Bought a car now having problems with dealer

joannasmum

Hi

I really hope somebody can help me with this.

Last weekend we went to view a car at a garage, they were hard work from the start tbh and my gut instinct was to walk away but the car was a good price and everything we were looking for.

Before they would let us test drive the new car the salesman appraised our car by walking round it, at no time did he ask us any questions, didnt look inside it or start the engine. The only comment he made was that it was a nice car to which we of course agreed. We knew at this point that our car has a number of faults with the electrics and the engine management light is on but didn't offer the information as he didn't ask. He offered us £1600 trade in off the windscreen price of the newer car.

We went away to think about it and spoke to a friend who works in a car dealership and he agreed that this was a good deal so we went back and did the deal. We paid a £500 deposit and arranged to pick the car up yesterday.

Yesterday we went and completed the deal drove away with our new car and within 5 minutes the garage was on the phone saying that we had misled them and our trade in wasnt worth as much as they've paid for it and we would have to give them more money or return the new car!!

Do they have a leg to stand on? Can we tell them to get lost the deal is done? My husband is now worried sick that we don't actually own either car as the money was transfered by debt card and is still sat in our bank account. We've already had one sleepless night and could really do with some advice as to what to say tomorrow.


Please don't have a go at us not mentioning the faults I'm stressed enough as it is. I have never come across a garage that operates like this and tbh I thought they would just stick the old car in the auctions.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Indout96

Do they have a leg to stand on? Can we tell them to get lost the deal is done?

I cant see how they would have, they are the profesionals and should have found the faults, you did not try to hide them or mislead them (from what you have written)

mikey72

If you paid the screen price, less the trade in, they can't really complain. If you haggled, or beat them down more, they may be more agressive.

securityman

I would tell them that they can buy the car back off you, but the car has gone up by 50% if they want it.
See what they say to that.

motorguy

Its totally their fault for not checking the car.

They are the 'experts'.

They havent a leg to stand on.

scheming_gypsy

I'm sure they misled you about your new car and it's not worth as much as you paid..........

nelly12

This can be a difficult one as I have seen different adjudication on this exact scenario.

9/10 the law will be on your side as someone has already said, they are the experts. If they didn't properly check your car over and spot a warning light that was already on then you should be ok. (engine management systems can prove dates etc on most cars).

However 1/10 if your car has a serious mechanical fault that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive then you may be held liable subject to the wording of the dealers order form. ie if you have signed to say your vehicle is free from serious mechanical defect.

I would at this stage state your case that the salesman had your keys and adequate time to evaluate your vehicle. Stick to your guns and good luck. (I am ex motor trade at management level).

joannasmum

Thank-you all I feel abit better now. DH has also found that we have legal cover with the house insurance so he is going to give them a ring in the morning before he speaks to the garage.

colino

Your on safe ground, the garage acted stupidly or were incompetent and can't try and redress the balance now. Unfortunately, you will have to live with what you have. On no grounds go back and ask them to adjust, fix or otherwise repair any faults you may find. I have the feeling their agreived memories will be taken out quietly while they "fix" the problem!

Mallotum_X

Were you asked to sign anything about the condition of your trade in. If you signed that it was in full working order, but knew it had electrical faults then the garage has good reason to complain. However they would normally test the car they are taking in.

If they didnt ask you to confirm anything and just took it then its their bad luck for not checking what they were taking in.

EdGasket

and how many times do we read on here about people who, when the car was not what it seemed, take back their car to the dealer a day later, or whatever and are only offered a £1000 less than they paid, if they are offered anything at all. I would say the deals done and that's that. No need to argue with them afterwards.