used car at arnold clark, tyre problems

baxtersdad

I purchased a used 54 reg Megane Scenic at arnold paisley (vauxhall). As part of the deal the garage agreed to give it a service and that if any tyres needed changed then they would do that too, the policy for changing is if the tyres were at less than 3mm. I had the tyres checked independantly after purchase and was recommended to have them changed as they were around 3mm accross the middle but 2mm at the sides. I went to AC to complain and after much argueing they will only give me a discount of 50% of new tyres. They are roughly £20 more expensive per tyre than my local Kwik fit per tyre, so the saving will only be around 25%.
Whilst i was in AC the man himself, Sir Arnold, was in visiting and asked me what was wrong, I explained but he seemed pretty disinterested too! :mad: I at least thought he would have been able to help!
There were many other couples in complaining about similar issues!
I have since gone back to the manager at AC, who said he probably wont match the price I found at Kwik Fit!
This car has already been off the road for a repair two days after I got it and now this with the tyres!
what should I do??? Should I accept the offer they have given or push for more? Or because it is a used car do I just have to accept their offer and count myself lucky??

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Tyres dont need changed unless their under the legal limit.

An Arnold Clark suggestion isnt binding and unless you specifically stated that they had to be over 3mm then you dont have much comeback.

If the offer saves money on kwik fit you may as well accept.

goldspanners

have you tried some of the internet comapnies like blackcircles?
i rarely hear of anyone telling a good story about arnold clark, i even went myself a few years ago and found the attitude of the salesmen i dealt with terrible, one was completely uninterested in and the other guy had not even the slightest clue about anything he was trying to sell me. i would pay more for a car at another company just to avoid any kind of dealings with this bunch of chancers.

custardy

if he price matched kwikfit then you would be paying 25% more ???
the tyres are legal and dont 'need' changed
you should have checked them before finalising the deal if it was a deal breaker for you

Tally-Ho_2

Well, I would accept their offer re Kwikfit.

A friend of mine bought a car from Arnold Clarks. They had put two new tyres on before delivery, however the tyres they had put on were the cheapest possible of some make no one had heard of and had hardly any grip at all in the dry, let alone in the wet. She had to buy two new branded tyres to replace them within a month.

So rather than let them fit cr&p, it might be worthwhile choosing your own and taking their contribution.

Tal

molerat

baxtersdad wrote: »

Whilst i was in AC the man himself, Sir Arnold, was in visiting and asked me what was wrong, I explained but he seemed pretty disinterested too! :mad: I at least thought he would have been able to help!

Now you know where the level of customer service comes from. He rules the company with an iron fist. The mechanics even have to buy their tools from the boss, no other tool company is allowed on site.

zappahey

Mrsmoneypenny wrote: »

But we did learn a very important lesson for next time.

Don't buy a car from Arnold Shark?

Armengar

2mm is perfectly legal. 2mm tyres on the back of a front wheel drive car will last for quite a while still. Id not be happy about 2mm on the front, I change front tyres at about 2mm personally. I guess you also had the chance to check the tyres before you bought it?

Not AC fault here i'd say. 25% discount is better than 0% discount IMHO.

goldspanners

molerat wrote: »

Now you know where the level of customer service comes from. He rules the company with an iron fist. The mechanics even have to buy their tools from the boss, no other tool company is allowed on site.

seriously? i never knew that. why on earth would you want to work for a conman like this?

Smi1er

Armengar wrote: »

2mm is perfectly legal. 2mm tyres on the back of a front wheel drive car will last for quite a while still. Id not be happy about 2mm on the front, I change front tyres at about 2mm personally. I guess you also had the chance to check the tyres before you bought it?

Not AC fault here i'd say. 25% discount is better than 0% discount IMHO.

You have that the wrong way round. On a FWD you need most thread at the back

molerat

goldspanners wrote: »

seriously? i never knew that. why on earth would you want to work for a conman like this?

They don't actually have to buy them from him but the usual vans are not allowed on site so it is difficult to get replacement or warranty without having to wait. It is far easier for them to use Arnolds system. The Halfords HO trade sales man tried to visit once and was physically thrown off site.

My son used to work as a rental operative for them and was amazed at the practices that went on. Say yes to every booking even if you don't have a vehicle then try to get one. If you can't then tough on the customer, when they turn up tell them it has broken down !!