Buying Second hand from a dealer/supermarket - extended warranty versus SoGA

Theo_Cupier

Thanks Harvey, I think we're getting near the point here...

I understand what you're saying about doing it in house and being flexible. I guess my question is that if I had declined the extended warranty and come to you saying "this <major issue> has happened only 3 months after buying a car from you. Hence the vehicle was not merchantable quality when I purchased it. So the repair should be covered under SoGA" do you believe I would be correct in terms of consumer law (assuming I'm not being an ar5e about it like it seems from this! )?

harveybobbles

SOGA is a very grey area. If a customer comes in quoting the SOGA then that usually means that they havent got a penny to their name, live beond their means and want everything for nothing.

Harsh, but true.

bushcaro

Hi All,
I am picking up a new car next Sat - and would like an extended warranty for peace of mind. I have been quoted £299 for 12 months and £449 for 24 months up to £1k per claim.
( with Coverdrive) . Can anyone recommend a good (cheaper) one to go with please.
Thanks

Hintza

OP you will never get a definitive answer on this.

You can run around quoting SOGA but the garage can still tell you to get lost and then your only remedy will be the courts and who says you would win.

If you are really worried then a warranty might be for you (but as you are aware they might not cover a particular eventuality).

Might be better paying for a full report from say the AA (I don't know if you have any comeback though, you will need to check)

One other quick point I could trash a brand new clutch within half a day if I really put my mind to it so everything is very very grey unfortunately!

Theo_Cupier

Thanks Hintza.

I appreciate there are lots of shades of grey in this discussion, I was just trying to identify if there were any more clear cut areas that could be highlighted.

I appreciate SoGA is going to protect me less and less the longer things go after purchase, while a warranty will offer me full protection for items covered for its duration (noting the issue farmerboy raised). Clearly the warranty is the way to go for absolute peace of mind. I guess that leads on to the discussion about which warranty providers are the best, but that feels like it could be a different thread - unless someone can point to a useful existing thread.

I also appreciate that marching in to one's car salesman's office shouting SoGA is no way to conduct this, but I was trying to get a feel of the extent to which second hand car purchases are covered. I'm sorry that harveybobbles felt unable to give his view as a "Trading Standards Approved Motor Trader", rather than just making social stereotypes about people who know consumer law. Maybe the best option is for me to take it up with the dealer as and when I buy.

emmell

If you buy from a reputable local dealer who has an established business they will usually try to help with problems, but some people think the 2nd hand car they have bought should have a lifetime warranty. You get good dealers and bad dealers, you also get good customers and bad customers.
ML.

harveybobbles

Well we've been trading for over 20 years and the only people in our experience who quote ever the SOGA are scumbags, generally.

Theo_Cupier

So leaving aside your opinions of consumers who know their rights, would you care to comment on how you see your obligations to buyers under consumer protection law, given that it's the subject of the thread?

harveybobbles

Well if a customer came back with a serious fault outside of our 30 day warranty then we'd be unhappy, but we'd also do our best to make sure that their car is off the road for as short as possible - either recommending a garage to go or doing the work in house atcost or charge the customer for the parts and do it for free labour.

A turbo went on a customers BMW 320d a while ago and while they had had it over 6 months we got the customer to pay foir the turbo and we did free fitting.

I stand by my comment above though regarding the SOGA and scumbags. The only time the SOGA gets mentioned to us is when said customer has no money and they think they know the law. When in reality they have probably read a thread on t'internet somewhere...

olly300

Theo_Cupier wrote: »

So leaving aside your opinions of consumers who know their rights, would you care to comment on how you see your obligations to buyers under consumer protection law, given that it's the subject of the thread?

I suggest you look at the consumer direct website. They give clear information about buying a car.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/before_you_buy/thinking_about/cars/dealer

If you inspect the car, or someone does so for you, the dealer may not be liable for any faults which should have been uncovered by the inspection. It's a good idea to get a description of the vehicle's condition from the dealer: ask whether there is a pre-sale inspection checklist.