Bought car from Arnold Clark - no service log

scottyw

I wonder if you can give me some advice on where I stand with Arnold Clark. I bought a one year old (07 plate) Ford Focus on 22nd April.
As soon as I got the car home, I noticed that their was no log book in the glove box and contacted Arnold Clark. On the test drive I was assured that the car had been fully serviced and in fact had just been serviced prior to arriving in Kilmarnock (at 22,000 miles) - this obviously was part of the deal to get me to buy.
After a number of telephone conversations and promises that the service log book will be with me shortly (this has went on for the past couple of months!), I have now been told that although the car was definitely serviced, they cannot attribute this to a particular date and therefore cannot stamp up a log book for me. I was also told not to worry as any outstanding warranty would still stand as they "know the car's history". This claim was made last week!
I replied that I needed a full service history as without it I may have issues selling on the car when the time comes. As it stands i do not believe Arnold Clark can supply me with a logbook, showing a service at 12,500 miles, and a further one prior to me buying the car at 22,000 miles. I would not have bought the car if I was aware it would not be supplied with a log book.
Do I have any rights here? What should my next step be? Any advice much appreciated.

Scott.

harveybobbles

Contact the previous owner and ask them if they still have the book in their kitchen drawer or ask them where they had the car serviced and contact that garage.
Try any Ford garage and ask them to look it up on the OASIS system - assuming they have used a Ford garage.

In the mean time just keep moaning to Arnold Clark...!!!

markelock

is it not possible to buy a new book from the main dealer and get them to stamp it? I had a similar issue, bought one (from alfa) and got the dealer to pay for it (worth agreeing in advance of course)

scottyw

Thanks for the replies, guys.
They have refused to stamp up a fresh log book, as they claim the service was done before the car was brought up to the dealership and they cannot supply a definitive date for the service, so won't stamp a new book. I have also asked Arnold Clark to do a fresh service now, but again they have refused, saying the car has already just been serviced!! They cannot however offer me anything in writing referencing the service!
I am now wondering how to tackle this, as they obviously hope by saying no, over and over, that I will just go away. They are driving me nuts!!

Scott

Jvic28

harveybobbles wrote: »

Contact the previous owner and ask them if they still have the book in their kitchen drawer or ask them where they had the car serviced and contact that garage.
Try any Ford garage and ask them to look it up on the OASIS system - assuming they have used a Ford garage.

In the mean time just keep moaning to Arnold Clark...!!!

Oasis does not show services carried out, only warranty work.

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Jvic28

markelock wrote: »

is it not possible to buy a new book from the main dealer and get them to stamp it? I had a similar issue, bought one (from alfa) and got the dealer to pay for it (worth agreeing in advance of course)

You would need to take it to the garage that serviced it for them to stamp it. If you knew where the car was based you could try calling Ford garrages in the area. Being a 2007 with 22000 miles it should have had one service at 12,500 and another due at 25,000 miles.

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markelock

I wonder if they could supply servicing information if you took them to the small claims court for misrepresentation of the vehicle (having been serviced with no information to back it up)

call trading standards, they may also suggest citizens advice. AC are trying to fob you off.

ask if you can buy a new car and see how fast they move to help you!

Jvic28

scottyw wrote: »

I was also told not to worry as any outstanding warranty would still stand as they "know the car's history"

You do still have a warranty even if the servicing isn't up to date providing the item isn't something done on the service. Eg. if you have a leaking oil filter then this would have been spotted and changed on the service. However, if you have a faulty indicator relay then this wouldn't be a servicable item and can be replaced under warranty.

You don't need a stamped book to keep the full warranty either, just an invoice showing that the car is serviced to a Ford Schedule using parts of the same quality to Ford parts.

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Jvic28

Not sure if Arnold Clark are on the One Link system but you may be able to get a copy invoice from a dealer if they are.

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taxiphil

I'd be looking at suing (or threatening to sue in the first instance) for diminution in the car's value due to misrepresentation.

A car of that age and value would certainly be worth less if you were to sell it today because of the lack of service history. It's an intrinsic part of the car's value - and it's missing.

A verbal assurance that servicing has been carried out carries no value in the motor trade.

Wig

It would be reasonable to expect a car sold as 'FSH' to have that history intact and in a verifiable form. As the info has not been provided, the goods are not of satisfactory quality IMHO.

Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as ammended by Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994)

Sale by description. (not sure if this applies, but it is at least relevant I think)
13 (1) Where there is a contract for the sale of goods by description, there is an implied that the goods will correspond with the description.

Section 14
(2A) For the purposes of this Act, goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances.


So what can you do? Well Trading standards would be the best place to start.

You might be able to reject it, or you might be able to sue for damages, but you would have to determine what value has been lost. Small claims limit is £5000 which is why most would advise to sue for the loss in value rather than the possibly high risk of suing for the full refund which will be more than £5K