Network Q car in garage more than on the road

[Perseus]

Hi

My Mum & Dad have had an absolute nightmare with an Omega they purchased cash lastyear (october I think).
The car has had so many problems with the engine management system, a works recon gearbox and numerous other problems.
Although the geabox has been replaced/recon'd, there is still a fault which put the box into a 'slipped diff drive', effectively locking the car in 3rd gear when pulling away.
Great if you're on ice or in 3 feet of snow - bloody dangerous when you're negotiating away from a junction or driving onto a round about.

It's been to 3 different network q garages, 1 experienced the fault but could get their equipment to register a fault code, the other 2 haven't.
Both my M&D are disabled, Mum quite seriously with her back.

Is there anything that could be done to either force the repair or better still get a refund - the car is a bucket of spanners - sounds like the big end's are just on their way through the casing, and they've lost total confidence in the car now.

Any suggestions or I need to supply more specific info please let me know.

Thank you
Perseus

[balloon1435]

Hi there Perseus,
Balloon 1435 here,
Just found your thread about your folks car, Did they buy it from a Network q dealer and if so did they get a warranty with the car?

I had a nightmare with Vauxhall a few years back, they knew the car had a problem (an expensive one) and they kept on denying that it had a fault, even to the point they told me I was imagining things (aeronautical engineer by trade) not likely.

Liney, not a shiney

[Perseus]

Hi Balloon

Yep - they have a 1 year 'no quibble' warranty.
So far, they've had countless trips to their local network q garage.
Had a works recon gearbox, new sensors, new exhaust, eletric switches replaced. All sorts.
Advertised as full service history, but just a few stamps in a log book - no history at all.
The car 'apparently' should not have been sold under the network q scheme (too old - 5years), but it was.

Had the car for about 6 months now, and wishing they could just get a refund and walk away. The garage that supplied it in York, shipped it down on a transporter. It's been back up there for a week because they were losing money due to the costs of the local dealer.

Nightmare from start to finish.
Would trading standards get involved do you think?

P

[rosiecotton]

Trading Standards can't settle individual civil disputes as they don't have any enforcement powers in the civil courts.

Some TS departments can offer assistance and sometimes mediation, but that depends on their resources, all initial enquiries go through Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 and then *if* the local TS can assist further the case is referred to them to call back the consumer.

Ultimately only a court can resolve any civil dispute though.

I would suggest that you write to the garage where you purchased the car and state that the vehicle is not of satisfactory quality or fit for all normal purposes and therefore, in addition to the warranty, the car does not comply with the Sale of Goods Act.

I would suggest that if a satisfactory repair - returning the car to the condition you would expect of it - is not carried out within a reasonable time, you could potentially push to rescind the contract and claim a partial refund (you would have to allow for any use you have had from it, though if it has been continually in the garage and not done much mileage, you would have a possible argument for full refund, only a judge could decide).

[Perseus]

Thanks for the advice rosie.

I advise me ma to get writing.

Thanks again

Pers

[balloon1435]

Just read the last thread and could not agree more, unfortunately most garage service managers these days are more concerned with the purse strings of the franchise they work for not the satisfaction of it`s customers.
I know it may sound harsh and not possible with your folks, but the only way I got resolution out of Vauxhall was to abandon my car outside the main door of the company - throwing the keys at the MD and promising that when I had left his office I was heading straight for the local press to expose their poor level of customer satisfaction. Two weeks later my car was sorted and they had washed it!
I think a letter from your folks is better in this instance
You could always contact your local Citizen Advice and you are also entitled to a free solicitors appointment if they feel there is an injustice.

Liney, not a shiney

[Perseus]

Ah thanks Balloon...
Yeah, I think I'll be helping them compose a letter, with some appropriate excerpts from the Sale of Goods Act too.

Thanks for your replies
I'll post back with a copy of the letter, and any reply They get.

Thanks
Pers

[balloon1435]

Perseus,

Any luck with Vauxhall yet ?


Liney, not a shiney

[Perseus]

Hey balloon, sorry for the delay.

Mum's got Vauxhalls to agree to taking the car in to another garage for a road tes (50mile) with onboard computer and diagnosis equip.
If they're able to get a fault code, they'll repair the car free, there and then.
If not, "not a lot they can do".
Mum's giving them this last chance to get it sorted - then she'll be going Trading Standards, and if need be, go legal with the garage under sale of goods.

I'll update when the appointment is complete.

Thank you!

P

[balloon1435]

Best of luck.

Liney, not a shiney