Dealer misrepresented my car

Networkguy

chevvy wrote: »

It is very strange that the dealer has not argued about it and simply asked what do you want? They are not a small outfit but a very large multi national.

Not strange at all.

They know that they are in BIG trouble here and could get into a huge amount of trouble for this. You could easily argue that their actions were illegal and they know this.

So what do you want? A replacement vehicle?

They will want to keep this quiet so will be very accomodating as long as you don't take the mickey so maybe you should be looking for a replacement car of the same type but of course a UK version and newer with lower miles than yours.

You have had 3 years of use and I assume you have been happy during this time so be bold and ask for an outcome that YOU will be happy with. If they argue, offer to go public and legal with this and watch them back down very quickly.

pinkshoes

chevvy wrote: »

IIt is very strange that the dealer has not argued about it and simply asked what do you want?

I suppose you could ask for one of two things:

1) The difference in car price between that one, and the one you were supposed to have, along with any extra costs you are likely to incur such as insurance premiums, for the life of the car, along with any loss you might incur when it comes to selling an export.

or

2) They source an identical non-import version for you, at their expense, with the same milage etc...

I'm not surprised the dealer is wanting to cooperate, as they could get more than a little wrist slap for this! Perhaps they genuinely didn't know it was an import (although somewhat odd for a car dealer...), or maybe they did!

Tozer

pinkshoes wrote: »

I suppose you could ask for one of two things:

1) The difference in car price between that one, and the one you were supposed to have, along with any extra costs you are likely to incur such as insurance premiums, for the life of the car, along with any loss you might incur when it comes to selling an export.

or

2) They source an identical non-import version for you, at their expense, with the same milage etc...

I'm not surprised the dealer is wanting to cooperate, as they could get more than a little wrist slap for this! Perhaps they genuinely didn't know it was an import (although somewhat odd for a car dealer...), or maybe they did!

You could ask for option 2) although I think option 1) is the remedy which the OP is legally entitled to.

nomoneytoday

Seems strange. Was it a main dealer, or a car supermarket?

Wig

dmg24 wrote: »

Why has it taken you three years to discover this?

Because it is not outwardly obvious to a normal person, and presumably some chance encounter (or insurance claim) has brought it to light.

Wig

pinkshoes wrote: »

I suppose you could ask for one of two things:

1) The difference in car price between that one, and the one you were supposed to have, along with any extra costs you are likely to incur such as insurance premiums, for the life of the car, along with any loss you might incur when it comes to selling an export.

You are entitled to the difference of value *at the time of sale* plus interest, but not to extra insurance premiums, either now, or for the life of the car, you have to mitigate your losses (sell the car), there could be a claim for the extra cost of insurance until you are able to sell the car and if the insurance co. asks for a retrospective higher premium for the last 3 years that too could be claimed for. When you sell the car you are not entitled to anything, as you have already been compensated for its value at the time of sale.

2) They source an identical non-import version for you, at their expense, with the same milage etc...

That is a solution, but identical is pushing things too far, reasonably similar would be good enough. or

3) They buy back the car as though it were a UK model *at retail rate* Leaving you in a position to use the money to buy a similar car of equal value from a dealer of your choice.

Wig

chevvy wrote: »

Hi
I have just discovered that the car I purchased on my retirement in 2005, is an imported model and as such is going to cost more to insure. Although I have a document from the dealer stating that the car is NOT an import, the manufacturer tells me that from the chassis number details, my car was actually manufactured for the Cyprus market and was imported into the UK from Cyprus. I am rather annoyed to hear this news some three years down the line. What can I do? Any reasonable advice appreciated.

You can offer them 2 or 3 choices,

1. the difference of value at the time you bought it.

2. Choose a similar car in their yard, and say "I want to swap it for this one, assuming this one is not also imported."

3. Find a similar car for sale today that is not imported and ask them to buy yours back for the retail price of that car

To find out the value of (1.) you could instruct a consultant auto engineer to come up with a price difference, Obviously ask him if he can provide such a service and how much he will charge for the service, stressing that you want *retail* price difference *at the time of sale*. I don't think you can claim for the cost of the auto engineer from the dealer, unless the dealer disputes the amount and then you take them to court, using the auto engineers report as evidence, then you can claim for the cost of the report.

Tozer

I don't think selling the car is necessarily mitigating your loss. It would all depend on the circumstances.