Bought used car, now may have £500 bill

xzibit

I bought a new (to me, it's 4.5 years old) car last saturday. When I went to look at it, I said that as long as they changed the cambelt and tensioners, then I was happy to do a deal. As the cambelt change is a long job, as it's a big engine in a small car. (Clio Sport 172)

Anyway, I picked the car up from them, and there was a reciept from the cambelt change, and it works out approx. £200 for the job, as there were a few other little things done as well.

Anyway, I phoned the garage that had done the work, as I thought that £200 was a little cheap, as Renault charge about £650 for it, and I find out that they have only changed the belt, and not the tensioners!! Now, they need changing the same time as the belt, no question.

So basically, I have to get a new cambelt fitted, along with the tensioners, and also, I believe that an pulley bearing is on it's way out also. I have contacted a Renault specialist, who deals with the Sports everyday, and he's getting back to me with a quote, but I think it's going to be in the region of £400.

Has the car dealer that sold me this car any responsibility with this, or am I on my own? I don't want to send it back to them, to have them do it at the same garage, as basically, when I spoke to them, they didn't seem to know much about cars, which worried me.

Can I have it done at the place I am getting the quote, and have them compensate me fully, or even partially?! Or not.

The car came with a 2 year warranty, but this is not covered by the warranty, as nothing has broken (yet!).

If anyone has any advice I would be grateful. If I have to pay for it all myself, then I will, it's just I feel a little 'cheated' really.

xzibit

Take it that it's up to me then?

mr_accountant

contact consumer direct, they will give you the legal info required if the dealer is not willing to play fair.

I would have thought it’s a tricky one. I like you would want the tensioner and rollers changing as well as the belt, but the garage may say its not required, especially as it will save them a few quid.

Maybe ring Renault and ask their advice, if they request everything to be changed you have a strong case against the garage.

xzibit

I have checked with Renault, and they say that the tensioner/rollers should be changed at the same time, and the genuine renault kit comes with it all.

I haven't mentioned it to the garage yet, I thought I'd ask on here first and to see where I stand.

I thought about writing them a letter (so it's in writing as opposed to a phone call they could just ignore??!) stating that when I agreed to buy the car, I agreed on the principle that the cambelt/tensioners were done, but only the cambelt was done and that now I have to have it done at a cost to me of approx. £400 (though when I will wait till I have a quote).

Do I say that I would like them to pay for it? Or just hope they make a goodwill gesture?

mr_accountant

If you have Renault on your side, i think you may be in a good position, if you are still in speaking terms with he garage i would ring them and say you would like the job to be done correctly this time. If they refuse i would send a letter sent via recorded delivery suggesting small claims against them if they refuse- that may put their small brains into action!

Of course the only problem is if you have threatened them with court them may intentionally do some damage to your car so you have a problem in the future. If it was me i would have the work done elsewhere and bill them, but i believe you are required by law to give the garage the opportunity to correct their incompetence.

That is why before you take your course of action, contact consumer direct and trading standards for further advice.

Also may I recommend you post your query on www.honestjohn.co.uk, then go to the backroom, and post in discussion. Plenty of motoring experts who have been in this situation who will help.

plane_boy2000

Legaly I dont think you have a leg to stand on unless your purchase contact specifies that you were buying on the basis if the belt and tensioners being replaced. If its in writing then you have a case.

peterg1965

Have you got legal cover on your motor insurance policy? If so, use that to challenge the dealer. Make sure you have all your facts together and get the legal people on to it (if you have the cover of course).

xzibit

I have it in writing that it was meant to be done. I have sent them an email, stating that I think it is unnacceptable that it wasn't done when it was agreed it would be.

I do have legal cover, but I wouldn't have a clue where to start. And I really cannot be bothered with the hassle. This needs doing asap, like yesterday, and I cannot leave it until it has been through the courts.

If they don't offer to pay anything after my email, then I shall have to just pay up the £440. I really don't have the know how with all the legal terms, at the end of it I'm sure the garage will wriggle out of it somehow.

Cumbrian_Male

Did you pay cash or finance the vehicle?

Specifically hire purchase, if you did ring the finance company and tell them that the contract has not been fulfilled.

If not send a letter special deliveyr to the dealer principle stating the contract has not been fulfilled and you are rejecting the car.

Your contract was to supply car with new belt and tensioners.

You have it in writing the law is on your side.

xzibit

I paid cash for it. I have emailed them, I will await their response, and proceed from there. I asked for the tensioners also, and when phoning to see if the car was ready I asked if they had both been changed, and on the reciept it says about it. So we'll see.

xzibit

I have been speaking to the garage all afternoon. The manager isn't wanting to talk to me directly, so it's a conversation through the salesman!!

Basically, the reason they didn't change the tensioners as agreed, is because the garage that they took it to (who are a small mechanics garage) say the tensioners and associated items with the belt appear fine.

Now, personally, I cannot see how they can tell there are no hairline cracks, or any damage where they can not see, but this is what they say.
Even though Renault have told me that they would change them without question if they were doing the work, as it's not worth the risk. I have notified the manager of this, and that I bought the car on the basis this was done.

They will not pay for them to be done. They said they will take the car back, and refund my money, and give me my old car back, or nothing.

Now, unfortunately, it seems like I will have to pay for the work to be done. If I take the car back, I have the hassle of changing all the documents back, taxing it, getting a tax refund on the new car etc etc, then having to look for another car like the one I have. They know this is hassle, and is probably why they won't pay.

I am giving tradin standards / consumer advice a call later to see what they say, but I feel that they will say that as the garage has offered me my money an car back, this is good enough.

I knew I shouldn't have bought used. I have bought new for the last few cars, but thought to save money I would get an older car. Well that paid off, not.