Bought second hand car yesterday- fault developed within 12 miles. HELP!!!

slummymummyof3

I really need some help and advice. I bought a second hand car yesterday from a car dealer and left the showroom at 17:25 - A Nissan micra 1.5dci. Took it for a test drive around the town at speeds of 30-40mph and all seemed fine. Agreed to purchase it @ £3250 including trading in my 13 year old car. After driving 12 miles, the engine warning management light came on when I reached 70mph on the motorway. Phoned the garage but they had shut. When I reduced my speed due to congestion, the light went out but as soon as I increased my speed to 70mph it came back on again.

Phoned the garage this morning and said that I wished to return the car and have a refund and my old car back, only to be told they had already got rid of my car (within 10 minutes of opening allegedly!) I need to take the car to a nissan dealer in order to have the fault identified and have zero confidence in the car and just wish that I had taken the financial leap to use the scrappage scheme as I would have had £5250 towards a new one (but have just handed in my notice so didn't want to - if I could avoid it committ to further monthly outgoings - I am the second wage earner in our household) I know I need to take the car to a main dealer to get the fault identified initially but am really worried sick.

Having looked on trading standards website it says that if the car develops a fault you can take it back and request a refund within a short period of time. However, if it is a major problem, I have no longer got my trusty 13 year old banger to get £2k scrappage allowance against and am frightened sick of buying another 2nd hand can of worms. Any suggestions.....I am slightly stuffed as without the £2k scrappage I just can't afford to go new even if I get a full refund for the micra

minnie123

I don't think buying new even with the scrappage allowance is a good idea - new cars are still a rip off in my opinion. You have had one bad experience with a second hand car but that is not the norm. I have always had second hand cars and never had any major problem - most cars I have had no problems with. Just get another second hand car.

goldspanners

i wouldnt lose faith so quickly, it might just be a simple sensor, these things happen with cars unfortunatly, get it to a nissan dealer and get the dealer you bought it from to pick up the tab.

hewhoisnotintheknow

at least give them a chance, surely if it has a warranty its upto them to sort it out

slummymummyof3

I will need to get a refund from the dealer in order to go and buy another car and thats if I can get it out of them. The reason I didn't buy a new car was because of the depreciation etc but I wish to god that I had now just for the piece of mind. My problem is, the dealer is 1 hour and 20 mins away and I need to get to work as well. Just don't know what to do really. Bought the car for reliability and piece of mind because I do a lot of driving on my own and in fact I wish I had just kept my old one - better the devil you know and all that! Am just worried sick that I have been shafted.

BillTrac

slummymummyof3,

you need to get the car back to the dealer and let them sort it.

gazzak_2

Chill out. If it was serious it would happen at 30-40. It's likely to be minor. The dealer will sort it out, but take it to a local garage first thing tomorrow to find out exactly what the problem is. Buying new is for mugs, go for it :rolleyes:.

barak

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

I need to take the car to a nissan dealer in order to have the fault identified .....

That's right! Don't give up until you have had a Nissan Main Dealer check your car!

slummymummyof3

I am just so worried about it, I can't afford to have bought a can of worms. I changed my car for reliability and reassurance as I travel a lot on my own. How am I supposed to have confidence in the damn thing?

goldspanners

a quick google suggests it could be an engine sensor or a wiring fault, apparently the wiring looms in these micras and the renault clio are both very poor quality (renault and nissan own bits of each other)

minnie123

I know it's hard but try not to worry it's prob something minor - things can go wrong with any car even brand new ones!! for all you know your old car may have just packed up or be about to. Just try not to worry and get it back to the dealer.