cracked windscreen new to me car

annabel14

Hi Last week bought car from dealer. Paid deposit £500 on credit card, then £3,500 cash £2,500 debit card payment. Only the following day was it discovered that a sticker on the top of the passengers side widescreen was covering a crack. Got in touch with the dealers said they d get sales man to call . He did this two days later and apologised had been ill. Said he knew nothing of the crack , he even called the MOT centre that had issued certificate the day before they said no crack.He told me if the crack had been present the MOT would not have been issued. Our conversation remains very friendly and relaxed. He then suggested that I make a claim on my seven day aviva comp insurance.
he asked me to send pics of the crack so he could investigate and get back to me which I am still waiting for.Later on I discovered that pics I took at the time of the test drive on my mobile therefore timed and dated before it had been MOTd also show this sticker in place and the crack. I have not told him this as yet . My question is what are my next steps . Will appreciate any advise from those more experienced. Thanks in advance.

hartcjhart

the crack in the screen would not affect the MOT depending on position,
now if the sticker was 'new' and placed to cover it up would be a matter for you and the garage,you say you sent him the pics then he will know that you know,go talk face to face and ask for them to claim on their insurance to replace the screen

annabel14

The car is a mini and the sticker was a warning about airbags which my son said had been taken from possibly the doors to place on the windscreen. If he refuses to replace or repair screen do you know my options. It is a round trip of seventy miles and I would prefer not to have to make it . Is it reasonable for me to expect him to do as he aske d me to do and arrange on his insurance for windscreen people to come to my home to effect repair? thanks

Quentin

If the crack was there when you took it out for a test drive, why didn't you point it out at the time?

When you buy a second hand car it's up to you to check for things like this. No warranty covers broken windscreens!

To get back to your question, why not ask if they will reimburse you the excess you will have to pay to get it fixed on the free insurance they gave you?

annabel14

Crack was not noticed then as dealer had visor down all that could be seen was sticker which was bubbled up.with the sun shining on it it could not be seen . First time I've bought a car would def know another time.Thanks for your suggestions

harveybobbles

The crack would have to be in the drivers view for it to fail on MOT.

Politly tell the dealer that the sticker was there and you have photographic proof of this and tell them the times and dates of your phone piccies.

annabel14

Trader has verbally by phone asked me to claim on insurance and he will pay excess. This was only after being told of the pics which luckily are clear. Is this the way to go as he could always renege couldnt he. Have asked for email stating same but have not received one as yet. What do you think ? Any thoughts welcome.

hartcjhart

make sure you get the email first OR ask him to arrange someone to come and do it,if he has arranged it he is liable to pay the excess

annabel14

Thanks hart as you can see am out of my depth with this. I had already asked him to do as you say i.e. claim on their insurance and arrange for someone to come ou t to me. He said simpler all round if I make the claim as it wont loose my no claims and the insu. company will direct me to the garage they want me to use. Does that sound as it should.

hartcjhart

in that case find out how much the excess will cost and ask him to send a cheque for the ammount or get him to refund the ammount to your credit/debit card then get the job done. speak to your insurance company and ask which garage or screen company the want you to use,if lucky there may be one that will come to your house/workplace and do the job

Premier_2

annabel14 wrote: »

Trader has verbally by phone asked me to claim on insurance and he will pay excess. ....

Cheeky begger!

Remember, if you do this you will have to declare this claim to any insurer you request a quote from for the next few years.

A claim is a claim and must be disclosed ... although admitedly it shouldn't affect any NCB (but you never know what the insurer might load as you have made a claim)

Personally I think if he's prepared to pay the excess, he's admitting it is something he is liable for, so I think I'd get a quote for a replacement windscreen and be demanding a cheque for that.