Vauxhall Meriva 2004/5 ex mobility...

Gillyo_2

I bought the above car in March with 12 months warranty, 30.000 on the clock, bought it from our local Vauxhall dealers. Four months after driving it, it died on me, the temp gauge was faulty plus the main water hose was fitted incorrectly. After just over 2 months I have my car back (new cylinder head and gasket, water pump and EPU (?) The dealer paid for all the repairs.
One week after having it back, i have today taken it back to the dealer because when I went to start the engine after driving it a short while, I could hear a clunking sound coming from the engine area, I thought I was it was my imagination! and turned the key again only to hear the same sound. The engine did run but I am now at the point of not wanting to drive the car, due to the problems I am having!
I remember when the head mechanic phoned me after putting in a new c'head, he said it started ok but when they went to start it again, it made a clunking sound! They said they would keep the car a bit longer and sort it out.
I spoke to the dealer today and explained I am not happy with the car, I'm in need of a reliable one, not only for me but for my mother as I am her main driver. She spends no end of time at the hospital/dr's, she can't get around without me due to her health problems.
Where do I stand as far as requesting another car, one that is fit for the purpose, like for like or total refund?
Many thanks
Tricia

custardy

so the car has had 2 faults in 6 months?

andygb

Tricia, I would advise that you have the car independently inspected (RAC or AA perhaps), because this is not acceptable. The faults are not minor ones, and there certainly should not be any noise coming from the engine. This is a low mileage car with a 12 months warranty, I would get something done ASAP well within the warranty period.
Good luck,
Andy

custardy

andygb wrote: »

Tricia, I would advise that you have the car independently inspected (RAC or AA perhaps), because this is not acceptable. The faults are not minor ones, and there certainly should not be any noise coming from the engine. This is a low mileage car with a 12 months warranty, I would get something done ASAP well within the warranty period.
Good luck,
Andy

the noise is coming from the "engine area"
meaning it could be as simple as a loose item or mount

Gillyo_2

custardy wrote: »

the noise is coming from the "engine area"
meaning it could be as simple as a loose item or mount

Ohhhh I do wish I could record the sound on here clunking/grinding sound:eek:

custardy

Gillyo wrote: »

Ohhhh I do wish I could record the sound on here clunking/grinding sound:eek:

a loose engine/gearbox mount can cause just that as the gearbox drops onto the driveshaft

Gillyo_2

andygb wrote: »

Tricia, I would advise that you have the car independently inspected (RAC or AA perhaps), because this is not acceptable. The faults are not minor ones, and there certainly should not be any noise coming from the engine. This is a low mileage car with a 12 months warranty, I would get something done ASAP well within the warranty period.
Good luck,
Andy

Thanks for the reply Andy, I agree with the low mileage. Funny thing is when I went to collect my car at the beginning of this week, I said to the head mechanic, " The problem I have is, what if something else goes wrong within the the warranty period?" to which he replied, "Well, you did purchase an older car" I'm like, well excuse me, with very low miles and when I was considering purchasing it, no one mentioned to me it was an older car! Anything for a sale I guess.

custardy

Gillyo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Andy, I agree with the low mileage. Funny thing is when I went to collect my car at the beginning of this week, I said to the head mechanic, " The problem I have is, what if something else goes wrong within the the warranty period?" to which he replied, "Well, you did purchase an older car" I'm like, well excuse me, with very low miles and when I was considering purchasing it, no one mentioned to me it was an older car! Anything for a sale I guess.

low miles isnt always best
my last car but one was a low mileage FDSH history car
the gearbox blew up without warning
a low mileage car is often used for short journeys,doesnt heat up to optimum temps etc
so a low mileage car can have its own problems
its an older car as its 5+ years old

Gillyo_2

custardy wrote: »

so the car has had 2 faults in 6 months?[/QUOTE
Yes, the first fault was 5 months, 2 months to repair, second one was a week after the repairs.

Gillyo_2

custardy wrote: »

so the car has had 2 faults in 6 months?

I shall see what Monday brings, hopefully they won't take too long to check it out.

andygb

custardy wrote: »

the noise is coming from the "engine area"
meaning it could be as simple as a loose item or mount

One would have hoped that a Vauxhall dealer ("Stealer") could have eliminated these faults then, or am I being a tad over optimistic?