depressed about car on (finance still)

pd52

ive been discharged 18 months, and i have a car on finance costing £145 a month over 3 years i have 2 years left. 40% apr

The car has been nothing but a problem since the day i had it, i travel 50 miles a day for work so rely on it. its diesel and does a good mpg.

I have no other debts just the car finance. i earn £1200 a month, but this bloody car is draining me financially big time, ive used all my savings (£600) fixing it and a month later something else goes wrong. I had a settlement figure and it £2400, i just want rid of the bloody thing, never ever have i had a car with so many expensive problems - power steering failure, brake problems , wheel bearing, electrical issues, the list is endless..

i know what is next to , cv joint, and rear wheel bearing and clutch.

the garage i use has told me its a lemon and to get rid asap infact everyone has, but how?!!

i rang the finance company and all they offered was that they could add on the cost of fixing things interest free at the end of my agreement, im just so down about this car its giving me sleepless nights and depression. at first when things went wrong the dealer (evans helshaw) fixed a few things.

Ineedaname

Did you buy the car new? If so, then why haven't you returned it to the dealer as a lemon? This does happen you know, that the odd car comes off the production line and is just a money pit from day 1. If you've got that many problems with a new car then you should be able to insist on a replacement.

Might be worth taking some advice on this, maybe a free half hour with a relevantly experienced solicitor would be worthwhile.

pd52

no it was used when i bought it((last year) a 07 reg with 64000 miles, now 12 months later it has 84000 miles

Ineedaname

I wouldn't know what to suggest then, unless you can sell it, pay off the HP and get something a bit cheaper. I am keeping an eye on Autotrader at the moment as I'll need to get a car next year. Have spotted some lovely small engine 5 door hatchbacks with less than 80k on the clock for under a grand!

kepar

Surely if the car is on HP then it is not the OP's to sell, it still belongs to the HP company.

debt_doctor

Hi,
Amost everything we buy has to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and last a reasonable length of time. Your credit provider may also be responsible for complying (and putting right) under these rules.
You should contact your local trading standards or consumer direct to discuss your issues and obtain further guidance on your rights.

DD

dojoman

How many times has it broken down in the 20,000 miles that you have driven it?

kepar

Did you get a 6 or 12 month warranty with it?

pd52

dojoman wrote: »

How many times has it broken down in the 20,000 miles that you have driven it?

purcahed car 01/10/10 with 64000 miles

3 weeks after owing it had to have the upper suspension done under warranty after finance company pushing them to do it

10 weeks the rear drums were leaking - paid for by myself

12 weeks £300 for cambelt and water pump change as 'they didnt know if it had been done'

dec car in garage because of engine mount - paid for by me

april '11 passanger side brake caliper broke and brake pad crumbled, AA called, unsafe to drive towed to garge in for 3 days had to have new pads and discs and caliper £ 400 , AA man took it apart at the road side and said it had been like that for a long time and someone had tried to bodge it together with a wrong sized bolt - paid for by me

August

Failure of reversing light, cooling fan and load cable to alternator , in garage for 3 days to have wiring replaced as coroded - £275 paid for by me

Now - power steering motor failure, not fixed yet due to price. (£600+)

Outstanding issues:

strange noise and vibrating from clutch when starting in 1st gear

squealing from engine when turning sharp right

passenger side rear - scrapping/ rubbing noise in left hand bends.


No warrenty except '30 day runabout warranty' from evans halshaw.

dojoman

WOW, it does look like you were sold a lemon, not sure on advice I can give, sorry. If you have documented proof of these faults, a call to your local trading standards my be worthwhile.

glasgowdan

Really sorry to hear this. I hope you can try and rise above it. I can't offer advice on the technical issues, but at times like this we need perspective, and a car is just a lump of metal at the end of the day. It is not a worthy cause to cause you so much grief.

If I were you I would look at selling it off, speak to the HP provider about that. Then I would use an independant local firm and buy a replacement, either on HP, or outright if it's a cheaper one.

I ALWAYS trust independants more than nationals, and always look for companies with a good website, a long trading history and a firm who actively gets involved in the local community (e.g. sponsor local football teams, do events at local fetes etc).

Chin up, it's just a car and you'll get past all the problems eventually.