Please help...problem with car from dealership

needahol

UPDATE ON PAGE 2

Hi

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on the following, I'll keep as brief as poss..

My niece (19) bought her first car from a supposedly reputable dealer in May. The car is a Punto on an 05 plate. Within 2 days, she was having problems starting it so it went back. They had it for 2 months before returning it to her on Tues of this week but I've just had a call from her to say it's broken again!

Unfortunately, the car was bought on finance through the dealership. When they were dragging their feet over repairing the car, she threatened to cancel her direct debit but they have scared her by saying she is legally obliged to pay, having signed the agreement and cancellation would have needed to be done within 28 days.

At one point, because of the difficulties they were having fixing the car, they offered her the option to choose another. However, when they came to talk finances, they were giving her a lower figure than she paid for the Punto, stating that the price had depreciated since she bought it. The only thing they would offer her for the same monthly payments was a Corsa lite which was a year older, which she declined.

Anyhow, she has now asked me to go to the dealership with her at 2pm today as she feels like she's banging her head against a brick wall. I've said I'll go but have no idea what I should be looking for from them.

Can anyone offer any advice in terms of the implications of cancelling the direct debit, legal obligations on the part of the dealership, etc.

Thanks in anticipation.

jeannieblue

I don't know the law - sadly - but I would NOT put up with this - bluff it if need be.

Tell them that you will contact Trading Standards, Watchdog, FSA and any other organisation you can think of. It depreciated mostly whilst THEY had it for goodness sake. Sale of Goods Act??

You need Harveybobbles really - who may not be online - try a pm.

Good luck. I think they are trying to pull a fast one here..... be strong.

Next time, don't buy a Fiat... and not from them.

jeannieblue

I've PM'd Harveybobbles - and hopefully they are about....

needahol

Thanks jeannieblue. I appeciate your help.

Coupon-mad

I found this link from a quick Google, don't know it it will help:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38071.html

You are still within the first six months so you have more options under Government legislation at the moment I think. Might be worth printing out a copy to refer back to if the dealer doesn't sort it out properly.

Pretty sure they can't take off depreciation for a faulty car, haven't read it all but the info looks useful. The Sale of Goods Act and Supply of Goods & Services legislation both apply to cars, don't let the Dealer tell you otherwise. Good luck.

HTH

needahol

Coupon-mad wrote: »

I found this link from a quick Google, don't know it it will help:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38071.html

You are still within the first six months so you have more options under Government legislation at the moment I think. Might be worth printing out a copy to refer back to if the dealer doesn't sort it out properly.

Pretty sure they can't take off depreciation for a faulty car, haven't read it all but it looks useful.

HTH

Thank you so much!!! My printer isn't working so I'm frantically writing some points down.

I'm off down there in 5 mins - wish me luck!!

montypython_3

Sorry only just seen this and you're already there however:

The fact she bought it on dealer finance is great news for her. Speak to the finance provider as they own the vehicle it is their problem as much as your Niece'.

Explain to them the problems and advise them you are wanting to reject the vehicle as it is not fit for purpose. They will then get onto the dealer and give them an ear bashing.

The dealer will not want to lose their vehicle funders through one problem car I am sure.

Hope this helps

Alias_Omega

Whats wrong with the car.?

Maybe its something we can advise upon, or point you to the correct internet forum for a repair if its a common fault.

jeannieblue

montypython wrote: »

Sorry only just seen this and you're already there however:

The fact she bought it on dealer finance is great news for her. Speak to the finance provider as they own the vehicle it is their problem as much as your Niece'.

Explain to them the problems and advise them you are wanting to reject the vehicle as it is not fit for purpose. They will then get onto the dealer and give them an ear bashing.

The dealer will not want to lose their vehicle funders through one problem car I am sure.

Hope this helps

Of course! I saw something on TV a few weeks back about something like this - the finance company owning the car etc, and it got all sorted.

Blast, wish I had recalled that earlier......

Wonder how they are doing?

jeannieblue

Alias_Omega wrote: »

Whats wrong with the car.?

Maybe its something we can advise upon, or point you to the correct internet forum for a repair if its a common fault.

I don't think that is the point to be honest. I don't feel that the poor girl should have to deal with all that, bad enough that she hasn't had the chance to use the car hardly at all since she has purchased it.

Its not up to her to find the fault and get it repaired.

Maybe we should get the dealer 'named and shamed'.

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

I don't think that is the point to be honest. I don't feel that the poor girl should have to deal with all that, bad enough that she hasn't had the chance to use the car hardly at all since she has purchased it.

Its not up to her to find the fault and get it repaired.

Maybe we should get the dealer 'named and shamed'.

more naming and shaming jeannie,you will end up in jail if you keep this up!

i would stand my ground with the dealer,they have sold you a car that you have been paying for to be stood in thier garage,i would be wanting it replaced with similar and possibly something extra as a good will gesture as you havent had any use from the car.

let us know how you get on at the dealer when you get back.