Had 2nd hand car for 3 weeks - fuel pump defective.

Rosschick_99

Help and advice please,

Bought a 2005 Citroen C8 50k for £7.5k. RAC came out to it as it wouldnt start and have said that the fuel pump has broken and now the driver's electric adjustable seat has packed in as well. Car came from a local dealer with 3mths warranty. Phoned them and said Re; fuel pump would cost £250+vat to repair and not covered on warranty as classed as wear and tear. Is this correct - we've only owned the car for 3 weeks and it's already been back to them previously to have one headlight washer replaced. Plus I've had to have a new tyre as well as it had a puncture.

Any advice would be v much appreciated - It should have been sold as in reasonable condition so should they fix both problems or could they say that both are wear and tear items? At the moment I'm quite tempted to ask for my money back, as I've been reading up on this model of car and they are notorious for fuel injection/pump problems which could amount to £3500+ costs!!

johnnyroper

I would have a read up on the sale if goods act as I am sure you gave a case for free repair or refund for car

Hammyman

Fuel pump isn't wear and tear. Brakes, clutches, fan belts and pretty much anything you'd expect to change in a service is wear and tear.

benham3160

Not to cast aspersions, but I've dealt with many "fuel pump" failures diagnosed by recovery guys, all credit to 'em, but more often than not it's not the fuel pump at fault.

Often they'll check the inertia switch, fuse than if they can't hear the fuel pump diagnose it as a fuel pump failure, which unfortunately is a very wide diagnosis.

Regards,
Andy

butterfingers40

The law says that if a car develops a fault within 6 mths of purchase its up to the seller to prove the faults where not there when it was sold. you have the right to reject the car.

benham3160

butterfingers40 wrote: »

The law says that if a car develops a fault within 6 mths of purchase its up to the seller to prove the faults where not there when it was sold. you have the right to reject the car.

"Did the car run when you drove it away?"
"Yes."
"Wasn't a fault with the fuel pump was there?"
"erm.... Guess not"

Regards,
Andy

mikey72

benham3160 wrote: »

"Did the car run when you drove it away?"
"Yes."
"Wasn't a fault with the fuel pump was there?"
"erm.... Guess not"

Regards,
Andy

Was the fuel pump on it's last legs and so bad it would fail completely within 3 weeks?
erm........ yes

But I agree with your other post about getting it checked out again though.

Hammyman

butterfingers40 wrote: »

The law says that if a car develops a fault within 6 mths of purchase its up to the seller to prove the faults where not there when it was sold. you have the right to reject the car.

Err, that's for a new car. The car wasn't new, it was 5 years old. It would be expected to have faults.

Hammyman

mikey72 wrote: »

Was the fuel pump on it's last legs and so bad it would fail completely within 3 weeks?
erm........ yes

But I agree with your other post about getting it checked out again though.

If a fuel pump was on its last legs, you'd hear it.

optimus_primera

Hammyman wrote: »

If a fuel pump was on its last legs, you'd hear it.

Not always, depends on whats wrong with it.

ENGINE_CENTRE

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but im guessing your going to have a snapped cam belt, your recovery man will have plugged his scanner in and come up with probably 2 faults, crankshaft/camshaft synchronisation and fuel pressure both are caused by the bottom of the engine still turning when the top isnt.
Regardless of this, get rid of this car asap if you can, if the only fault is the fuel pump this may develop in the near future to a faulty injector, I have changed many many engines in these cars because of failed injectors, the injectors become seized in the head and the only fix is removal of the engine.

good luck and regards peter