Many problems with new car from dealer 2 weeks ago.

[Pete and claire]

Hi guys in need of some advice please.

Bought the other half an audi 80 on the 25/6/14 from a small dealer in poole, dorset

Paid £2750 with 3 months warranty and 12 months MOT. Car is a T on a 99 with fsh new cam belt on 77k

Noticed a few problems with the car on the day we bought it, steering was pulling to the left quite bad(she didn't notice on test drive)

Liquid coming out of heater dials on dash and the front end was clunking.

Phoned dealer about problems and was told to return the car on two occasions to get problems corrected.

 

Knocking seems fixed, liquid was he spilt oil he said so he cleaned it up and he got the tracking done.

 

Drove home and the car is still pulling quite bad to the left, this was last night, the dealer suggested that I take it to get the tracking done as they may not have adjusted it correctly.

 

The misses went to drive the car tonight, first time since bringing it back from poole ( first time properly in fact)and now won't start, battery is fine, electrics fine so I'm assuming it's the starter motor, tried to ring the dealer and it rang once then said answer phone so tried on the mrs phone and it rang all the way to answer phone so I think he may have blocked me, tried again just now on mrs phone and it rang once then to answer phone( he had my mrs number as I left mine at home on first trip up) now his phone is off.

 

Update.

Managed to get hold of the dealer, he is adamant that we have to get the car low loaded to his premises at our cost 30 miles away, he also said we have to pay for a new starter motor, so all in it will cost us another £300 approx, without the steering issues.

After numerous txt msg exchanges he agreed to come to our house to see if it may be a fuse.

 

He turned up this morning had a little poke around the car, and still says that we need to bring the car to him at our cost.

I said I will make a few calls and get in touch.

What do I do now and do we have a chance of rejecting the car, it's been problem after problem and only bought it 2 weeks ago.

Many thanks.

[BankFodder]

It's up to you of course but personally I would cut my losses and get rid of it. It sounds like a load of trouble and also it sounds like you have a dealer who is mainly uncooperative and seems to think that if you get a used car, then you have to take pot luck and you have to put up with what ever it is.

 

I would suggest that you write a letter detailing all of the problems and everything that has happened so far. If there are pictures to take – then take them. And then send him the letter and telling that because of this you are rejecting the car and that the contract is at an end.

 

Tell him to collect the car within seven days and if he doesn't then you will have transported to him and you will seek recovery of the costs of this from him alongside the recovery of the purchase price and any other expenses that you have incurred.

 

Let him know that if he will not take the car back under these conditions then you will begin a claim in the County Court within 14 days of the letter and without any further notice.

 

Don't make this threat if you don't intend to follow it through. It's not worth bluffing.

 

Bringing small claims in the County Court is extremely easy to do. You can spend your 14 days reading up a bit about it on this forum and elsewhere, getting yourself an account with moneyclaim which is the online court service which allows you to start a claim and pay for it and have it served very very quickly. It is excellent. Once you register on moneyclaim then you can start preparing your claim form. The claim form would be very simple it doesn't need any specially formal words. If the dealer doesn't fall into line at the end a 14 days – then on day 15 complete the claim and send him the good news. I'm afraid that with this kind of dealer I don't really see that you have much other alternative.

 

Once you have issued the claim you can let us know what the name of the dealer is. Incidentally, it will be very helpful to you if you can get a second independent opinion of the car and a full assessment of it – especially of its roadworthiness. It is an offence to sell a car which is not worthy and so if you find any defects in the car which make it unroadworthy then this will add grist to your mill.

[BankFodder]

By the way, don't do anything on the telephone – but if you must do then make sure you record the calls. Always record your calls when you're dealing with any kind of company including banks – in fact especially banks –, including second-hand car dealers (especially second-hand car dealers) – in fact everyone. If you record your calls you will never regret it – ever. If you don't record your calls then you will live to regret it

[Pete and claire]

Thank you ever so much for your very informative and helpful reply.

95% of our conversations have been through txt msg so have them saved.

It's a difficult one as the dealer does seem a fairly nice chap and has mended the knocking.

We paid full asking price for the car with a cam belt change( his idea) and 12 months mot.

 

On another note he said we have done 400miles in the car since we have owned it(from mot date reading) we have driven from Weymouth to the garage on 3 occasions with the problems which is around 150 miles other than that she has done about 4 school runs1/2 mile each way, to the Chinese once around 4/5 miles and shopping at the supermarket once around 5 miles, he had possession of the car overnight and for 2 days.

[Pete and claire]

Please help, are we liable for a low loader bill and paying for the part, he has offered to fix but we have to get the car to him 30 miles away.

[zumbanikki]

I think it would be better to pay the recovery charge to get the car back to him then claim it back later.

[Pete and claire]

Well Iv now written him a letter rejecting the car and wanting a full refunds as the car is not fit for purpose under the sale of goods act 1979(amended)

I have given him 14 days to act or we will go down the small claims court.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Pete and claire

[rebel11]

Hi pete

 

Here's some info:-

 

http://www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards/documents/Guidanceforsecondhandcardealers.pdf

[Pete and claire]

It's says in section 9.1 of Shetland that the dealer is NOT responsible for fair wear and tear,were the vehicle broke down or fault emerged through normal use.

Well the car broke down at my house 30 miles away 8days after sale, surely we are not responsible for the costs in the low loader? It will be around £200+.

[Pete and claire]

Bearing in mind we have returned the car every other time when a problem has arisen.

[zumbanikki]

for 30 miles it should be about 60/80 pounds for that journey

if you cant find anyone try xxxxxxxxx on the web

[Pete and claire]

for 30 miles it should be about 60/80 pounds for that journey

if you cant find anyone try xxxxxxxxx on the web

It's not the point surely!

The cost of transportation and the cost of the starter motor.

We paid full asking price in good faith.

Why should we be liable for all these extra costs.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Pete and claire

[GrahamMcLean]

Why don't you start the car with a bump then drive it to the garage.