Used car advice - HELP PLEASE!

BaconandEggs

Hi - after some advice please.
Bought a used car a bout 4 month ago.
Around 3 weeks ago noticed a problem. Had RAC out - and took to my local garage following day.
Garage attempted repair (£120). Took back 1 week later. Still a problem (they did warn me it may not sort problem).
Contacted dealer purchased car from. He asked me to take it to him. I did and he attempted repair. Charging for parts and not labour (£100).
The problem is still there. Better but still there.

I would like to know what my rights are with respect to a used car purchase, and specifically my situation.

I assumed that once you drive away in a used car without warrantly you have no rights. I was sort of grateful for the dealer not charging me labour.

However, it appears that according to the Sale of goods act 1979 - I may have had more rights that I assumed.

Am I entitled to a refund? If a partial refund, how is this calculated? What would you do?

I would obviously like the problem sorted - hence to multiple attempts at getting it fixed. However I have lost faith in the vehicle and I am wondering what other related or underlying problems may also be present.

If I had known that I was entitled to a refund, I may have returned to the garage as soon as the problem came to light. However - I was not aware - so I am trying to make the best of the situation at present.

Advice much appreciated.

vax2002

Describe the problem + model of car

BaconandEggs

Does this have a bearing on the situation?
I would like to avoid being identified if possible.

BaconandEggs

By the way - thread title should be: advice not adive

shaun_from_Africa

I would like to avoid being identified if possible.

There is no way that you could possibly be identified just by giving the model of car and the type of problem.
This info could make a big difference as to the advice given as it might have a bearing on whether the fault is due to wear and tear, if it's a known problem etc.

gordikin

BaconandEggs wrote: »

By the way - thread title should be: advice not adive

Change it then.

The model, how old the car is and what the fault is would be helpful.

BaconandEggs

Make: Ford. Model: Focus.
Problem. Water in the spark plug well.
Potential cause suggested by RAC man: Faulty core plug.
My local garage replaced both core plugs - they were corroded. They warned me that the engine head may need to be replaced if water still present (estimate £800).
Since water was still present a week later, returned to dealer for repair. He had engine head tested. No defects. Replaced core plugs stating that they were leaking and alot of sealant present for fix at local garage.
Collected recently and water is present near spark plugs. Much much less, but it is still there.
After researching the topic in more detail I found out that the washer jets on this particular model are faulty. Water leaks from the top of the bonnet onto the battery casing and above spark plugs. This probably caused the initial water to be present, corroding the core plugs (the local garage fix may have been sound but water would have got in when it rained/washers used).
I investigated this further and indeed, there is water under the bonnet directly under washer jets after rain.
We've been getting fairly stressed with the situation - so I investigated further in an attempt to sort.
There is a really useful thread on the ford owners forum where someone describes a fix. I proceeded with this.
It consisted of the following: 2 new washer jets ordered from ford £5. Fitted (myself), along with silicone grease.
This has almost solved the problem in that water doesn't appear to drip on to the spark plugs when it a) rains or b) washers used.
However, the passenger side jet still appears to be leaking onto the battery cover in both cases.
I was thinking or trying to add more sealant and refitting tonight.
However, a friend at work is astonished at the effort I've gone to - stating the sale of goods act and that he would have simply returned it at the onset of the problem for a full refund.

What do you think?

I can add any more detail where required.

Many thanks.

BaconandEggs

gordikin wrote: »

Change it then.

The model, how old the car is and what the fault is would be helpful.

How do you change the thread title?: found how to do this thanks

BaconandEggs

The way I see it is that I have 3 POTENTIAL OPTIONS (not all may be possible):

1: Try to fix it myself - once fixed put up, shut up, be happy. (This would leave the option open to trade in (which will result in a big loss) or private sale).
2: If I can't fix it myself - a) take to local garage to see if they can - which will cost. or b) take back to dealer - which may also cost. No guarantee it will be fixed.
3: Go back to dealer and ask for refund?

Note: I've already asked him in passing how much it would cost to swap. Firstly, there are few cars in the dealership that are of a similar price (all much cheaper or MUCH more expensive). Ones that are in the same price range are not suitable or not what we were looking for. Secondly, he quoted that he would give £500 less that we bought the ford for as trade in. This would result in us paying a couple of hundred pounds for a older, cheaper car (total loss £700).

Equaliser123

BaconandEggs wrote: »

.
However, a friend at work is astonished at the effort I've gone to - stating the sale of goods act and that he would have simply returned it at the onset of the problem for a full refund.

What do you think?

I can add any more detail where required.

Many thanks.

I think your friend doesn't know what he is talking about.

You wouldn't be able to reject the car after this period of time and with such minor defects.

How old is it?

BaconandEggs

It is 6 1/2 years old.

It definitely helps writing things down. My concerns can be boiled down into 2 questions:

1) Which options in thread number 9 are possible and which should I go for?
2) Should I have been charged for the work done on the vehicle by the dealer?