Dealer Refusing to Refund Deposit

fatcat168

I placed a deposit for new car for delivery in July/August with a £500 deposit in April.
At the time of ordering, I informed the dealer I have yet to pass my driving test and I am a housewife dependant on income from my husband but all the paperwork was to be in my name. The dealer said that was ok and I only had to produce bank statements in order to obtain finance approval.

The car arrived mid June which was fine as my practical test was due end of June anyways but 2 days before my test, the dealer rang me to say that I now had to have a full UK licence before the finance was granted.

Cutting the story short, I failed my test and the next re-test is not until September. The dealer still insists I have to pick up to car within 14 days or my deposit will be forfited or they can keep the car for me as long as I write a letter to state I will take the car regardless if I pass the test or not!!!! As I have not passed my test, they cannot offer any finance to me and are refusing to refund my deposit.

I believe the salesman was too eager to sell the car but the are making me the feel like the guilty party. The have stated that I have signed for them to provide me a car and it is not their responsibility to provide finance for me. (even though they informed me that the finance was agreed back in April)!!!!!

Where do I stand? pls advise.. I did pay the deposit with my Amex card and have raised this problem with them.
No finance agreement has been signed , I have sent the dealer letter demanding they return my deposit within 14 days.
Consumer advice been infomed and a case has been setup for me .

Do you think I will get my deposit back???? Anymore I can do.. I am very worried

Thanks

anewman

Is it not possible to change everything to your husband's name somehow?

Also bear in mind that £500 isn't much to lose compared with the thousands you'll be throwing away on finance. £500 can also buy you an entire car.

logana

Am I missing something here - what is the connection between buying a car and having a licence. Since when did a finance company ask for a driving licence ??

fatcat168

anewman wrote: »

Is it not possible to change everything to your husband's name somehow?

Also bear in mind that £500 isn't much to lose compared with the thousands you'll be throwing away on finance. £500 can also buy you an entire car.

After how they mis-sold me the car and the "customer service" .. No thanks... just want my money back. I would not have put the deposit down if I knew I could not obtain the finance on my own which I did state to them at the time I placed the deposit

fatcat168

logana wrote: »

Am I missing something here - what is the connection between buying a car and having a licence. Since when did a finance company ask for a driving licence ??

The finance company is refusing me finance unless I have a full UK license. Only found out 2 days before I was due to pick up the car..

in51der

fatcat168 wrote: »

I placed a deposit for new car for delivery in July/August with a £500 deposit in April.
At the time of ordering, I informed the dealer I have yet to pass my driving test and I am a housewife dependant on income from my husband but all the paperwork was to be in my name. The dealer said that was ok and I only had to produce bank statements in order to obtain finance approval.

The car arrived mid June which was fine as my practical test was due end of June anyways but 2 days before my test, the dealer rang me to say that I now had to have a full UK licence before the finance was granted.

Cutting the story short, I failed my test and the next re-test is not until September. The dealer still insists I have to pick up to car within 14 days or my deposit will be forfited or they can keep the car for me as long as I write a letter to state I will take the car regardless if I pass the test or not!!!! As I have not passed my test, they cannot offer any finance to me and are refusing to refund my deposit.

I believe the salesman was too eager to sell the car but the are making me the feel like the guilty party. The have stated that I have signed for them to provide me a car and it is not their responsibility to provide finance for me. (even though they informed me that the finance was agreed back in April)!!!!!

Where do I stand? pls advise.. I did pay the deposit with my Amex card and have raised this problem with them.
No finance agreement has been signed , I have sent the dealer letter demanding they return my deposit within 14 days.
Consumer advice been infomed and a case has been setup for me .

Do you think I will get my deposit back???? Anymore I can do.. I am very worried

Thanks

I guarantee you will get your deposit back, all you need to do is find out who is in charge, i.e. the brand manager/or general manager, call him then write to him, explain your situation and how you feel that you have been misled they will not want the aggravation but you should also threaten legal action as they are not within their rights to retain the deposit based on the info you have supplied, the salesman just wants his commission and had he not been so eager at the time he would have informed you that it is very difficult to obtain finance without a full driving licence and if you have signed documents stating that the balance is to be financed by the dealers sources then how are they expecting you to pay the balance?! The salesman is a chancer don’t give up, ring everyday and if it is a franchised dealer call the manufacturer and complain to them, no dealer can afford to upset a customer in today’s market so don’t give up you will get that money back if you complain to the right person. Best of luck.