Possibly sold accident damaged car by main dealer...

A13

Last October, I bought a used 2006 Audi A3 from a main Audi dealership. It was 'Audi Approved' and came with a years warranty at the rest.

When I drove home in it I noticed a rattle coming from the rear passenger side of the car, and noticed the passenger seatbelt adjuster was jammed. I took it to my local dealer and they sorted it out, but said the rear interior panel had been removed and forced back in place, breaking the clips.

I just left it and carried on until a couple of months ago my windscreen got a crack, auto glass came out and in his pre job check advised there was a significant respray over-spray and pointed it out, this was on the passenger side too.

Finally, a few weeks ago I had some privacy tint film applied to the rear. The technician afterwards asked if the car had been in an accident. He noticed the interior rear window Seal was not straight, there was weld speckle marks on the tail gate and a paint run along the edge of the window. I said I had suspicions but didn't know. I told him the car came from a dealership and he said I should get in contact with them.

I since looked closer and the rear passenger quarter and noticed bolt trim covers are missing, and the welding on that side is bumpy and not the same as the other. The rear light on that side is loose and again there is paint overspray. Both myself and the tint guy believe it has had a significant accident to the area with a poor repair.

I sent the manager at the dealer a letter and got a response saying there is no repairs against the chassis number and no insurance claims against it either. They want to take the car back and inspect it and rectify the issues. My question is, where do I stand on this? I wouldn't have bought the car if I'd known the cars history if it has in fact had an accident and I asked at the time if it had and the salesman said no.

Sorry for the long thread...

bod1467

Certainly sounds like it has been in an accident. However it might have been repaired "off the radar" thus why the dealership don't see any details on their systems about this.

That said, I believe you would have a strong case for returning the vehicle for a refund on the basis that you were mis-sold it in relation to the accident damage. There are 2 considerations though ...

1. It may be your word against theirs that no accident damage was a condition of purchase;

2. They can probably deduct an amount from the refund for your "usage" of the vehicle. If they do then expect in the region of 10% less.

mo786uk

If they were to offer a refund they can offer a aprtial refund - but I dunno if I agree with 10% or less as above. you will have had use of the car for aknost a whole year - so if it cost £4000 for exmaple then they would probably be within their rights to refund say only 3000 - obviosuly it depends on many variables but you get the picture.

bod1467

I based 10% on another (recent) car thread where a refund was given after about 9 months and a deduction of 8% was made.