What can I do?

deva1987uk

Morning everyone.

I purchased a car (a cheap swap) from my local small dealer on the 30th June 2011 - on the basis that it had a full MOT and was supposed to be safe.

Within the first 2 days, I noticed a massive puddle of oil underneath the car and I took it straight back. They kept in the garage for over a week, took them several attempts to fix it and it turns out the rocker cover gasket had blown.

I accepted the repairs and within a week again I started noticing another leak and a fault with 4th gear. So I took it back again - he fixed the leak saying it was gear fluid and it was normal for a 2002 reg car to leak gear fluid. Again I left it.

This weekend, I was driving up to Manchester and my car suddenly bounced out of 5th gear. Thought nothing of it until the next time I started the car and I kept hearing a horrendous noise in every gear. After that I thought I'll just get it home ASAP.

Luckily, I got within 5 mins of home before my engine totally cut out and threw me into a kerb at 45mph (60mph carriageway). I went to use the hazard lights and they didn't work!! It could of very nearly been a massive accident.

I have whiplash and I do not want the car anymore. I had the car recovered to the garage and now they are throwing the fact that they sold me the car as 'sold as seen' in my face. They said they will fix the damage as a good will gesture but it doesn't stop the fact that that car nearly KILLED me and my son. I told them I wanted a refund but they basically point blank refused - probably because they've already sold my old car.

I don't know what to do - can anybody help me?

misssarahleigh

Did they provide you with an MOT document?

Don't know alot about cars but my first question would be A. Was there a full MOT carried out and if so B. Would the problems you have had been noticed on an MOT?

Obviously is you get an independant report that states all/some of these issue's should have been apparent at time of MOT (if this tool place) then maybe you can catch them on that

deva1987uk

Yes the MOT document is there for this year. They performed it in May 2011.

The original oil leak was on the advisory note from the year before - but I think this years advisory note has been purposely left out. And I'm pretty sure that all lights - especially the hazard lights - have to be working for it to pass its MOT

misssarahleigh

deva1987uk wrote: »

Yes the MOT document is there for this year. They performed it in May 2011.

The original oil leak was on the advisory note from the year before - but I think this years advisory note has been purposely left out. And I'm pretty sure that all lights - especially the hazard lights - have to be working for it to pass its MOT

I agree on that. Hazards certainly have to work!

Does sound like they are pulling a crafty one!

Not sure on what you have to do now. Somebody will be along in a min to advise on trading standards/VOSA and ask more questions.

deva1987uk

Main thing that bothers me is the fact my 16 month old son was in the car. Would of kept my old shed of a car if I knew this was going to happen lol at least that was safe!

mambo69

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539

enter the number of the MOT or your V5 and you can check if any advisory were issued

deva1987uk

Thanks for that...
This has proved an interesting find! This is from the MOTs from 2009 & 2010.

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1b)

Advisory note

Oil leak

Oil low

Then mine says nothing... They just magically go away over night then? lol

misssarahleigh

deva1987uk wrote: »

Thanks for that...
This has proved an interesting find! This is from the MOTs from 2009 & 2010.

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1b)

Advisory note

Oil leak

Oil low

Then mine says nothing... They just magically go away over night then? lol

It would at least give you grounds to suggest that they were aware of the issues. They will no doubt reason that they fixed these before the sale!!

Out of interest (although not the point) what type of car and what price did you pay?

deva1987uk

It was a Renault Clio and I gave them a 52 plate Vauxhall Astra and £300

visidigi

that makes the validity of the MOT questionable. These faults still all exist even with a new MOT - I would be advising your seller that if they do not refund you will report the MOT test to VOSA.

deva1987uk

Just been to check on their progress and its not very much! lol. They have installed the new gearbox but they have smashed one of my brake discs so they're having to be replaced along with the hazard lights switch, so probably without a decent car until Thursday now. At least they've given me a courtesy car this time