Faulty brand new car - what are my rights?

jessicacox3

I wonder if someone would have some advise for me please, or has had a similar problem.

I bought a brand new Renault Megane on 31 March 2010, the car has been back to the dealer four times with an air conditioning/reverse parking sensor fault, where I have encountered numerous problems (shoddy service, dented back wing, no returned calls etc). The first time it went back to the dealer was just three weeks after I had bought the vehicle.

Yesterday, when I was happily driving along, a warning light appeared on the dash telling me that I must stop the car straight away due to battery failure, the car also really smelt of burning. I puled over and called the AA, who subsequently came out (within 30 minutes - great service) and found a snapped alternator belt (caused by being burnt). When I tried to drive the vehicle, followed by the AA man, back to the dealership, I was advised by the AA to stop the vehicle as it was dangerous and ended up being towed, in my 10 plate car, back to Toomey Renault. It was around 18.00 and the Service Department were not present so I have just left the keys with a Salesman and the car in the carpark with a big sign from the AA saying 'Do not drive this vehicle'.

I am obviously very stressed, upset and disappointed. My reason for purchasing a new car was that I wanted 'hassle free driving' and I have had nothing but stress. I am wondering if under my consumer rights, can I demand they provide me with a brand new vehicle, as my current car is obviously faulty?

Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Sarah

Hammyman

If you want hassle free driving, you need to forget buying new and buy one 12 months old where the previous owner has done all the "snagging". You can reject the vehicle under SOGA and demand a replacement or refund as they've tried multiple times to repair it and under 6 months, it is automatically assumed there was a fault at manufacture and they have to prove the fault wasn't due to that which they won't be able to.

iolanthe07

If you want hassle free driving, you need to forget buying new and buy one 12 months old If you want hassle free driving, you need to forget buying new and buy one 12 months old

Or buy Japanese/South Korean. Renault do not have a good reputation for reliability. You can reject the car, but it will be a hassle, and you have to give the dealer a fair opportunity to fix the problems first.

Inactive

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Or buy Japanese/South Korean. Renault do not have a good reputation for reliability. You can reject the car, but it will be a hassle, and you have to give the dealer a fair opportunity to fix the problems first.

Agreed...;)

Sooler

Some info here on the procedure to reject and in the PDF linked to on that page

http://www.whatcar.com/car-advice/buying/how-to-reject-and-complain/3141780

may be some advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor would be worth getting first so you can consider your options.

neilmcl

Have you spoken to Renault Customer Services about this issue?

sunnyone

I returned a 10 month old merc by rejecting it under the sales of goods act (after speaking to trading standards), I was daft and paid cash for the car which gave me less rights but I did get a full refund.

Trading standards should be your first port of call.

If you paid any part of the purchase price by credit card you have more rights and if its finaced the finance company should help you to sort out any disagreement with the garage you purchased it from but since I paid cash I dont have experiance of this.

Strider590

Sounds like it went in with an aircon problem, they (the 17yr old trainee mechanic on min wage) removed/replaced the auxilleries/alternator belt, probably tensioned it incorrectly and its spiralled from there really.

As mentioned above, if you want hassle free driving buy a second hand car less than 18 months old.

It's extremely similar to people who buy the latest generation mobile phones only to find they break every 5 minutes. Buy something that's had all the "bugs" ironed out.

jessicacox3

Thanks for all your help/advice. I am currently in the process of rejecting the car and have been to Citizens Advice for guidance, I think it is going to be slow process but fingers crossed for a positive outcome!

xycom1

If it's got any finance on it, then you are in a good position. Good luck, I would probably be pushing for a replacement vehicle if it was mine.