buying used car-lost deposit?

divermatty

Hi,

I'd really appreciate some advice if anybody knows where we stand on this? We are in the process of buying a used car from a dealer, saw it last week and paid £500 deposit. There were some minor repairs which I asked the garage to complete before I collected it today, including a crack in the windscreen (in driver's view). I got these in writing.

However, when I went to collect the car today, the chip was still very obvious. The garage state they have completed the repair, but I am not satisfied with it as I think it would fail MOT in the current state. I have asked for my deposit back and they have refused.

I will not take the car in its current state, but I feel my deposit is being unfairly taken because the repairs are not to my satisfaction. Am I right or do they have the right to keep it? This could not be resolved tonight, and I am trying to decide what to do before I speak to them again tomorrow. The dealer is about 60 miles away so it is a hassle and expensive to keep going back and forth on the train.

I will walk away from the car and the deposit if necessary. I have been lurking on here for a while and seen the useful advice people give, so thought I would try asking on the off-chance someone can help.

Thank you for reading.

hartcjhart

crack or chip????

divermatty

Sorry, that wasn't clear
It's a chip with a tiny crack, about 3-4mm

Equaliser123

How much are you paying for the car? Pulling out of a deal like this does not automatically mean you lose your deposit.

divermatty

We agreed £6150

squack

i would tell them 6 grand as it stands

buy the car

run it for a few weeks then ring my insurance and get a brand new windscreen for sixty quid

simples

d123

squack wrote: »

run it for a few weeks then ring my insurance and get a brand new windscreen for sixty quid

simples

can I also ring your insurance if I get a chip in my windscreen

CM66

I had a chip repaired by autoglass a few weeks back and although it was still visible, the screen was fully repaired and driveable as was accepted by my HP company when I returned the car a week later.

Hope that helps!

divermatty

Ok thanks for the replies everyone! It's all been really helpful.