Can I reject New Car as being unfit to drive?

traceye

I bought a new Hyundai i30 1 year ago (1 yr and 1 week!). I rarely drive the car, and currently only done about 4000miles in it.

7 months after purchasing it (after 3000miles), the front windscreen wipers stopped working whilst out driving in the rain. I was advised to take it in to the local Hyundai garage for it to be fixed.

They claimed it was fixed, and 2 months later the same thing happened. Took it into a different Hyundai dealer who said that the first time it had happened, the 1st dealers had put a 30amp fuse in (instead of a 25amp). They had a quick look and yet again changed the fuse.

Again, 2 months after that it happened for the 3rd time. This time I told them I was not happy and spoke to head office. They changed the wiper motors, switches, fuses etc, and had the car for 5 days (and did some 30miles in the car!). I told them verbally I would reject the car if it happened again.

One week later, the same thing happened. They are yet again changing the motor. After speaking to head office, they have persuaded me (reluctantly) to allow them this last time to fix it.

If it goes again, have I a right to reject the car as being unfit for purpose ? If so, what are the rules in relation to this, and what am I entitled to ? I feel I should have the right to my full money back for the car - is this allowed, and would they grant this ?

The car has done 4000miles, and is mint inside and out. I got it on the scrappage scheme too.

Any help and advice would be gratefully received...

:money:

kwaks

Since when was a car over a year old still classed as new?

Sounds to me like Hyundai are doing their best to fix a problem, though I will admit changing the motor again seems unlikely to fix the problem. Possibly you have a short in the wiring somewhere?

traceye

Sorry what I meant was that I bought it new (with 5 yr warranty), and the first time it happened was when the car was only 7 months old, and as the problem has never been fixed.
They say they have changed the wiring too.....

Its dangerous when your driving 70mph in the hammering rain in the outside lane and the wipers just stop!! Im reluctant to let them have yet a 5th go at repairing (at two seperate garages) as Im scared to drive it long distance in case it goes again.

geo555

You can only reject a new car within 14 days. The items are being repaired under warranty and that is all they are obligated to do.
You could may be push them to give you a free service for your inconvienenice.

vaio

geo555 wrote: »

You can only reject a new car within 14 days. The items are being repaired under warranty and that is all they are obligated to do.
You could may be push them to give you a free service for your inconvienenice.

That’s not true, the law says you have a “reasonable” time to reject, whether now is still reasonable is another matter although if I’d sprung for a new car that developed what appear to be un-resolvable dangerous intermittent faults so soon I’d not be a happy bunny either.

OP….If it blowing fuses then it can only be switch, wires or motor. If they have changed all those already then maybe they need to take it to an electrical specialist.

Does it have a rear wiper? Fed off the same fuse? Anything else off the same fuse? Any clever stuff like rain sensors?

traceye

vaio wrote: »

Does it have a rear wiper? Fed off the same fuse? Anything else off the same fuse? Any clever stuff like rain sensors?

Yes it has a rear wiper which is a different fuse and always works when the front one fails. No it doesnt have any rain sensors.

Surely they are not allowed to put a 30amp fuse in a 25amp slot ?(thought this could catch fire).

Ideally I would want it fixed and to keep the car, but Im not convinced that they can fix it after 4 attempts. Im frightened of driving it to a weekend away, in case i get caught out with the wipers and have to have the car recovered and brought back from my weekend away!

Thanks for everyones comments

vaio

Whilst not ideal 25 to 30 isn't really a big deal. 5 to 30 would be.

On the fault, have you documented it all? what do head office say?

traceye

vaio wrote: »

Whilst not ideal 25 to 30 isn't really a big deal. 5 to 30 would be.

On the fault, have you documented it all? what do head office say?

Head Office said I should give them ample chance to fix it. My argument is that 3 times was enough, but 4 times is plenty so if it happens again, I want my money back.. They said I would have to put this in writing.

Yes Ive documented it all, but not sent them full documentation yet.

Not sure if I would get all my money back, in which case I'd be at a loss straight away.

Lum

Pretty sure that as far as the sale of goods act is concerned, a car is no different from any other white good, especially in the case of a Hyundai:rotfl:

That said, actually getting this sorted under the sale of goods act is going to be a bit of hassle. Martin wrote a guide about it though. :money:


Out of interest, was there anything wrong with your old car that you scrapped?

traceye

Lum wrote: »

Out of interest, was there anything wrong with your old car that you scrapped?

no, there was nothing wrong with it in fact it never went into the garage.... I'd have it back any day!

although it was a VW, so perhaps you get what you pay for!

custardy

traceye wrote: »

I bought a new Hyundai i30 1 year ago (1 yr and 1 week!). I rarely drive the car, and currently only done about 4000miles in it.

7 months after purchasing it (after 3000miles), the front windscreen wipers stopped working whilst out driving in the rain. I was advised to take it in to the local Hyundai garage for it to be fixed.

They claimed it was fixed, and 2 months later the same thing happened. Took it into a different Hyundai dealer who said that the first time it had happened, the 1st dealers had put a 30amp fuse in (instead of a 25amp). They had a quick look and yet again changed the fuse.

Again, 2 months after that it happened for the 3rd time. This time I told them I was not happy and spoke to head office. They changed the wiper motors, switches, fuses etc, and had the car for 5 days (and did some 30miles in the car!). I told them verbally I would reject the car if it happened again.

One week later, the same thing happened. They are yet again changing the motor. After speaking to head office, they have persuaded me (reluctantly) to allow them this last time to fix it.

If it goes again, have I a right to reject the car as being unfit for purpose ? If so, what are the rules in relation to this, and what am I entitled to ? I feel I should have the right to my full money back for the car - is this allowed, and would they grant this ?

The car has done 4000miles, and is mint inside and out. I got it on the scrappage scheme too.

Any help and advice would be gratefully received...

:money:

even if you did get a refund,it wouldnt be full
you have had a year of use from the car
personally i feel you are being unreasonable
its a fault the dealer will rectify