Car Broke down after 2 weeks of purchasing from a dealership!!

asquiths_2

Hi all,

I purchased a used Vauxhall Zafira from Evans Halshaw on 13th August. We needed a bigger car as we have 5 young children.

Anyway it was driving ok i had no problems with it at first however I was only doing short journeys of no more than 20 miles at a time.
Then on BH Monday we went for a trip to the coast (approx 70miles). we got 4 miles from getting there when the car lost all power! the power steering cut out and 3 lights came on on the dash board. (the alternator light, The oil pressure light and the exhaust emmissions light). The engine stayed running so i was able to get the car to the side of the road.

Luckily a family member was following us so they came and had a quick look. I turned the ignition off, left it for 5 mins then turned it back on. All the lights went off and it seemed back to normal. I carried on to get to the coast so at least I could park up safely and stay somewhere if the problem re-occurred.

We decided to try get home as the problem hadn't re-occurred whilst at the coast. On the way home the same problem occurred twice!!. Again i managed to steer it towards the side of the road, leave it 5 mins then restart the engine.

I returned the car back to the dealer on tuesday morning and explained the problem. They told be to book it in with them and they'd have a look and let me know. I rang them wednesday morning to find out what was happening but they told me they had run a diagnostic test on it and it hadn't shown any problems!! Then they said they were taking it on a test drive to see if the problem happened. Sod's Law it didn't! They are now saying they are going to strip it down and check the mechanics and electrics to see if they can find anything.

What I'm wanting to know is what are my rights in this situation? My husband is self employed and uses the car for work so is unable to work! If they don't find the problem where do i stand? I'm not happy putting my children in the car as when the problem occurrs its dangerous and scary. Would I be within my rights to request the supply us with a courtesy car whilst they repair the other one? or maybe hire a car and bill them for it?

My husband has got 3 important jobs next week so we are needing a car for him to get them.

If they don't get to the bottom of the problem would i be within my right to ask for my money back on the car?

Sorry for the long post but i'm really getting frustrated. My husband only started his business on 1st July so can't afford to let customers down as this will be detrimental to him getting more custom.

Thanks in advance for any advice
Asquiths

Chimpofdoom

Is it a used car? Or brand new?

If it's used, how old?

asquiths_2

The car is a vauxhall zafira 2003 done 70.000miles paid 2700.

Hintza

The car is already past it's design life.

Anyway it sounds as if the dealer is doing all they can. Issues like this can be very hard to diagnose.

Why can't your husband hire a car in the meantime?

Chimpofdoom

Ok going to be really simple here, because my Astra 2002 does this trick on occasion....

Have you checked the oil recently?

If not, I reckon it's kicking into the engine protection mode.
I had a similar experience when leaving Edinburgh once, started accelerating, then suddenly (in the fast lane!) the car lost power, luckily I could get into a near by layby on momentum alone.

Lights were on, turned engine off, started up, got home and let it be, next morning before work, checked out various things and checked the oil.. guess what.. no oil..

asquiths_2

Just a quick update on the car. The garage contacted me at dinnertime today and told me they had found numerous faults on the car costing more than is worth carrying out. They have said to go down tommorrow where they will either find me another car or give me a refund.

Any recommendations on a 7/8 seater?

gabyjane

Just read this as we bought one last night..eeek! Have you had any luck finding another car yet?