Sold a faulty car from a Nationwide dealer

graceandowen

Hiya I am desperate for some help..

We pruchase a 03 plate vauxhall zafira from our local bristol st motors.
It is on a finance agreement and came with 3 months warranty.
In the first month it broke down, the car made a buzzing sound when accelorating and then the engine management light came on, then loss of power.
We took it back and it was 'repaired'
1 month and a half later the exact same symptoms happened, again took it back and they said it was a different fault, I asked if I could return the car at this point and was told they needed 3 strikes before considering any such action.
I said i was concerned and could warranty be extended they said no and assured me it was fixed, well 2 days after the warranty expired the exact same has happened again.
They will not repair the car without charging me, nor will they take the car back,, the only option they said I have is to take out a larger finance and part exchange the car for a more expensive one from them
I dont want to do this and I am refusing to pay for the repairs.
They said I have no leg to stand on due to the warranty expiring.
Tried to speak again with the manager who wont return my calls
the bristol st motors complaints department were contacted on the second occasion as I lost a considerable amount of money due to purchased tickets for a show and not being able to go,, I contacted complaints department 3 times then and never heard back from them..
Any ideas on where I stand with this please?

graceandowen

Just found this on cit advice page
'If you take the vehicle back within six months of buying it, the dealer should accept that there was a problem when the vehicle was sold and offer to repair or replace it. If the dealer doesn't accept that there was a problem when the vehicle was sold, they will have to prove this.'

If I quote this what do you think they will say???

italiastar

I've done a quick search and found this -

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?224377-Buzzing-sound-when-accelerating

I think it will be worth checking your legal position with Consumer Direct - the fact that this problem occurred twice within the warranty period may give you rights. I'm not sure if what you've found applies as it may only apply to new cars. As found above, there is a chance that this is a known fault, although I doubt the dealership or Vauxhall will help you - The dealers and manufacturers I've dealt with in the past are of no help in similar situations. The fact that you are dealing with a larger well known retailer is no guarantee of a better car, but gives you a better position if you do need to take it further. Check your house insurance or motor cover - it may give you legal advice cover. Also you may be able to contact the previous ovner through the DVLA or documents to have to see if the fault pre-existed. Good Luck!

moneyclaim_2

Hi

I have had similar problems with a small car dealer. I brought a ford fusion and it didnt run well. I took it to an independant garage who advised the fuel injectors needed to replaced. I went back to the dealer who agreed to do the work and charge me for it. Needless to say the work was never done. The car dealer would not give me my money back for the reapir work or pay for the car to be properly repaired. I contacted consumer direct who advised that I could make a money claim to get all of my cost back and reject the car. They gave great advice and quoted the various sale of goods act. They also advised that as I paid via credit card I could hold the card company jointly liable.

In short I have persued a claim via the money claim online facility and was surpised how easy it was. The only problem I have now is my judgement was issued and a warrent sent to a local court to order the dealer to refund my money but I havent heard anything.

I would contact consumer direct and following their advice put your complaint in writing cc it to your local trading standards and to Vauxhall's head office. Do this sooner rather than later as the whole process can drag on.

MrRedundant

Amazing. A 7 year old car develops a fault.
Cars develop faults and need maintainance.

shaun_from_Africa

Amazing. A 7 year old car develops a fault.

I don't think that the OP is disputing this fact.
Their problem is that the fault originally occurred whilst the car was under warranty but it doesn't appear to have been repaired correctly as the same fault has now appeared 3 times.

forgotmyname

Bristol street Birminham were not much better, Sisters W reg focus diesel took a dislike to the motorway.

Broke down the 1st time & got towed in said it was a sensor at fault, Few weeks later it did it again, This time
she spotted the temp guage had risen very quickly before cutting out. New temp sensor and thermostats.

3rd time it did it i was driving, Spotted bubbling in the expansion tank and low water level. Got towed to a nearby
petrol station & removed the cap to a very loud hiss and bubbling in the tank. Got it towed to Bristol street motors.
And left it there and picked my car up instead.
She phoned monday AM and was told it wouldnt be looked at until that afternoon, Next day they called and said its fixed,
I went with her and they told us it was a faulty cap. I thought no way. Took the guy out with me and checked it was cold,
took the cap off and it hissed strongly. Started the car up and the water bubbled. Is that normal i asked?
He went off to get someone else to look at it. Usless.

Turned out to be a dodgy headgasket.