Used car of non satisfactory quality + faults

unlocated

Hi,

I am in the middle of a complaint with a dealer and I'm not sure which way to follow. I would like to receive legal help for this but am not sure where could I get it for (yeah that word that shouldn't go with "legal") free.

I have bought a car less than 1 month ago and this proved to have various problems: the diver's door does not fit properly (when closed it is a few cms higher than the roof - compared to the other one). plus the corner started taking off the paint from the roof. the door has also a crack between the inside and outside.
The other major problems are that the boot doesn't lock, the passenger's seat doesn't slide easily and blocks unusually, the driver's seatbelt (!) does not always unfasten correctly - so a couple of attempts are needed.

steps taken so far:
- I wrote a letter to the dealer (under guidance of consumer direct) asking for full refund referring to the sale of goods act
- they replied saying won't refund but suggest to bring the car to a garage to sort the issues within the warranty they provided with (but that does not cover everything!). - Furthermore they do not seem able to recognise their liability in relation to the sale of goods Act.
- Contacted consumer direct again but they passed the info to trading standards but I haven't been contacted since.

I know I could go through the small claims court but it is quite a last resort.. I thought to go through the chargeback scheme with VISA debit (I paid by card): they need an independent report to prove the faults were there when I bought it. They said it should take 1 month approx. (and it's not the best thing as I need the car for work and stuff)

Does anybody has any experience with the chargeback? How is it likely to be successful given the conditions of the car?

What you reckon is the best way to proceed? I would like to have a quick solution of the issues, possibly with either another used car or a repair that has been taken to good standard (and not a cheap repair by the dealer!)

thanks,
Unlocated

paddedjohn

Why havnt you taken the car back for the dealer to repair? Thats your first port of call.

Did you actually look at the 'used' car before you bought it?

motorguy

unlocated wrote: »

the diver's door does not fit properly (when closed it is a few cms higher than the roof - compared to the other one). plus the corner started taking off the paint from the roof. the door has also a crack between the inside and outside.
The other major problems are that the boot doesn't lock, the passenger's seat doesn't slide easily and blocks unusually, the driver's seatbelt (!) does not always unfasten correctly - so a couple of attempts are needed.

Firstly, tell us more about the price / age / etc of the car you bought.

Secondly, lets look at the problems individually :-

the diver's door does not fit properly (when closed it is a few cms higher than the roof - compared to the other one). May well just need adjusting. 10 minute job.

plus the corner started taking off the paint from the roof. Needs touched in with a touchup. £5 and a 10 min job.

the door has also a crack between the inside and outside. ? Not sure on this from description but resolvable.

The other major problems are that the boot doesn't lock, the passenger's seat doesn't slide easily Needs the runners greased. Booklock possibly siezed - does it work off central locking?

the driver's seatbelt (!) does not always unfasten correctly - so a couple of attempts are needed. Needs adjusted.

Seriously. There is probably a couple of hours labour and maybe £10 cost here.

WHY did you simply not drop back to the dealers and ask them to take a look?

ALSO, NONE of these sound like anything other than wear and tear on a used car.

WHY are you wanting to make such a big fuss?

Your approach so far seems like a fantastic way to get the dealers back up...

Gordon_Hose

You can't request a refund straight off. You have to give them the option to repair it, if they can't fix it they can replace or refund you.

As far as I can see they have done everything correctly by offering to repair it. If you do take them to court you won't win, as they done what is requested of them under the SOGA.

maxheadroom

Has this car been in a crash and poorly repaired with quite a few things out of alignment and 'crack in door'? poorly fitted new skin.

Hintza

So to cut out the bull; OP bought car doesn't like it and wants money back.

Wh05apk

If the door is a couple of cm's higher than the roof, surely this was obvious when you looked at it? when you test drove it, was there not a whistling noise from it?

Ranger8

To be honest they`re all very minor problems of a used car and as suggested earlier easily fixed.
They must`ve been apparent when you first viewed the car and should`ve asked for them to be rectified before accepting the car.

Empty_pockets

How much did you pay for the car?

less than £500?

maninthestreet

A door that was 2cm higher than the roof would stick out like a sore thumb - how could the OP have missed that if they had inspected the car prior to purchase?

AndysDad

Ranger8 wrote: »

To be honest they`re all very minor problems of a used car and as suggested earlier easily fixed.
They must`ve been apparent when you first viewed the car and should`ve asked for them to be rectified before accepting the car.

You sound like a car dealer yourself if you reckon a door 2cms higher than the roof is a 'minor Problem'