Are motor traders required to honour their warranty?

puc

I bought a used car from a local trader at the beginning of Nov and he issued me with a 3 month warranty. the next day i noticed that the rear wiper wasnt working and called him. one of his mechanics diagnosed a faulty wiper motor and he promised to order a replacement. i''ve been calling once or twice a week since then and have been fobbed off with a variety of excuses, one of which was that the motors were on long back order from the manufacturer. this is rubbish as a local audi dealer could supply me within 24 hours.

is there anything i can do or is the warranty not worth the paper its written on?

thanks

Gordon_Hose

You could wait for the part to come in. Maybe he doesn't get his parts from the local dealer, as it's cheaper to get it from the manufacturers direct?

How much does the part cost?

puc

ta for the reply but i think thats just an excuse, the motor is about £85 +vat. one minute he tells me its on back order, then he tells me he keeps forgetting to order it. i even told him where i could obtain one next day but he didnt call them. i offered to get the part for him but he said he couldnt refund the cost. all the time my so-called warranty is about to expire.

Strider590

If you've put your complaint in writing he can't wriggle out of it no matter how far past the expiry date it passes.

Inactive

Strider590 wrote: »

If you've put your complaint in writing he can't wriggle out of it no matter how far past the expiry date it passes.

Agreed, the OP needs to get dated proof of reporting the matter.

iolanthe07

He'll try and drag it out until a) you get fed up or b) he can convince you that the car has gone out of warranty. Most car dealers, especially those at the bottom of the pile, will do anything to wriggle out of their responsibilities under warranties because it costs them.

puc

iolanthe07 wrote: »

He'll try and drag it out until a) you get fed up or b) he can convince you that the car has gone out of warranty. Most car dealers, especially those at the bottom of the pile, will do anything to wriggle out of their responsibilities under warranties because it costs them.

so a motor traders warranty is not enforceable then? could i get repairs carried out myself and pursue the trader for compensation perhaps through the small claims court?

esmerobbo

How did you pay? If through a finance or credit card company complain to them.

puc

i found out the dealer has gone bankrupt, explains why he was dodging my claim. anyway, i just bought the part and fitted it myself. thanks to everyone who offered advice.

vaio

as above, if you paid any part of the car with credit card (or finance or visa debit) then they will pick up the bill because the dealer has gone bust