urgent help needed with new car purchase

northernsoul

Hi
On Monday 11th July i bought a 1 owner, 9 month old, 3000 mile Peugeot 308 Special Edition Millesim for £9000 from Arnold Clark, a large independent dealership . I was told it was a 1.6Vti and got a receipt stating it was a 1.6, but on Friday i found out it was a 1.4Vti engine. The 1.6 was £17000 new 9 months ago therefore i was saving £8000. The 1.4 was £16500 new. The dealer yesterday said he would give me my money back or suggested ( but at the moment its under discussion/negotiation) there was £200 difference in the cars. He said it was just a typo error. The deputy manager said he would speak to his boss on Monday and phone me back at 4.30. I am unhappy with the suggestion there is £200 difference as i thought i had saved £8000 and want the same saving on the 1.4. The price i paid for the car was very good for the 1.6 and still would be a good price for the 1.4, and the dealer said so. They said they would be able to still sell the car for £9000 or maybe more. This though, i feel, is not the point. They also say it would be very difficult to find another 1.6 of similar spec. They seem, at the moment, not willing to give me £500 (the difference between them new), but i want to save £8000 from new to be in the same position. I sold my previous car and cannot do without one as i would have a 1.5 hour journey by bus to work. Also on Monday at midday i have to renew my insurance! Could someone tell me what are my rights or what i could reasonably expect them to offer. I do not want to be without a car after Monday. Thanks for your help

stugib

You have the right to back out of the purchase because it was misdescribed or to renegotiate the price.

I don't really see the price difference when new, or the saving from the book price at new, as particularly relevant. The second hand price will depend on market conditions and other factors that affect the depreciation of models differently

pinkshoes

I'm confused as to why you are worrying about the difference in price when new!

The 1.6Vti is 120bhp, whereas the 1.4Vti is only 98bhp (so a bit of a wussy girls car!), so I'd be more annoyed about being given a car that doesn't perform anywhere near as well!

On the plus side, the 1.4 is only £125 car tax, saving you £40/year!

pendulum

If your not bothered about lack of performance then they've probably done you a favour by selling you the 1.4 version.
The dealer has been fair because he's offered you your money back. I'd take the £200, or, if I just didn't want the car, return it for the refund. Two reasonable choices. You pick!

northernsoul

Thanks for the replies. As for worrying (not really worrying though) about the difference in price when new, when i got the car as a 1.6 i thought - thats a very good deal, i have saved £8000 on a 9 month old car. Thats now not the case with the 1.4 unless they re-emburse me with £500 in money or goods I would rather have the 1.6 as the 1.4 does seem underpowered. Maybe they will find a similar 1.6 for me Doubt it though. Thanks again to everyone. Will see what happens in next few days.

hcb42

If there is only a £500 difference when new, it does not follow they should maintain that gap when used..(it's depreciated!)

pitkin2020

Yeah the new price has very little relevance on the used price, in fact the bigger engine cars tend to depreciate quicker!! Forget the new prices check out the used prices and see what they are going for and how much a difference there is now, as already stated the dealer has been fair and offered you your money back if you wanted.

payless

10 or 60 plate?

Care Millesim, as a special ed- ( effectively just a S with alloys) is unlikely to be worth resell much more than an S

Personally I would try and source a Sport...

and whilst at it, maybe a diesel. ( will cost more, but in short term will hold most of the diofference)

northernsoul

thanks for all the replies. The General Manager after speaking to his boss came back with an offer of just £150. They are doing it by the book and nothing else, and no thought of any goodwill payment for my disappointment. In Parkers guide the difference between 2 10 plates 1.6 and 1.4 is about £250 so with my newer 60 plate should be more, but of course they say they use Glasses guide. The General manager was out today but i spoke to the sales manager and have said if they give me 3 years free servicing (would cost me £350) i will keep the car, if not, they can have it back. Sales manager says he doubts i will get it, but the general manager will phone me tomorrow

Flyboy152

northernsoul wrote: »

Hi
On Monday 11th July i bought a 1 owner, 9 month old, 3000 mile Peugeot 308 Special Edition Millesim for £9000 from Arnold Clark, a large independent dealership . I was told it was a 1.6Vti and got a receipt stating it was a 1.6, but on Friday i found out it was a 1.4Vti engine. The 1.6 was £17000 new 9 months ago therefore i was saving £8000. The 1.4 was £16500 new. The dealer yesterday said he would give me my money back or suggested ( but at the moment its under discussion/negotiation) there was £200 difference in the cars. He said it was just a typo error. The deputy manager said he would speak to his boss on Monday and phone me back at 4.30. I am unhappy with the suggestion there is £200 difference as i thought i had saved £8000 and want the same saving on the 1.4. The price i paid for the car was very good for the 1.6 and still would be a good price for the 1.4, and the dealer said so. They said they would be able to still sell the car for £9000 or maybe more. This though, i feel, is not the point. They also say it would be very difficult to find another 1.6 of similar spec. They seem, at the moment, not willing to give me £500 (the difference between them new), but i want to save £8000 from new to be in the same position. I sold my previous car and cannot do without one as i would have a 1.5 hour journey by bus to work. Also on Monday at midday i have to renew my insurance! Could someone tell me what are my rights or what i could reasonably expect them to offer. I do not want to be without a car after Monday. Thanks for your help

As much as it pains to say, but I think that Arnold Clark are about right in their estimations in their offer of compensating you for the difference in the two. However, they are not showing any kind of contrition for their screw up. I think a gesture of goodwill on their part should be forthcoming, but this is Arnold Clarke we are talking about here. .