New Used car is faulty

slimer3k

Hi,

I bought an 03 Focus from a dealer 3 days ago (23/9/09). The next day the alternator light came on for a few miles going down the motorway, but I was in a hurry and had no time to do anything about it.

Yesterday (25/9/09) I drove up to Cambridge (about 100 miles from where I am from). On the way up, the ABS light came on for about 15 miles, then was coming on and off for the rest of the journey.

Today, I went to start the car and the battery was flat, despite the fact that nothing was left on that could run down the battery.

What should I do? I have since found out that there is a fault in some ford dashes that can cause electrical problems.

Should I reject the car as it was sold with a fault? Or should I get them to pay for a new dash from Ford?

Thanks for all/any advice!

hewhoisnotintheknow

i assume the light wasnt on when you got it, if not it wasnt sold with a fault

things like this happen, take it back and ask em to look at it

EssexHebridean

Yes - as above, Keep it light and pleasant but firm, and see what they say. Most dealers will agree to sort out something like that as it's come on so quickly after purchase, just to keep your goodwill.

slimer3k

There is known fault with these dashes (not to me at the time). The dash is faulty, and by a known defect so surley the car had the fault when it as sold to me? Ford replace them apperently for £99. But I don't want to be paying that! And what about the battery draining?

hewhoisnotintheknow

it was fine when you got it, its just a coincidence, ask the bloke see what he says

Money_Grabber13579

Is it possible that if the alternator wasn't working correctly, then the battery might not be charging? Hence the flat battery? Or am I confusing things?

slimer3k

The battery was being charged, I know because I drove a good 2 hours in the dark. Also, when I got out of the car last night the lights were still normal before i switched them off.

Thanks for the comments, I'll ring on Monday and ask him. I would like to know exactly what I can expect him to do though in case he says 'sorry mate, it's not my problem'.

There is a 3 month warranty, but it doesn't cover the dash.

Money_Grabber13579

Did the car try to turn over, or was there just a clicking sound?

It would take more power to start the car than run a set of lights as well though. Or you could just have a duff battery.

slummymummyof3

If there is an alternator problem, then you will end up with nothing working.

I think, regardless of whether the 'dash' is covered or not by the warranty as you say, you can clearly demonstrate that there are issues within a very short time frame and the dealer will need to rectify these, as the car is not 'fit for purpose'.

Trading standards website has some excellent info on problems with used cars and are very helpful if you phone them. Even if it is second hand, you do have some redress.

Phone the dealer in the morning and explain the situation and give them the opportunity to rectify the fault(s) - they are likely to be accomodating as you have only had the car a few days.

slimer3k

Thanks Slummy, that's what I was thinking.

The car battery was completely flat, although I'm a bit suspicious. It was so flat that NOTHING would work, when I turned the key on a feint light came from the bulbs in the dash. But the car started instantly when I jumped it, and the radio was still coded.

goldspanners

slimer3k wrote: »

The car battery was completely flat, although I'm a bit suspicious. It was so flat that NOTHING would work, when I turned the key on a feint light came from the bulbs in the dash.

because you had the headlights on for 2 hours maybe?
or is that too obvious?

why you would want to reject it i dont know. there a good chance the alternator is playing up or your battery is dead, seen as its been lying on a garage fourcourt for god knows how long i would be inclined to say it might just be the battery.