Car has a fault

[gareth19]

On 18th October I p/x my car for a Nissan Primera at a second hand car dealership in Warrington. However when I got it home and after reading the manual I found that the CD autochanger in the centre console was not working. I popped the car to a local auto electrician to see if what a simple matter of a loose connection etc. However he told me that in his view the processor was not working and it is an expensive fix. He advised me to take the car back to where I got it from.

Now the garage is around 170 miles from where I live so it is a bit of an inconvenience. I telephoned the garaga explaining the situation and I was told "well I don't really know what to suggest". Then he told me he would get back to me (which he hasn't). On 24th October I sent him a letter via recorded delivery telling him the situation. I advised them I could either take the car back to them for them to fix the problem or I would do it in my local area and send them the estimates and bills etc. I have had no response to my letter.

Please advise me on what I can do in this situation.

Many thanks!!

[Conniff]

The letter was only posted 4 days ago, so give them a little more time, it is normal to give 10 to 14 days for a response. Have you checked on the Royal Mail website to see if it has been signed for? It might also be a bit early to see those details as they can take a week or more.

[totiesquoties]

hi gareth19,

as has already been said, it is too soon to receive a reply from them yet, you can check either on line or by phone on the telephone number on your recorded delivery receipt when it was delivered and signed for, but your receipt will say to leave x amount of hours/days before you do this, you did the right thing writing to them and sending recorded delivery, give them at least 3 weeks to come back to you, if no joy then, post again and advice will be given what to do next, hope this helps totiesquoties.

[gareth19]

Thank you. The Royal Mail website still shows that the letter is being progressed through their network for delivery. This is taking a long time as the woman in the post office said it would probably be delivered the day after I posted it. Anyway I am only concerned as the car dealer told me I had a 30 day warranty so I am just worried that the longer this drags out he can turn around and tell me it is over the time period. Anyway I will leave it a little longer as you both suggest. Thanks for your advice!

[Conniff]

Do they not have an email account that you could contact them through ?

 

What did you say in your letter Gareth?

[gareth19]

Do they not have an email account that you could contact them through ?

 

What did you say in your letter Gareth?

 

Yes they have not respsonded to my email either. As I said he did promise to "look into it and phone me back" when I rang him 7 days ago but not heard a thing.

 

In my letter I pretty much outlined the situation like I did on the phone to him. I told him that I can either bring the car back to him to fix or I can get it sorted at my local garage and he can pick up the bill. Failing that I said I would return the car and take back my p/x car and my money and I will look for the car from somewhere else.

 

Just really looking to know where I stand and what is the best way forward I guess.

[gareth19]

Just noticed in the small print he has actually written "30 day engine & gearbox warranty". So I am just wondering what the law states in my case. Is he liable to fix the fault and can I pursue him for it? If so how? Or shall I just hand him the car back and take my money back?

[Conniff]

Don't take any notice of that 30 day rubbish, it means nothing and isn't even legal.

 

I don't think a cd changer not working would be grounds enough to reject the car, so you keep going the route you have already taken.

 

Email again this morning asking if they have decided which way to go on your cd changer. Keep the letter formal but light at present.

 

Was it advertised with cd changer?

[gareth19]

Don't take any notice of that 30 day rubbish, it means nothing and isn't even legal.

 

I don't think a cd changer not working would be grounds enough to reject the car, so you keep going the route you have already taken.

 

Email again this morning asking if they have decided which way to go on your cd changer. Keep the letter formal but light at present.

 

Was it advertised with cd changer?

 

Yes on the advert it actually says "Radio/CD". I mean if it was a job of say £50-£100 I would probably cut my losses and just get it done but when I took it to the auto electrician he said it is a "very expensive fix". I don't see why I should have to pay for an expensive fix when I was not made aware it wasn't working. Had he told me that I may well have rejected the car. Who wants a car without a CD player nowadays?

[scaniaman]

YES Please

[Hammy1962]

Some people like the sound of their own voice........................

 

H

[grahamengineering]

Yes on the advert it actually says "Radio/CD". I mean if it was a job of say £50-£100 I would probably cut my losses and just get it done but when I took it to the auto electrician he said it is a "very expensive fix". I don't see why I should have to pay for an expensive fix when I was not made aware it wasn't working. Had he told me that I may well have rejected the car. Who wants a car without a CD player nowadays?

 

You could always just stick an after market CD player into the car. Get one for £20 from a breakers or from £50 new in the shops. If the seller had used his loaf that is exactly what he should of offered as then the car would completely fulfill what was advertised. Even if he wanted to be twisted he could of said bring the motor down and we will fit a new stereo for you.

[gareth19]

The garage has phoned me today. They are naturally willing to fix the auto changer but he wants me to take it out of the car and send it off to him (he will refund postage he says). He will then get it fixed and he will post it back to me. Is it me or is this a harder way of doing it. I have looked into it and it seems taking the autochanger out invloves dismantling part of the dashboard etc.

[Conniff]

Are you certain it's the autochanger which is usually in the boot?

[gareth19]

Are you certain it's the autochanger which is usually in the boot?

 

Yes it is 6 cd autochanger in the centre console. I have looked into taking it out and sending it to the garage as they suggested and it looks like a major operation including dismantling the dashboard. I have told him I am not willing to do this as I am not a car technician and may damage something. We have agreed that I will take the car to him and leave it with him for him to fix it so fingers crossed we may now get somewhere