Returning a car bought on finance

sam_temple

We bought our first car on finance a couple of months ago and have had a nightmare with the car and the retailer, Drive Better for Less, ever since.

DBFL are a sourcing company sell themselves on the fact they will only purchase car with a full history and will do any reburbishing that is required because the buyer cannot view the vehicle until after it has been purchased, and they will supply the vehicle with a full service and full MOT, 3months warranty and a courtesy car if we have to bring the car in.

DBFL have reneged, or at least tried to, on evey aspect of the sale apart from supplying the car. Neither the MOT or service was done to a professional standard and they no longer offer a courtesy car. They have refused to complete the agreed refurbishement because they said they spent more than they intended on the vehicle at auction and a discrepancy on the warranty info they sent meant they had to pay for over £1000 work they have had to do because they released the car to us knowing it was not running properly.I have completely lost all faith in this company and the reliabitity of the car I've just purchased.

I have already raised a request to cancel the finance but am allowing the finance company (First Response Finance) to try and resolve the issues in the meantime.

Do I have a right to cancel?

masterlumps

when you say the MOT was not done to a professional standard what do you mean?

sam_temple

I don't feel the MOT was done to standard as the windscreen wipers on the front driver-side had not met the windscreen for some time judging from the dirt and this was not even noted/advised on the MOT.

Incidentally, this business has been taken over from one who was closed down because they were doing dodgy MOTs. Same Landlord though. We didn't know this until after we got the car from them.

As far as the service, we were advised in writing and verbally that the car would have a 'full service' done but it had to go back to the garage within days as the car was idling wildly between 200 and 900 until the engine warmed up. I think they must have had it sitting idling for some time before we picked it up so we didn't notice it. The garage advised it appeared the filters had not been changed for 'some time'. It's always been my understanding that the filters would be changed as part of any full service.

I can't even advise what they've done to get the car working again because they have never provided written receipts or confirmation/guarantee of work done. I get a different excuse each time I request them, which is weekly.

Really appreciate any advice.....

Pete*G_4

Just write to them and tell them you want to return the car as not fit for purpose. Should be simple as the car was bought to be driven and you've had nothing but faults ever since.

I'd also getting on the phone to trading standards about DBFL, in fact it'd be the first thing I'd do, reporting how they're clearly not doing what they advertise as doing - oh and then get the MOT testing station reported to VOSA.

droodle

If you buy something over the internet and its not as described you have the right to return and get a refund, so i would imagine if you bought the car via a description in good faith, from a company then you would be entitled to return the car and cancel the finance if it did not match the details you were given. You should definitely go to trade and standards and citizen advice bureau.

sam_temple

Thanks for the advice all, I am awaiting a callback from the Finance company again today so I'm going to get 'the ball rolling'...!

Sandoval

masterlumps wrote: »

when you say the MOT was not done to a professional standard what do you mean?

Kicked the tyres and wrote out a pass certificate?

sheslookinhot

Yes, you need to ensure that this does not drag out. Be firm in any decisions you make. Put things in writing and use recorded delivery

sam_temple

Sandoval wrote: »

Kicked the tyres and wrote out a pass certificate?

Ha ha!! Yeah, one would think that's was what they did. They obviously didn't even turn the engine over or they would have seen and heard the idling going up and down.

They did manage to figure out the Satnav though and punched in their showroom co-ordinates so it shows on the screen...!

Hoof_Hearted

You have my sympathy but how can you buy a car without seeing it and trying it first? I wouldn't trust a car salesman/company with anything, although there are undoubtedly some good ones. Once a sale is made, they don't give a sh** and will do their best to wriggle out of anything.

sam_temple

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

You have my sympathy but how can you buy a car without seeing it and trying it first? I wouldn't trust a car salesman/company with anything, although there are undoubtedly some good ones. Once a sale is made, they don't give a sh** and will do their best to wriggle out of anything.

This has been a sharp learning curve for us. I always thought I was quite sensible and this all appeared above board. I even saw some parents from school getting a car from there too at the same time.
Thankfully we have bought on Finance so although it won't be smooth or easy we should be covered by law to return the vehicle.

Once again thanks for everyones support!