free service promised when buying car

peachschnappes

When I bought my car (new) last April, I was promised by the pushy salesman he would tax the car for a year (which he did) and also my first service would be free.

It's now time for a service and when I booked it in, I mentioned the free service offered, but they informed that unless I had something in writing (which I don't) I would have to pay.

The guy who sold me my car has now left - sod's law!!

any advice on what to do or what to push for?!

bingo_bango

It's an unwritten contractual term, and because the employee you negotiated with has now left, they only have your word for it.

Certainly any such discussion forms part of the antecedent negotiations surrounding the contract, but how can you prove that? If you really wanted to pursue this, you would have to consider a small claims action and seek damages. As the case would be settled on the balance of probabilities, you might win. But then again you might not. Only the judge would know.

Personally I would try to get them to at least meet you halfway on the bill. It's better than nothing, and more than you have right now.

sav86

If its not on your paperwork you signed when you bought the car (along with all the other terms, conditions, extras etc) then you're going nowhere in all likelihood.

However, ask to speak to the sales manager and see if they recall it. If its something they often offer in a sale they will probably stand over it.

In my experience the service dept will bill the sales dept for this type of thing so the service dept will be less likely to help you solve it.