toyota Customer Relations and feel that I have been fobbed off and left out to dry, pushing me back to the RRG Macclesfield dealer.

The Centre principle is stating we have no intention of taking the car back and basically said take it legal.

I first asked for the repairs to be undertaken to the vehicle, and gave an opportunity to put this right. RRG would not help in this or any regard to putting the faults right

I wrote on 29th January 2010 to reject the vehicle as not as described and not fit for purpose, and misrepresented to me under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.

Now I'm told that I was not misled, that I did not take a refund and was made aware of the faults on collection. I was misled prior to sale on its condition, I was denied the refund and then misled on what the faults were when seen!

How was I meant to know that the scuff was an accident damage, or that the £250 discount to repair the scratches was not enough, as the scratches and now accident damage would cost much more then this?

The car had 30491 miles and now has 30756 miles. It has travelled just 265 miles since collection and has been garaged ever since.

The car was purchased under the Toyota Approved Used car programme"

It offers: -
1) The Best New Cars Make the Best Used Cars
At Toyota, we scrutinise every used vehicle to guarantee the peace of mind you would normally associate with buying a brand new one.

2) Should you have reasonable cause to not be satisfied with your car, you can return it within 30 days (with no more than 500 miles covered since collection/delivery) and exchange it for another of at least equal value exclusive of any accessories.I was not made aware that the car can only travel 250 miles - it took 250 just to get home, then additional miles to get the vehicle looked at as requested by the centre principle?!!

3) Prior to sale, every Toyota Approved Used Car is submitted to a rigorous inspection by an approved technician working to a Toyota approved checklist.
Any work necessary to bring the car up to the high standard required is carried out prior to being offered for sale.

The inspection is mandatory on all vehicles that are prepared for sale under the Toyota Approved Used Car programme.
The following areas are covered by the inspection:

Service validation
Interior check
Engine compartment check
Underbody check
Exterior check
Road test
Full valet

So why didn't this happen to my previa??

Can anyone help or shed any light?