Do we have a right to repair?

MJMoore

Hi all, would be grateful for any advice. We've just bought a second hand car from a garage. The first morning I drove it, I realised the front windscreen heater wasn't working properly.. I would say only about 30% of the elements work, and even then it's very slow.

Hubby has been over to the garage today, and they say it's not under the warranty, so there's nothing they can do.

As it's a feature of the car, do we have any rights when it comes to repair.. should we be able to expect it to work?

Thanks for any advice.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

rear screen element? not front yes?

scheming_gypsy

Not 100% sure but my take on it would be that it's a second hand car and not a major element of the car but a 'feature' as you say. With second hand cars you can't expect them to be perfect, whether it'd be covered by a sale of goods act when it's an extra rather than an important part of the car to work - i'm not sure.

erreert

On the one hand it is a second hand car, on the other you bought it from a dealer. They sometimes offer special guarantees on the used cars they sell, which is worth checking. Otherwise I don't think you would be entitles to get it mended.

NiallB

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

rear screen element? not front yes?

Not necessarily, Fords with Climate pack have an element-heated windscreen. My g/f's Focus can beat me out of the drive by a good 5 minutes in winter :-)

Hammyman

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

rear screen element? not front yes?

They mean front screen element. My Ford Mondeo has a heated windscreen as do many Fords...

NiallB

Hammyman wrote: »

They mean front screen element. My Ford Mondeo has a heated windscreen as do many Fords...

I kept you a seat dude

oldhand

Hammyman wrote: »

They mean front screen element. My Ford Mondeo has a heated windscreen as do many Fords...

wish you had said a renault,then I could have added "so you can push them from either direction";)

MJMoore

Thanks - yes, it's the front windscreen. I had one on my slightly newer Fiesta (which my hubby is now driving) and it's so useful in the mornings, so we were specifically looking for one. It's just frustrating, as we turned down one car without.. and now it looks as if we may have to pay out nearly £500 for a new one.

zappahey

MJMoore wrote: »

, so we were specifically looking for one. (heated screen)

Did you tell the dealer that this was why you were buying it and, if so, do you have a witness?

You may have an argument that it's not fit for purpose if you specifically told him that was what you wanted.

MJMoore

Yep, the salesman was aware, and hubby was with me.