What is Considered Reasonable Length of Time?

Shamanic

Long story cut really short, we got a car at the beginning of May. Secondhand £3000. It broke down quite severely within the first 2 weeks. Dealership fixed that under the warranty at the time although there was little communication with us about what the problem was etc. We have still never seen a copy of the invoice or anything regarding what work was carried despite asking for it. Verbally have been told it was head gasket, timing belt and water pump.
Started making a funny noise and smoking quite heavily. Now outside warranty time. Took it to a garage for a diagnostic. He says that it needs the tensioner, timing belt etc replaced, possible the piston rings although he can't tell that without stripping the engine fully down (looking at £1500 just for that). Also brake discs severely corroded.

We are now in dispute with the garage as I believe under the Sales of Goods act that this car wasn't fit for purpose and certainly hasn't lasted a reasonable length of time. They are saying that 3 months is a reasonable length of time. Is 3 months really a reasonable length of time for a £3000 car?

This issue is stressing me out quite badly, suffering from a lack of sleep. I don't want compensation, just money back. If this goes further though I will push for compensation...should I proceed or just give up.

mrcow

Have you contacted trading standards?

Citizens Advice consumer service

08454 04 05 06 Citizens Advice

Shamanic

Yes I have. They have told me to formalise the complaint in writing etc. He said we might have a case with regards to reasonable length of time, just wanted to make sure that I am not !!!!ing in the wind so to speak...I would have expected a £3000 to make it to it's first MOT...

spiro

If you look here http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/search.htm?query=used+car and select 'Secondhand cars' it says 6 months so as you have only had the car for 3 months I would say you may have a case for them to have to deal with it.

AlexisV

It depends if the new fault is directly related to this 'mystery fix' they carried out.

There should be 6 months on the labour of this new work, and years on the actual parts.

I'd talk to your new garage and tell them the tensioner, belt and water pump were replaced in May and what is their opinion of its influence on the new problems.

Shamanic

@Spiro...thanks for that link, have been searching for that kind of information. Some very good stuff in there that actually backs up our claim. The bit about the repair that turns out to be unacceptable for example.
@Alexis...I told the garage that when I took it there. He believes they put the old tensioner back on and didn't replace. He said they haven't carried out the work the way he would have done it. He said that they probably did the bare minimum to get the car going, which of course they are saying not because it cost £900.